#112 NOW August 14, 2006 0140 (UTC +13 hours Tonga Standard Time) S25001.9 W179050.5, Temperature 66.6, Pressure 1014 mb, Heading 0130 magnetic NO WIND, Seas: light swell from SW at 2 feet, Para-vanes up, Miles Completed 698, Miles to Go 70, SOG (speed over ground) 7.2 kts. 1600 RPM Greetings, Tuna, lots of tuna! Yesterday, we set out a line off the back of the boat, and before long had tagged a 25 pound tuna. Rainer worked for about 20 minutes landing this feisty beast, which just did not want to give up. However, it finally succumbed to the skills of fisherman Rainer, and then to the skills of our resident chef, Kirk Pettis. Super fresh tuna steaks simmering in olive oil, with pepper and a touch of soy sauce, what more could you ask for. For Done Dreamin' and crew it was just another day of fine cuisine and great cruising. As you can see from the above stats, we are making great progress with the para-vanes up and a following current. We should arrive at South Minerva Reef before noon today. We had one day of 25-knot winds, however since then it has been very light with just a gentle swell. As is usually the case after three days, everyone is now accustomed to the movement of the boat and the routine of life aboard. Today, both Kirk and Rainer spend some time soaking up the suns rays on the forward deck. We certainly have arrived in the tropics with warmer weather, flying fish, and balmy nights. The water temperature has increased a full 13 degree s (currently 74.8). A couple of hours ago we crossed 1800 of Longitude. This now puts us back in the Western Hemisphere. Tonga has chosen to keep their date the same as New Zealand and Australia. Therefore, we will not cross the date line until leaving Tonga for Samoa. Of course, we will not be crossing the equator until leaving American Samoa for Hawaii. Tomorrow is Kirks birthday. I believe he will be 26. Rainer and I have been trying to think of some good nautical celebration for the event. Perhaps keelhaul him or make him sit out on the yardarm for an hour or two. On second thought, he has turned out to be an excellent cook, and you should always keep the cook happy. So perhaps something a little more humane would be appropriate. Maybe I will share some of my secret stash of Hokey Pokey ice cream. I must confess that I purchased 4 liters just before we left, along with a good supply of Cadbury Chocolate Bars. As you can see, I h ave some work ahead of me weaning myself from these delights. I am happy to say that everything on the boat has been working perfectly. The watermaker put out about 80 gallons yesterday without a burp or I should say a bubble. It is so nice to see that system working smoothly for a change. Since the crew has seen how easy it is to make water, they are now taking longer showers. It really is a luxury to have an unlimited supply of fresh clean water out in the middle of the ocean. Life is a Cruise, Larry, Rainier, and Kirk -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm