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The Crossing That Tested Everything (700 Miles Fiji to New Caledonia) | FROM THE VAULT FLASHBACK
October 1, 2026 · 53 min · 2K views · Nadi
What this video covers
A 700-mile passage from Fiji to New Caledonia tests the crew and their vessel, Chequers, as they navigate shifting wind patterns and a developing low-pressure system.0:28 After clearing customs in Fiji, the crew encounters a jammed dinghy halyard that requires a mast climb to resolve.3:58 The route requires a strategic push south to maintain an optimal wind angle against prevailing southeasterlies, which occasionally reach 25 knots and create three-meter swells.14:36 The crew manages the boat’s motion by reefing the mainsail and balancing the sail plan from the cockpit, noting that the vessel performs best when sailing downwind but slams in headier conditions.8:49 Navigation challenges include a malfunctioning AIS with a limited two-mile range and the need to time the arrival through a reef system in New Caledonia after dark.18:45 The passage highlights the necessity of monitoring isobar kinks for potential squalls and the importance of adjusting sail area to maintain a comfortable, steady pace rather than beating the boat in heavy seas.26:02
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