Sailing Sweet Ruca · video

What this video covers

During a 4,000-mile passage from Patagonia to French Polynesia, the crew of the 40-foot-plus sailboat Sweet Ruca encounters heavy weather and 4-meter seas.0:26 To balance the boat and reduce autopilot load in 22-to-30-knot winds, the crew deploys a new storm jib.10:53 The vessel maintains speeds near 10 knots under mainsail alone before adding the jib to settle the motion.5:35 During the transit, the crew performs daily deck inspections, identifying and securing loose dinghy and spinnaker tie-downs.6:36 Navigation relies on OpenCPN and radar overlays, with AIS data provided by a PredictWind Data Hub connected via Starlink.13:56 After 23 days at sea, the vessel arrives at the Gambier Islands, navigating the barrier reef entrance at dawn.21:55 The crew motors into the anchorage in 20-knot headwinds, seeking shelter behind an island to wait for conditions to moderate.22:27 Practicing with storm gear in moderate conditions provides essential experience for handling severe weather.12:36

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