Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
Too Fast for Cruising? Surfing to 10 Knots Between North Pacific Atolls [Ep. 180]
April 13, 2025 · 21 min · 19K views · Wojje Atoll
What this video covers
Kate and Curtis, sailing the 45-foot catamaran Sweet Ruca, transit from Wotje Atoll to Likiep Atoll in the Marshall Islands.0:14 To maintain a daytime arrival, the crew departs Wotje Atoll through the western pass, navigating shallow, coral-strewn waters using satellite charts as a primary reference.5:53 Once in open water, they sail a 50-to-60-mile passage in 17 to 25 knots of wind with only the Genoa deployed.4:12 Despite the absence of a mainsail, the vessel maintains speeds between 7 and 10 knots while surfing down 2.5- to 3-meter swells.12:30 The crew manages the passage on autopilot, adjusting for wind shifts and current, and successfully enters the Likiep Atoll pass in the mid-afternoon.19:36 The performance of the Genoa, recently repaired by 180 Sails, allows the boat to meet or exceed target polars throughout the trip.21:25 Relying on satellite imagery for navigation in poorly surveyed atoll passes provides a significant safety margin over traditional visual methods.7:20
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