Sailing La Vagabonde · video

What this video covers

The crew of La Vagabonde, a performance catamaran, completes a 450-nautical-mile passage from Chichijima, Japan, to the volcanic island of Maug in the Mariana Islands.0:45 During the three-day transit, the crew manages high-speed sailing in 20-knot squalls by reefing the mainsail to maintain a comfortable, controlled pace while beating into waves.21:33 The vessel encounters significant current-driven chop while crossing a seamount, which causes severe motion and sleep deprivation for the crew.2:39 Upon arrival at Maug, the crew faces extreme anchoring challenges within the caldera, where depths exceed 200 metres near the cliff walls and the bottom drops off sharply.22:52 They attempt to anchor in a 30-metre-deep section, noting the high risk of dragging into the precipitous volcanic rock.24:23 The crew conducts diving and spearfishing expeditions outside the caldera walls, observing silky sharks and various reef fish.28:36 The passage highlights the difficulty of managing high-performance boats in heavy, upwind conditions and the logistical complexities of anchoring in deep, exposed volcanic craters.

More from Sailing La Vagabonde

Plot twist: we got a NEW BOAT!Aug 2026We’re back! Getting ready for a 3000NM Sail...Jul 20266 Months Later… Was It Worth It? (Q&A)Jul 2026Cursed with Blood. Horrifying Find on our New Land..Jul 2026

From Sailing La Vagabonde — 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.