Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
Why We Skipped This Popular Island and Continued Sailing [Ep. 162]
August 25, 2024 · 18 min · 17K views · Opanohu Bay, Moorea
What this video covers
The crew of the 40-foot sailboat Sweet Ruca faces a bureaucratic hurdle when attempting to clear out of French Polynesia from the island of Moorea.2:16 While remote island groups allow for online customs clearance, authorities require an in-person visit to the Gendarmerie in Papeete, Tahiti, for vessels departing from Moorea.2:31 Facing 30-knot winds and 4-meter seas, the crew decides against sailing the boat back to Tahiti; instead, Curtis takes a ferry to Papeete to complete the paperwork in person.2:50 After successfully clearing out, the vessel departs for American Samoa.4:42 During the passage, the crew chooses to bypass the remote atoll of Maupiha to maintain momentum while favorable weather conditions persist.13:33 They maintain a reaching point of sail with the genoa and full mainsail in 7 to 10 knots of wind, aiming for an arrival in American Samoa within a week.9:56 Prioritizing a stable weather window over visiting additional anchorages ensures a safer and more efficient passage.14:30
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