Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 0930

Anchored with some difficulty due to deep water of the harbor. Took about 2 hours to find a good holding ground. Cleared with harbor master this morning.

Planning to depart their Saturday, March 8, for Auckland.

Added Comment
Saito-san will call in to the Japan Boat Show for a press conference tomorrow (Thursday). Questions will be made by news media and answered by Saito-san through the Iridium sat phone.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Departed Pago Pago 11 am local time

Due to a family emergency, crewman Vincent returned to France by plane on Friday, so Saito-san has continued solo to Auckland. When asked whether he planned to look for a new crew, he laughed and said "No need... from Pago Pago to Auckland it's easy!" See map.

In Pago Pago repairs were made to the main sail. Main halyard and topping lift were replaced. The portside shroud was secured though there was no replacement turnbuckle to be found in Pago Pago. Saito-san believes this to not be a problem for the remainder of the trip to Auckland.

With use of the repaired main and 80% of No. 1 jib the boat speed under light winds has increased by about 1 kt. Winds are favorable, out of the NNE.

Added Comment
Vincent wrote an email from France today wishing Saito-san well and expressing his regrets. He was asked to send photos snapped while on board. We wished his family well and thanked him for his help during the voyage down.

Saito-san placed a call to the Japan Boat Show on Thursday, and on Sunday to an event in California held by District 13 of the United States Power Squadrons. At both venues Saito-san could be heard over the sound system by participants as he described the trip thus far.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

He's fine sailing solo, sleeping during the night in 90-minute "cat naps." Dozing a bit in late afternoon, but says he is not tired.

See map for present location vis-a-vis Auckland.

Added Comment
Called back an hour later to report that the wind had suddenly changed to out of the SE (almost on his nose) and that the relatively flat seas had become steeper, but for no apparent reason.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Saito: "It's hot!"
He reports 32C on-board as he approaches the New Zealand autumn, which just started.

Boat speed is reduced due to light and variable winds.

Added Comment
As Saito nears Auckland, we're arranging a berth and are in continuing discussions with the company we selected for the refitting (Yachtspars New Zealand) . This work will include:
 
1) mast replacement
2) stepping the mast to the keel
3) new and stronger standing rigging
4) new running rigging
5) new winches
6) modifications for single-handing
7) a new and stronger suite of cruising sails, including a Spectra (tm) mainsail

Repairs will include
1) replacement of DC/AC converter
2) engine rebuild or replacement (likely after return to Japan)

****

Vessel entering highly variable wind conditions as it approaches Auckland, which is still beset by seasonal monsoons; this should settle out over the next few weeks. The monsoon season generally lasts until March but can extend several weeks past this time.

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/glossary/monsoon.shtml

The more severe area for cyclones tends to be on the NW side of Australia, thus well away from the track Saito is on.

New Zealand Seasons
New Zealand does not have a large temperature range, lacking the extremes found in most continental climates. However, New Zealand weather can change unexpectedlyas cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in.

* Spring - September, October, November
* Summer - December, January, February
* Autumn - March, April, May
* Winter - June, July, August

Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30ºC and in winter between 10 - 15ºC.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200 Tokyo time

Saito: "It's REALLY hot!"
He reports 34C on-board, up 2 degrees since yesterday. Confirmed he is drinking plenty of water.

Cleaned engine air filter again. Increasingly feels the existing engine needs to be replaced, due to low power it achieves and old age. (Existing is the original Detroit GM diesel, approx.127 HP/3 cylinder)

Boat speed continues reduced due to light and variable winds.

Motoring approx. 2 hours on, 2 hours off to maintain steerage. If speed drops below 3 kt, the auto pilot cannot be used.

Added Comment
Tears in 2 locations in the mainsail below the 1 pt reef line keep him from raising it 100%. Said the headsail is quite small, and believes that because of its high cut, is probably a "yankee," rather than a full No. 1 jib.  Thus full power from the sails is not available, which becomes especially evident in light winds.

Note that for Saito, this voyage to Auckland was the "shake-down" cruise that other sailors normally do in coastal waters to test the engine, rigging, and sails prior to long-distance cruising. There was not time for coastal test sailing prior to departure but this is Saito's "normal" after his 3 BOC and Around Alone races, in which partial fixes and under-way repairs were done as a matter of course. To this point he expresses no dissatisfaction with his new vessel, but is disappointed with the condition of the sails. (These were to be replaced in Auckland anyway.)

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200 Tokyo time

Heat is a problem during the day due to steel construction of boat.  Even shoes are a problem when walking on deck due to thin soles, through which the heat is keenly felt. (Deck is a thick Awl-Grip type surface, in reflective white). He still reports 34C on-board.

Last night was hit by multiple rain squalls so "was very busy" and could not sleep. Winds sometimes in excess of 20 knots, other times nothing at all.

Despite a mostly sleepless night Saito said he feels fine and was able to rest during the day.

Added Comment
Clearpoint shows him to be in an area with highly variable, usually light winds, with numerous thunderstorms passing through. Trade wind conditions are seen returning over the next several days, coming mainly as steady from the east.

Our contact with Yachtspars New Zealand emailed yesterday to say that a marina has been tentatively arranged, and that confirmation would soon follow.