Sailing Sweet Ruca · video

What this video covers

Sweet Ruca sails a 1,200-mile passage from French Polynesia toward American Samoa, navigating variable wind speeds and lumpy sea states.Watch To maintain speed in 14 knots of breeze at a 160-degree true wind angle, the crew deploys a large asymmetrical spinnaker.5:37 When surfing waves causes the apparent wind to shift forward, the spinnaker flogs and risks wrapping around the forestay.4:53 To manage sheet tension and prevent overrides during these adjustments, the crew uses a hand-braking technique on the winch.7:10 In lighter conditions, the crew drops the mainsail to prevent slatting against the backstay, later re-hoisting it while under sail to improve boat speed.9:01 They utilize a first reef in the mainsail to manage the sail's large roach and reduce wear in light, rolling seas.13:59 The vessel uses Evolution Expedition Carbon Membrane sails, which the crew credits for their ability to maintain movement in winds as low as 1.6 to 3 knots.12:53

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