Approximately 12 miles out and the weather changed dramatically. Coast Guard on the VHF started reporting high surf advisories and small craft warnings. I had intended to go after pelagic fish at reef coke about 8 miles west of Tinian and about 12 miles South of Saipan. We had to pull up and call it day.
The truth to this was our day had yet to end as the fight began from wave to wave. The Boni held strong, my eyes burning from salt water constantly splashing through, we are soaked and my crew sitting as still as possible on the deck to avoid massive rocks from what seems to be tidal waves ahead of us. Crashing waves on the bow, washing through with force that you feel the density of water.All lines on board, no lures out as my battle with nature to get home safely was the only thing on my mind. My Zuk 70 HP four stroke kept going, trudging forward with every push on the throttle it responded immediately. Fuel we had was enough, but for how long if we had to continue fighting each wave as it comes.
In site of of land! Saipan was a mere 7 miles when some rain clouds cleared the way. I operated on the GPS and manual compass to heed my bearings. then there it was, a beautiful site of the slight mountainous island we call home. A sigh of relief, but ur battle has yet to be completed. The bashing of fiberglass onto the wave as it hits, I worried about cracking the hull, but I assured myself that the Boni would bring us home safely. in the 12 mile stretch, we traveled at mainly 5-7 knots against the hurling 31 knots. Our time to get back was 4 hours and 37 minutes. That was an ordeal!I miss the Boni and how she handled, but as upgrade, the new MY Boni, is a Glass Pro vessel built in Hawaii in 2001. Backed by twin Honda 50 four stroke engines, this baby moves. At top speed I can run 31 knots, but then again that is rarely done unless the water is flat like a piece of paper laying on the floor.
She handles very well and the space, for this 20'er and 7' beam, I cant ask for a better boat. Minor improvements are taking place and today we are installing the outrigger holes on the boat. She is being prepared for the upcoming fishing derbies in the CNMI.My brothers and I fished several times with the Boni, but they have yet to experience MY Boni. I am sure they will get a kick out of her when they do, one day of course. I've caught numerous fish over the last few years and now MY Boni has proven a work boat and we are catching more.
Wish us luck as we gear up! Fish on CNMI!
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