Pacific Voyagers

[donradcliffe]

Seven Pacific Voyager canoes showed up in Hanalei Bay today. It was a stirring sight to see them round the point. They are traditional double canoes made in NZ with modern materials.

see Pacific Voyagers

The boats are 72 ft long, with a crew of 16. The crew bunks in the hulls, and the structure on top is the galley. They have two drop-down propellers driven by solar powered electric motors. The batteries are good for about 5 hours at 2.5 knots in flat water, so they are only used for maneuvering. Navigation is by traditional means--not even a compass (but they carry a hand-held GPS for back-up).

They are going to rest up a few days, then head for San Francisco.

Quite a project, with a budget of $15M, primarily funded by a European billionaire.

[imagine2frolic]

What a beautiful sight that must be! How long will they stay there, and then in S.F.?...........i2f

[donradcliffe]

They are supposed to be here about 5-7 days. Not sure about SF, but they were saying they would then go to San Diego and be there till December.

They are out sailing today--supposed to go down the Napali coast to get some filming from a helicopter. Of course the weather isn't cooperating--clouds and rain..

[imagine2frolic]

Is that your photo? Man that's beautiful. Any more to post if it is? I'll start looking for the fish you left behind next week........i2f

[donradcliffe]

Here's a few more pictures.

You probably don't want to follow my track to Hawaii too closely--the sleeping dragons off the coast of Mexico are awakening by now...

[Butler]

How wonderful!! Someday would love to be able to get a berth on one of those. Here's to a beautiful crossing!

[imagine2frolic]

I am still monitoring the weather daily. I will stay well below 9 for quite a distance. It has been tough to get Imagine ready in manana land, but it has also given me time to recuperate a wee bit more. Thanks for the pics.......i2f