Sailing SV Delos · video

What this video covers

SV Delos arrives at Niue after an eight-day, roughly 1,400-mile passage from French Polynesia through 25–30-knot winds and 15-foot seas — described as one of the rolliest passages the crew has made in years.1:16 Niue is a raised coral atoll with no gradual sloping bottom, making anchoring impossible; boats must reserve mooring balls on the west side, in the lee of the trade winds.2:22 After 36 hours ashore, a forecast shows a weather system spinning through and sending 30-knot winds from the west directly onto the mooring field, with SV Delos less than 100 metres from limestone cliffs.16:25 The crew weighs staying against departing immediately into rough conditions, exhausted and with Kaz fighting a cold.18:40 They choose to leave Thursday night to reach Tonga's Vava'u Island group before the system disrupts winds, averaging 7.8 knots on the final night.19:08 After arriving, AIS data reveals that at least one boat left behind at Niue went ashore — wrecked on the rocks.26:56 Ashore exploration covers Avaki Cave, the Limu Pools halocline snorkeling, and an encounter with the highly venomous but docile katawali sea snake.8:51 Crew member Bill departs in Tonga after helping with the passage.27:49 Leaving a lee-shore mooring ahead of a forecast wind shift, even after a short stop, proved the correct call.26:59

More from Sailing SV Delos

Fit or FAIL 🫣 Building Our Own Aluminum Catamaran Pt. 85Sept 2026This Is Where It Gets INTERESTING…Aluminum Catamaran Build Pt. 84Aug 2026EVERY INCH COUNTS....Aluminum Catamaran Build Pt. 83Aug 2026FIRST TEST: The Last Dinghy We'll Ever Buy??? Aluminum Catamaran Build Pt. 82Aug 2026

From Sailing SV Delos — 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.