Yet More Gratitude

TIME: 2021/06/11 02:02 UTC
LATITUDE: 17-32.91N
LONGITUDE: 159-45.33W
COURSE: 342T
SPEED: 4.0
WIND_SPEED (T): ENE 20
Apparent Wind: 70 Deg, 20kt
Waves: NE 2-3M
Miles to Oahu, Hawaii: 270NM


Oh no, here comes another sappy email about gratitude!! But how could I not be, less than 48 hours after we lost use of our starboard rudder, we have new parts ordered, the possibility of a marina slip being investigated, and paperwork being completed for permission to arrive in Hawaii. All of this done by the incredible cruising community we have met since we started on this journey with Maple.

First, a huge thank you to Shaun. We first met Shaun and Sherrie and their two girls in Turkey back in 2015. What are the chances of two Vancouver area families spending part of their first year on their respective boats in the same marina in Turkey!?! It was an instant connection that has continued since. Our paths have intersected from time to time, include with Sherrie back in Vancouver a couple of times. They are currently in Vancouver after they were forced to leave their boat behind in Malaysia when they could no longer renew their visas during Covid. Shaun has been sending us daily weather forecasts and routing suggestions since we left Tahiti. Now he is a HUGE lifesaver by ordering for us two new tiller arms from South Africa to be delivered to Hawaii. And he is throwing in a new alternator for us at the same time! Maple will be as good as new with two functioning rudders and two engines capable of charging once all is installed!! Thank you so much, Shaun!!!

Next on the list to thank are Mary Beth and Bill. We first met them in Shelter Bay Marina in Panama in early 2019. (As an aside, that is the last time we have been in a marina!) How could we not meet as we were just two boats down from each other with the exact same boat. Clearly people with good taste!! We also had a chance to meet a couple of times in French Polynesia before they then sailed to Hawaii. I think they managed this trip with breaking a lot less stuff than we have on ours. Anyway, all it took was for me to email them with a few questions since they are currently in Oahu, and they immediately took action. They have inquired with their marina, Ko' Olina, to see if there is any chance of squeezing us in. The jury is still out, but we are still so grateful for their willingness to jump to action when needed. They have generously allowed us to use their address at the marina to ship our parts!!

Last, but certainly not least, we have to thank Mark and Isabel. We first met in Fakarava in French Polynesia back in 2019 and have been fortunate to share many an anchorage with them throughout the country. They are currently on a stopover in Oahu after having a fantastic, smooth trip from the Marquesas. See it is possible to do this trip without breaking stuff!!! It must be because they are on an awesome Aussie built Seawind! :) They have inquired with CBP that we are able to check in to the US in Oahu and are helping us by getting the necessary paperwork started on our behalf!!

Plus we have received countless offers of help and quick answers to questions from other cruisers over the last two days. This community of sailors is truly remarkable. We never cease to be amazed by the generosity that this community will give without any expectation of anything in return. From saving people's drifting dinghies to sharing spare parts when possible to jumping to action when things are not going very smoothly on an ocean crossing.

Thank you so much for everyone's support and good vibes as we try to reach Oahu. The seas and winds continue to be very strong for us so we continue to just make our way north towards Kauai. Hoping the forecast for lighter winds and seas becomes a reality soon. All continues to be well for Maple and her crew!