OK, for starters, I keep a spare GPS (SMALL!) and AM/FM radio in a Faraday cage on board, but......

Use the sextant to find local noon and then set the wind up watch.

Next, at noon, measure the sun's height. Now the tricky part, find the sun's Solar Declination for the day.

It moves from -23.5 degrees to +23.5 degrees during the year, You could compute it using summer and winter solstice, but the Almanac from last year should get you close enough for a reasonable sighting.

Next, find your latitude using the formula GL = 90 - H + SD

where GL (ground location) is your latitude, H is height observed at noon, and SD is the Solar Declination.

I take it we are heading west to Papeete.

Next make a course north or south to 17.53° S (from the chart) latitude and head west.

And YES, do your DR every hour and watch for the contrails of the aircraft (skid marks in the sky), and a cloud bloom over the island during the day and glow at night. I would also keep trying that radio! Especially as I got closer to the island.

Any other ideas or am I out to lunch on this????

Greg