Sailing Some Tuesdayvideo
Four days until we cross the Pacific! Weather planning and getting sleep on a 20-30 day passage.
March 29, 2026 · 9 min · 136 views · El Salvador
Sailor plots Pacific course at night, screen glow on face
What this video covers
A crew preparing for a 3,300-nautical-mile Pacific crossing from El Salvador to French Polynesia uses PredictWind to model departure dates and route options.1:02 The software simulates wind speed, direction, and potential weather hazards, such as thunderstorms, to optimize the passage.1:44 For a planned April 2nd departure, the model predicts a 19-day transit with 56% downwind sailing and 42% reaching.3:39 The crew maintains safety during the 20-to-30-day passage by alternating two-to-three-hour shifts.4:15 When offshore and clear of shipping lanes, they supplement these shifts with 30-minute sleep intervals.5:17 To ensure safety during these rests, the crew monitors radar up to 24 miles and uses AIS data to track commercial vessels up to 100 miles away.5:06 They verify the closest point of approach for all identified targets and set a 30-minute alarm to ensure constant vigilance, even when the autopilot is engaged.8:24
Boats in this video
More from Sailing Some Tuesday
From Sailing Some Tuesday — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.