WEsail · video

What this video covers

A 440-nautical-mile passage from Hiva Oa to the Tuamotus serves as a performance test for a cruising sailboat following recent upgrades, including a clean bottom and the installation of Gory folding propellers. The crew reports sustained speeds of 7.5 to 9 knots on a 50-degree reach, a significant improvement over previous performance. Before departure, the crew repaired a failing dinghy motor by fabricating a custom carburetor gasket from a milk carton. The passage plan shifted from a planned stop at Fatu Hiva to a direct transit to the Tuamotus to capitalize on a four-day weather window of favorable easterly winds. The crew utilizes weather modeling software to compare multiple forecast lines, noting that consistency across models within a two-to-three-day window provides the highest reliability. During the transit, the crew maintains contact with a buddy boat via VHF radio and attempts to fish, losing a large marlin after it breaks the line above the swivel. The upgrades to the hull and propulsion system significantly increase boat speed in moderate wind conditions.

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