Getting some tradewind sailing in for a few days on approach, an easy 9 to 10 knots. Birds have returned, but still not much shipping traffic with the AIS and radar detector silent. I’ve seen no trash on this trip, very different from the 2012 SHTP that ran after the Fukushima earthquake.
Looks like I will round Hawaii after dark, a bummer as it’s quite a dramatic coastline. Also a bummer as I will come into the lee in the early morning hours. I have a few things to attend to in the hopefully calmer waters behind the island. First up is to epoxy woven roving patches on the topside where there are cracks opening up in the coachroof. I spent some time yesterday prepping the areas for patches as shown in the photos. The underside will need patches also, which will prove troublesome as gravity will work against me. The patches should stabilize the cracking, and then I can address the leaking.
Second up is to drop the sails completely and check over the halyards, and lash blocks onto the outer reef points on the mainsail. I’m already seeing significant chafing on the reef lines which are critical for getting through the Southern Ocean.
Third task is to go up the mast to see if I can repair the radar reflector mount. We shall see.
I will say that despite some setbacks, the longer I’m aboard the more confident I grow.
sparrow 
Why do you need to go around Hawaii other than to be in calmer water?
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Hi Roger, I needed to add distance.
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Talking about fixing the boat in exotic locations 🙂 I’d fill the cracks with thickened epoxy (if you have enough) before putting on the cloth, which will take care of any leaks (almost anything can work as thickener – I’ve heard people using flour or even powdered sugar!). Too bad about A2 and Code0, but I am guessing you would not use them much once you reach 40 South?
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Hi Alex, yes I will miss those sails mostly getting up and down the Pacific, I think. When reaching in 20-30 knots the jib and reefed main should be plenty of horsepower.
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Whitall, for the cracks, I suggest to cut length wise about 2” longer than the length of each cracks, then one first strip 6” wide, centered on the crack. then another strip, this time 4-5” wide, also centered on the crack and staggered length wise by one inch. The staggering of the layers avoid a step and his stronger. It’s important to have the wider layer first, then narrower strips after.
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