>Gail and I took possession of Ice Dancer, a Nordhavn 50, at Dana Point in >February of 2003. We immediately sailed for Baja California, and cruised as >far as Loreto, in the Sea of Cortez. In April we bashed back up the Mexican >coast, and headed for our home state of Alaska. In the summer of 2003 we >cruised the Kodiak Island group, Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound. >We used Seward for the summer's base port. In late August we headed back >across the Gulf of Alaska and down the inside passage. We did minor re-fit >work at Long Beach Marine Electronics, Newport Harbor Shipyard and at PAE's >docks at Dana Point. This work was to prepare for our trip to Hawaii. > >In November 2003, we crossed the Pacific from San Diego to our new base of >operations at Ko Olina Marina, Oahu, Hawaii. Notes from the crossing trip >are located elsewhere in Virtual Rendezvous. From February through November >of 2003, we logged about 12,000 nautical miles on Ice Dancer. > > Ko Olina is a first-rate marina that is part of an elegant resort >development. Its facilities and security make it a perfect place to leave >our boat when flying back to Anchorage and elsewhere. In 2004, we logged >3,000 nautical miles visiting all of the major Hawaiian Islands. We enjoyed >cruising Hawaii and spent most of our time in island anchorages, rather than >at the marina. > >Our first trip to the South Pacific was conceived over a year ago. We >wanted to see much of Hawaii before branching out to other areas. One >concern for us is having a safe place to leave Ice Dancer, while we are >away. Our present journey is planned for a loop that first includes the >Marquesas Islands. Next, we will travel to the Tuomotu Archipelago, the >largest group of atolls in the world. Then, we will visit the more >developed Society Islands, such as Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. In late >May or early June, we will head north through the Line Islands, with stops >at Christmas, Fanning and Palmyra islands, and then return to Ko Olina. The >voyage will be between 5,000 and 6,000 nm and take about three months to >complete. > >XXXXXXXXXXX > >Our voyage to French Polynesia began with a stop for the night at Hawaii >Yacht Club, where a score of envious sailboat owners toured our Nordhavn 50. >Our boat draws compliments wherever we go. On Wednesday (March 24) we >departed for an overnight run to Honokohau, Hawaii, which is a small boat >harbor near Kailua/Kona. After topping off with diesel, we departed early >Thursday afternoon. Seas were expectedly rough passing the south end of >Hawaii, but improved as we pulled away from the island. > >On board with us is Geoff Curran, a retired Pan Am and JAL pilot, sailboater >and licensed captain. Geoff jumped at the chance to join our trip. He is >seriously considering a Nordhavn for his next boat. > >At noon Friday, Hawaii time, we were at 17-11N 154-52W, about 114 nm SSE of >Hawaii. Course is 142 degrees at 7.3 knots. Winds and seas are favorable. >Next stop is the island of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. > >We put out fishing lines at first morning light and had a double hook up of >mahi mahi a half hour later. They are resting in the freezer, waiting for >us to enjoy. Fresh sushi is planned for tonight's table. The bad news is >that our freezers are full and we have to stop fishing for a while. I guess >we could throw out the steaks. > >Equipment and voyagers are all doing fine. > Dick and Gail Barnes Aboard m/v Ice Dancer Nordhavn 50, #22