Location 33° 00S 175° 46W
Friday 12:00, 07.20.2007

At noon on July 20, the Schooner Maggie B was at 33° 00S, 175° 46W. We were making 7 knots essentially right along the 33 South latitude. The wind has piped up a bit to a perfect 12-14 knots from the West, as the barometer begins to fall. The next front is also being indicated by the progression of clouds from high cirrus Mares Tails last night to Alto Stratus this morning, to lower cumulus and stratus showing up on the horizon at dusk.

We started fishing today, and have our wasabi ready. Our “Fishing Stations!” are:
1) Whoever’s on watch sets the hook
2) Hannah takes over handling the boat and slowing her down
3) Ben takes over handling the rod
4) Theresa gets the salt water washdown hose going and gets the gaff
5) Frank gets the killing gear (hammer, ice pick and sharp knife)
6) Ben brings the fish in close enough for Theresa to gaff, and she lands it
7) Frank kills the fish with the ice pick, stunning it first with the hammer, if necessary
Frank slits the arteries in the gills and tail and ropes up the fish, which is then dragged to bleed out, but not so long that the sharks arrive
9) It is then cleaned, washed down and sashimi within minutes. Yum!

We had a big fish hit about sundown, but it spat out the hook before it could be set. Tomorrow is another day.

Our overhauled C. Plath Southern Hemisphere steering compass is leaking out its fluid. I accused the crew of drinking it, but it was pointed out that A) it contained oil, not alcohol like in the old days, and B) we have better alcohol on board. It appears to need a new expansion seal at the base plus some more fluid.

Much of today was taken up by overhauling docking lines from the beating they took in the storms in Russell. All protective leathers came off, and two were shortened and respliced where chafe was severe. We also made up two new lines from 50 meters of new rope purchased in Opua. All the books about the coast of Chile emphasize how much line you’ll need to carry.

Hannah made some delicious carrot/oatmeal/bran muffins for tea. She is spoiling us.

All is well.