Sailing Nahoavideo
The Forecast Didn’t Matter Anymore
2 November 2025 · 30 min · 268K views · Maupihaa
Sails billow under clear blue sky on open sea
What this video covers
Nahoa departs a South Pacific anchorage ahead of cyclone season on an 800-mile passage west to Nui, Tonga — a distance that puts them beyond the edge of any reliable forecast for 7–10 days.0:37 Conditions cycle through squalls, no-wind zones with squally SPCZ-type weather, and a southern ocean low that builds swells to 2.5 meters while the wind simultaneously drops.6:54 Ben pulls a broken batten from the mainsail at sunset to avoid an emergency repair at night, and puts in a second reef ahead of a front.8:34 The Maupiha pass proves the most demanding of the passage: current rips through so fast the boat nearly matches outflow speed, leaving almost no water past the rudders and effectively no steerage in a narrow, coral-studded channel.3:16 Fishing produces a large barracuda (released, considered poisonous) and eventually a wahoo.13:50 Radar reads a squall at 47 knots; Ben doubts the instrument and it proves to be light rain.6:08 Nui anchorage is fully open to the west, producing extreme roll.28:59 Ben files pre-arrival paperwork late and apologizes to authorities.29:24 The forecast predicted light following winds requiring motoring; instead the wind filled in for beautiful wing-on-wing sailing — the title's payoff.17:22
More from Sailing Nahoa
From Sailing Nahoa — 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.