Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

The crew of the 40-ft sailboat Catalpa navigates a 380-nautical-mile passage from the Marquesas to the Tuamotu archipelago in French Polynesia.1:06 They time their arrival at the atoll pass to coincide with slack tide to avoid dangerous currents, which can reach speeds of eight knots in some locations.7:22 Upon arrival, the crew anchors in 25 to 30 knots of wind and uses fenders as makeshift floats to keep their chain off the coral heads, or "bommies," within the lagoon.10:21 During the stay, the owner repairs a failed generator relay and a snapped actuator cable to restore battery charging and water-making capabilities.11:25 The crew emphasizes the necessity of entering atolls during midday when high sun angles provide visibility for navigating coral hazards.8:16 They also note the importance of local knowledge for identifying mooring buoys and traditional fishing techniques.16:38 Proper planning for tidal windows and maintaining a lookout from the spreaders are essential for safe transit through narrow, current-swept atoll passes.8:52

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