November 23, 1998

Hi Guys: You may see something on the news about a big blow in the Tasman. I happened to check with Des at Keri Keri radio (New Zealand) today and Kristin is in light airs, at 23/18S and 178/16W, motoring at 5knots with wind expected to stay light for next couple of days. Steve Dashew

November 24, 1998

Contacted the Seafarer's Ham Maritime Net this evening and learned that Kristin's position last evening, 11/22, was 22 deg 39 min South and 117 deg 18 min West on her way to NZ. Lost propogation so was unable to get her position this evening but will try again tomorrow. Ralph

November 26, 1998

Hi Ralph, I Just spoke to Russell Marine Radio, Hio Avae's position at 08:28 this morning (11/26 19:28 GMT) was: 26.17 S, 179.45 E. There is a low pressure that has developed in the last 24 hours to the southwest of her. It is not too intense and if she slows down a little she will probably miss the worse bit (40 kts) and just get good northerly wind. (Oh dear, I'm turning into an "armchair cruiser"). Cheers, Marco

November 25, 1998

Picked up Kristin's position for 11/25/98 from the Seafarer's net last night. Her position was 23 deg 52 min South and 178 deg 46 min West. Hope to get latest position this evening. Ralph

November 28, 1998

Kristin's position on 11/28/98 relayed to me follows: 0300 UTC Lat 28 deg 03 min South & 179 deg 01 min East, steering course of 200 deg True, Boat Speed 4.1 knots, Wind West at 11 knots, Swells 1.0 feet, overcast, barometer 1006 and falling. All for Now

November 29, 1998

Received YOTREPS from Mike Harris in NZ for Kristin's 11/29/98 position. Hio Avae at 0300 Z was at 29 deg 58 min South & 178 deg 23 min East, steering 200 deg True with a speed of 5 knots with winds from WNW at 10 knots, swells were West 3.3 feet. Cloud cover was 90 % and barometer was 1012 and rising.

SFrom the report, I believe that Hio Avae is traveling with another boat from Tonga to Opua. The other boat is Margarita with skipper named Sarah. Margarita's position was 30 deg 10 min South & 178 deg 18 min East. Ralph

November 30, 1998

Kristin at 0315Z was at 31 deg 23 min South and 177 deg 20 min East, Course 200 deg True, boat speed 4.0 knots, Wind West 10 knots, 40 % cloud cover, barometer 1010 rising.

Buddy boat Margarita at 0300Z was at 31 deg 34 min South and 177 deg 13 min East, Steering 215 deg True. speed 6 knots, Wind West 10 knots, swells West1.0 feet, 15 % clould cover, barometer 1015 rising.

December 1, 1998

Kristin at 0315Z was at 31 deg 23 min South and 177 deg 20 min East, Course 200 deg True, boat speed 4.0 knots, Wind West 10 knots, 40 % cloud cover, barometer 1010 rising.

Buddy boat Margarita at 0300Z was at 31 deg 34 min South and 177 deg 13 min East, Steering 215 deg True. speed 6 knots, Wind West 10 knots, swells West1.0 feet, 15 % clould cover, barometer 1015 rising.

December 3, 1998

Hallelujah!

Kristin and Sandy have arrived today Thursday 12/3/98 (12/2 here in the U.S.) in Opua, New Zealand. Opua is a little village in the Bay of Islands, near Russell. Its main claim to fame is the fuel dock and custom office according to Bob McDavitt in NZ.

For those of you who were tracking positions:

On 12/2 (12/1 here in U.S.) at 0300UTC Hio Avae was at 33 deg 56 min South and 174 deg 39 min East, Steering 200 degrees True, Boat speed 5 knots, Calm, 70 % Cloud Cover, Baarometer 1013 rising.

Margarita at 0333UTC was at 34 deg 54 min South aand 174 deg 55 min East, Steering 245 deg True, Boat Speed 5 knots, Wind WNW 4 knots, Swells NE at 0.6 feet, 40 % Cloud Cover, Barometer 1016 rising.

More when receive additional information.

Regards, Ralph...