Sailing Sea Change S2 Ep2 - Sailing singlehanded from Minerva Reef to Tonga
30 December 2023 · 12 min · 815 views · Minerva Reef to Tonga
What this video covers
Singlehanded, the sailor departs North Minerva Reef on August 26 for a 270-mile passage to Tongatapu, Tonga.0:52 The transit requires beating into south-easterly winds for three days, with the vessel under a triple-reefed mainsail, staysail, and half-filled jib.2:22 During the passage, the boat maintains speeds of four to five knots while navigating rough conditions and avoiding the dormant volcano Atta by 15 miles.3:33 The route features a significant encounter with a large pod of humpback whales and a massive school of dolphins engaged in a feeding frenzy.4:22 Upon arrival at the Piha Passage on August 29, the vessel completes a downwind run to the capital, Nuku'alofa.9:35 The quarantine dock at Nuku'alofa consists of high, rough concrete that complicates mooring.12:05 After clearing customs and reprovisioning, the sailor relocates to an anchorage near the island of Pangai Motu to avoid the industrial harbor.12:11
Boats in this video
More from Hugh Robertson Sailing
From Hugh Robertson Sailing — 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.



