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Sailing Our 46 Year Old Boat 500 MILES To Vanuatu South Pacific Ocean / Pt 1

25 August 2024 · 24 min · 17K views · Viti Levu

What this video covers

A 538-nautical-mile passage from Viti Levu, Fiji, to Port Vila, Vanuatu, begins with a departure from the west side of the main island.2:51 The crew navigates through uncharted reef cuts before entering deep water, initially encountering 28-knot winds and confused, close-together seas that force the use of a triple-reefed mainsail.11:34 The vessel, a 46-year-old boat, experiences significant steering instability in the following swell, with the autopilot struggling to maintain a steady course.18:30 Two other yachts, including *Blue Beryl*, depart Fiji simultaneously and maintain proximity via AIS and VHF radio contact on channel 06.13:33 The crew monitors a developing weather front to the west, anticipating a five-day transit with variable wind conditions.5:32 Water ingress into the cockpit area during the initial rough conditions necessitates immediate drainage to protect the inverter.12:37 The passage plan relies on clear weather windows to avoid a low-pressure system developing to the south.6:29

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Boats in this video

Rival 34Their boatProut Ltd. Snowgoose 37 EliteTheir boat

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