Vagabond Voyagesvideo
7 days at sea… the route gets even longer! Vlog 97
24 October 2025 · 24 min · 8K views · South Pacific Ocean
What this video covers
A couple sailing a ketch in the South Pacific struggles with excessive rolling while attempting a downwind passage toward Niue.3:27 The vessel, which features a heavy, non-telescopic spinnaker pole, proves difficult to manage in following seas with wind angles between 150 and 180 degrees.17:22 To mitigate the motion, the captain maintains a course between 120 and 140 degrees, accepting a longer route to avoid the discomfort of a direct 180-degree heading.4:29 The crew reports that the heavy, fixed-length pole is dangerous to deploy in current sea states, leading them to rely on reefed mainsails and genoa adjustments for stability.20:45 They note that long-term use of a spinnaker pole causes significant wear on sheets and express a desire for a lighter, telescopic pole and a Code Zero for future passages.16:39 The crew manages battery levels by keeping them above 80 percent and uses an electric seawater pump for dishwashing to conserve fresh water.9:24
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