Vagabond Voyagesvideo
Heading for Raiatea: rough seas & wind vane at its best 👍 Vlog 80
13 June 2025 · 26 min · 10K views
What this video covers
Anissia and Tom navigate their Lagoon catamaran from Moorea to Raiatea, a 17-hour passage covering approximately 100 nautical miles. They maintain a median speed of 5 to 6 knots with 15 to 25 knots of wind, utilizing a wind vane self-steering system to conserve battery power. The crew balances the mainsail, genoa, and mizzen to maintain a stable course, though they note the wind vane causes the boat to slalom more than an electric autopilot. To manage seasickness, Anissia prepares a ginger, lemon, and honey mixture. During the transit, the crew maintains a three-hour watch rotation. Upon approaching the pass at Raiatea, the engine requires three attempts to start, suggesting a potential air leak in the fuel system that requires further inspection. The crew plans to anchor in a bay on the southeast coast of the island. Mechanical wind vanes provide a reliable, non-electric alternative to autopilots for long-distance sailing, though they require careful sail balance and tuning to perform effectively in varying sea states.
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