Sailing Sweet Ruca · video

What this video covers

The crew of the 40-foot sailboat Sweet Ruca faces a bureaucratic hurdle when attempting to clear out of French Polynesia from the island of Moorea.2:16 While remote island groups allow for online customs clearance, authorities require an in-person visit to the Gendarmerie in Papeete, Tahiti, for vessels departing from Moorea.2:31 Facing 30-knot winds and 4-meter seas, the crew decides against sailing the boat back to Tahiti; instead, Curtis takes a ferry to Papeete to complete the paperwork in person.2:50 After successfully clearing out, the vessel departs for American Samoa.4:42 During the passage, the crew chooses to bypass the remote atoll of Maupiha to maintain momentum while favorable weather conditions persist.13:33 They maintain a reaching point of sail with the genoa and full mainsail in 7 to 10 knots of wind, aiming for an arrival in American Samoa within a week.9:56 Prioritizing a stable weather window over visiting additional anchorages ensures a safer and more efficient passage.14:30

More from Sailing Sweet Ruca

A Storm Is Brewing - The Return of Sailing Sweet Ruca [Ep. 192]Nov 2025Our New Plan REVEALED! Did you guess right? [Ep. 191]Jun 2025Can you guess the new plan? - Part 2 [Ep. 190]Jun 2025Where We’re Headed Wasn’t the Plan - Sailing UPWIND! [Ep. 189]Jun 2025

From Sailing Sweet Ruca — 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.