To Taha'a from Raiatea -great snorkelling, a whale sighting, lost boat hooks and anchoring problem
4 September 2023 · 27 min · 600 views · Coral Garden
What this video covers
Solo sailor Jeanne Socrates prepares for a passage from French Polynesia to Tonga, navigating between the islands of Raiatea and Taha'a. During an initial attempt to anchor in a deep inlet on Taha'a, a faulty windlass down-switch and a jammed gypsy forced a return to the Carinage in Raiatea.5:29 A local contact, Thierry, identified a shared electrical connection between the windlass and a cockpit remote as the source of the failure.10:31 After cleaning and greasing the gypsy and isolating the electrical circuit, the windlass functioned correctly.10:46
While in the area, the sailor visited the Coral Gardens near Taha'a for drift snorkeling, accessing the site by dinghy and walking across a motu to reach the current.21:38 Preparations for the upcoming passage included hoisting and deflating the dinghy on the foredeck, stowing the outboard motor on the stern, and meal prepping.24:56 Due to incoming adverse weather, the planned stop at Aitutaki was canceled in favor of a direct route to Tonga.27:18
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