Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
Upwind Battle Down The Beagle Channel 💪[Ep. 116]
16 July 2023 · 13 min · 12K views · Beagle Channel
What this video covers
Sweet Ruca navigates the Beagle Channel in Chile, tacking upwind through narrow fjords towards a destination 35 miles away.0:29 The crew encounters wind speeds ranging from 9 to 30 knots, necessitating frequent sail changes between the number 3 jib and the staysail to manage the inner forestay.2:25 As conditions shift from sunny to rainy and sleety, the vessel maintains speeds of 7 to 9 knots before motoring into a Coleta for the final approach.9:09 To secure the boat against strong mountain gusts, the crew executes their first stern-tie to trees, using the dinghy to run a large rope to shore while monitoring for kelp and rocks at the bow.11:04 The passage requires constant attention to wind shifts and mountain shadows compared to open-ocean trade wind sailing.2:36 Tying to shore provides a secure anchorage in high-latitude conditions where weather changes rapidly.
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