EQUATOR CROSSING | Pacific Crossing PT 4 | Ep 103
1 May 2023 · 19 min · 12K views · 3 degrees North, 128 degrees West (Pacific Ocean)
What this video covers
A crew of four aboard the 45-ft sailboat Meraki completes a 20-day passage from Mexico to the equator, navigating through trade winds and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). For the first 16 days, the vessel maintains a consistent wing-on-wing sail configuration in 12 to 18 knots of wind, averaging 5.5 to 6 knots.1:48 As the boat approaches the doldrums, the crew encounters frequent squalls, requiring the use of a triple-reefed main and staysail to manage wind shifts and rain.7:28 Radar monitoring proves essential for tracking squall activity during night watches.8:04 Upon reaching the equator on the equinox, the crew deploys a spinnaker in calm seas, noting that the sail requires minimal swell to remain full.13:30 The passage involves managing low battery levels and hand-steering during sail changes.9:39 After crossing into the southern hemisphere, the vessel enters a period of calm, necessitating engine use to maintain progress through the doldrums.17:46 The crew marks the transition with a traditional shellback ceremony.15:00
Boats in this video
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