Sailing La Vagabonde · video

What this video covers

Riley departs Vava'u, Tonga, on a 1,200-nautical-mile solo passage.0:53 Shortly after clearing the island chain, a winch breaks, leaving him with only one functional gear.3:10 He decides to continue the voyage rather than turn back, opting to reroute lines to compensate for the mechanical failure.3:07 He notes the similarity to a previous winch failure during an Atlantic crossing, where attempts to disassemble the unit resulted in lost parts.3:14 The route includes a potential stop at Minerva Reef for weather shelter, but he identifies the main island of Vava'u as the final point for emergency repairs.1:36 During the first night, he maintains a strict watch schedule, taking only short naps while navigating near land.4:42 He prepares the cockpit for night sailing by securing loose gear and organizing lighting.5:14 Lightning storms pass to the starboard side, though the weather system remains behind the boat.6:05

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