Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

The crew of the 44-foot ferro-cement monohull Catalpa navigates a passage from Misool to Ambon, Indonesia, covering approximately 160 nautical miles.0:13 The transit involves light, variable winds and periods of motoring, followed by a rough overnight stretch of strong headwinds and squalls.10:46 During the passage, the crew encounters an unidentified vessel that alters course toward them, prompting them to take precautionary measures until the vessel passes behind them.6:45 The crew emphasises the necessity of using satellite imagery overlays on chart plotters to identify reef channels in Indonesian waters, noting that relying solely on standard electronic charts risks grounding.14:24 The passage includes a friendly sailing race against a 50-foot aluminium catamaran, Nullikai, which experiences engine trouble.15:43 The crew manages to maintain speed by utilising the East Indonesian Current.8:53

More from Sailing Catalpa

29 days sailing Panama to French Polynesia the whole passageAug 2026what did we learn from a month at seaAug 2026at sea no land sailing across the pacific oceanAug 2026Life aboard sailing across the Pacific Ocean..Ep 502Aug 2026

From Sailing Catalpa — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.