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Reefs, Risks & Unreliable Charts | Sailing Offshore Samoa to Fiji Pt 2
8 June 2025 · 20 min · 26K views
What this video covers
During a 600-mile passage from Samoa to Fiji, the crew of a Prout Ltd. Snowgoose 37 Elite navigates through squalls and reef-strewn waters while managing sail trim and fatigue. To avoid a lee shore and potential 30-knot winds, the crew chooses a longer, safer route around the back of an island rather than attempting a windward beat to prove the boat's performance. Throughout the transit, they reef the main and genoa to maintain control in 14 to 21 knots of wind, achieving speeds of six to seven knots. The passage concludes with a night transit through a narrow gap, requiring careful navigation to reach Savu Savu by dawn. Upon arrival, the crew identifies ongoing mechanical issues, specifically a leaking drive leg on the engine that requires immediate maintenance. Prioritizing conservative seamanship over proving the vessel's windward capability ensures a safe arrival in challenging, reef-heavy coastal waters.
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