Mike Kalil

My first single handed passage and it really could not have gone much better. I caught a pretty good weather window and only logged 19.5 hours of motoring. The highest wind gust I noticed was 24 knots. Mostly the sea state was friendly, I had about 24 hours that was an uncomfortable rolly. 175 miles was my best day and the average was 150. Stella did amazing, I to thank Henry (the Hydrovane) and Ray (Raymarine autopilot) for all their help, I couldn't have done it without you guys. Of course there were things to fix. My radar scanner decided not to work and I spent a day and a half trouble shooting that, determined it was in the dome and needed to wait until the boat was not moving. The radar decided to work flawlessly on the approach to Sitka. My Espar diesel heater also did not want to work. I spent a good bit of time on this issue and finally got it working on the final day of passage, I believe it was low fluid/air in the system. I stayed busy monitoring chaffe and keeping everything running smooth.I certainly had some fantastic sailing out there and 75% of the trip was sunny and warm. I'm still made about the beautiful Mahi that slipped the hook while I had the leader in hand and I was reaching for his tail!

Left before sunrise to motor upwind to the protection of Hanalei Bay. Very uncomfortable anchorage here and more north was forecast in the wind

Quick motor to an open roadstead anchorage to escape all the toyr boats coming to the reef.

Nice down wind sail. Deeply reefed main to go slow and enjoy the view. Wind peaked at 26 knots. Tough, small anchorage. Very little sand to set in and very little room due to your boats. Marginal protection.

Great sail, rainy morning that turned into a beautiful day. Sailed all points of sail. Mostly 10-15 knots of wind.

Great overnight sail. Henry the Hydrovane did most of the steering. 10-15 knots, deep down wind. No Jibes required. Arrived early AM. 2 ships to monitor overnight, but I was able to rest in the bunk in 1 hour chunks, 4 hours total. Broke Genoa sheet towards end of sail, must have been chaffed at pole that built up on passage from Mexico.

Quick and fun downwind sail. Sail off anchor without problem. We loved Waimea Bay, but it was time toove on since our 72 hour limit has been reached.

Great conditions and weather today. 8-10 knots deep reach then 12-15 down wind after jibing. Perfect sailing along a beautiful coast. Happy Memorial day.