This morning we awoke early and put the boat in order to depart Papeete bay. We pulled in our stern lines and upped the anchor at about 6:30am and motored West past the Airport into the lagoon beyond in the area known as the Maeva Beach area. Here there are several large hotels, a huge anchorage filled with boats - at least 75 - and a marina with a fuel dock. We stopped at the fuel dock and filled up on Diesel. We also filled our gasoline jugs and hosed down the decks with fresh water.

We had intended to proceed South to an anchorage at the SW tip of Tahiti but instead dropped the anchor among a small group of 10 boats anchored a bit to the South of the marina at the inner edge of the reef. We were exhausted. We had some chores to do before we could head out of the lagoon into rougher waters like lifting the dinghy, stowing dock lines, fenders and fuel jugs, and we wanted to put a new filter in the watermaker and get it started. We have not made any water since last Friday before we entered Papeete harbor.

Well, we immediately noticed watermaker output was too low and we seemed to be getting water in the bilge. First we ate lunch and rested, then I investigated. Well, we seem to have a leak coming from the water maker's high pressure pump (the Clark Pump) so I will take it apart and see if I can find the problem - the leak is in the back at a fitting which I cannot see unless I disassemble the pump.

So it looks like we will remain here this afternoon and tonight and perhaps leave in the morning for a less crowded anchorage, though it is nice to be out of the city and in clean water and fresh air! We may stay longer depending on the watermaker. If we need parts we want to determine that now so we have a chance of ordering them to arrive here before we plan to leave Moorea on the 23rd.