This is now our 6th day at sea for Ben, Laurel, Chewy and Myself aboard the good ship Dorade, and she has done nothing other than please us so far. Our first four days out of Honolulu where dominated steady winds of about 18 knots and a lively sea state, that dwindled as we moved farther north, and away from hurricane Flossie’s angry seas. The first four days out where relatively comfortable, with the boat at a constant heal, and the soothing sound of the sea and the Dorades friendly creaking and groaning. Unfortunately it was rather wet on deck for that period, so we where forced to keep the hatches sealed, this led to somewhat humid conditions, but I am not complaining as I have been warned of the bitter cold winds that will great us as we reach the eastern edge of the Pacific High. Anyway, over the course of those first days we where able to make very good time, pushing almost due north, with wind angles sometimes allowing us to move farther east, towards San Francisco. As we approached the high, only two days ago we where greeted with dying winds, but an opportunity to open the butterfly hatches and allow the old girl to breath, if it does prove to be only for a short time. The high has also allowed us some of the pleasures you can only get on a delivery like this. This is highlighted by the past 24 hours, in which we have wrangled in two large Dorado’s. The first of which came last night as we enjoyed our first appetizers on deck, with our backs to a setting sun unlike any I have ever seen. The landing of the fish put a little hold on the festivities, but no one was two upset, as it turned into delicious sashimi, ceviche and steaks for that evening. I must mention though that we have had very little wind over the past 36 hours, and do not foresee it picking back up soon, so we have grown accustomed to the little Yanmar working away.
Moving on too this morning, when we landed our second Dorado. After spotting it during my watch Ben and Chewy told me to go take care of it, this posed a challenge for me as it was my first experience bringing in a fish accustomed to living in the deep blue sea. I have spent many hours fishing in lakes and harbors, but it is another feeling to bring in a fish as beautiful and tasty as a Dorado is. Chewy then guided me through the process of properly cleaning and filleting, and laurel then turned our catch into a delicious lunch of fish tacos. Fishing has been fun, but we have put in some work, Ben did an engine check this morning, in which he realized that the water pump belt needed tightening, we also refueled the boat. With that work came more fun though, it offered us a chance to take a swim in the middle of the North Pacific, which as many of my peers would call a “trippy” experience. So to say the least the last two days have been great, offering soft swells and fun times, we face a few more days in the high, which will give Ben and I time to work on the long awaited maintenance schedule, as well as other jobs and improvements.
In conclusion I am happy to say the moral is high, and everyone is looking forward to what is coming for us over the next roller.
Max Lewis