Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
Go Where No Sailing Channel Has Gone Before: 13 Epic Patagonia Anchorages [Ep. 145]
April 14, 2024 · 30 min · 54K views · Easter Island
What this video covers
The crew of the 38-ft sloop Sweet Ruca completed a 700-mile circumnavigation of northern Patagonia, traveling between Puerto Montt and the Laguna San Rafael glacier during the austral summer.1:16 Navigating the fjords required careful weather routing to avoid funneling northerly winds and managing strong tidal currents.4:21 The route included stops at Isla Pelada, the thermal springs at Cahuelmo and Porcelana, and the remote outpost of Melimoyu.3:00 At Cahuelmo, the crew utilized mooring balls and stern lines to secure the vessel in a confined, gear-strewn anchorage.3:54 The final leg to Laguna San Rafael involved a five-mile river passage timed with the tides to navigate through dense fields of drifting icebergs.22:05 The crew coordinated with the vessel SV Candine to manage the approach and departure, using boat hooks and hand signals to clear ice from the path.28:47 The voyage concluded with a successful visit to the tidewater glacier face.25:33 Careful tidal planning and local knowledge of anchorage hazards are essential for safe navigation in the Patagonian fjords.
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