Pacific Islands Hopping For
p. 52 · Read in the full issue
Fun Two Americans Sail Tiny Yacht Across Pacific
FAR away to the north of Rarotonga,a tiny light could occasionally be per ceived. Questions arose as to what it was and when the dawn came the mystery was solved. It was a tiny craft just 25 ft. 6 in. in length, the “Tai Manu” (Sea Bird), with F. V. K. Budd as skipoer and Miss Frankie Hulen as crew.
Back in 1940, Captain Budd and Frank.e had a notion that they would like to explore the South Sea Islands in a leisurely way. War intervened, so the project was postponed until April 8, 1947.
Then, after much planning the tiny craft left Los Angeles for San Diego, to collect last-minute supplies and get clearance prior to heading for La Paz, Mexico Peninsula 1,200 miles away, which was reached in June, 1947.
On the trip down, “Tai Manu” stopped in at every little bay to explore whatever there was to be explored; swapping one packet of cigarettes for three or four lobsters and so on. They stayed in Mexico until after the hurricane season, pushing off again in December for Nuka hiva in the Marquesas Group.
For the next 46 days “Tai Manu’ travelled 3,000 miles of ocean without sighting land, ship or fish. However, they did run into 50 Whales and had a few anxious moments when one got uncom fortably near. Christmas and New Year were celebrated in traditional style, even stockings being hung above the bunks.
Later they set sail for Tahiti, which they reached in 16 days after the un enviable experience of weathering ten squalls in one night. They stayed there a month for repairs to the engine, and to be restocked.
The Government gave them permission to visit Raiatea, Tahaa and Boroboro. On the 12-day trip from Boroboro to Raro tonga “Tai Manu” was becalmed for ohe day and hove-to for four days. From Rarotonga she was going to Tonga where the voyage and partnership would end — one partner then to buy the other out.
The 56-year-old captain is a retired electrical engineer who has a liking for the sea and who commanded a ship in the United States Navy during the war.
Miss Hulen is a land-lubber from Oklahoma, where she has done all manner of things, the most profitable of them being beauty culture.
With a snowy-white hull, green decks and bright work of Honduras mahogany, the yacht presents a pretty picture. The cabin, including a separate part for' the galley, is barely 15 feet overall but every thing fits in.
On the port side of the galley are the little stove and sink, beneath which are deep drawers with partitions.
In the interior cabin are two six-fool; bunks, each with pandanus mats as cover ings. Between these stands a beautiful Honduras mahogany table. At the end nearest to the stove is the cutlery, and at the opposite end oddments such as pencils, notepaper, etc. Directly above this are the set-in clock and barometer, placed on either side of two small doors which when open reveal a medicine chest.
Beneath this are more drawers wherein sit a typewriter, gramophone, records and spares required for all parts.
“Tai Manu” carries 380 square feet of sail and she has a five horse-power Lauson engine which she uses only when an emergency, such as going through a oass crops up. She does not carry wire less.—Reprinted from the NZ “Free Lance..”