Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
No Drama - Just Glorious Tradewind Sailing in the South Pacific [Ep. 151]
May 26, 2024 · 25 min · 35K views · Pacific Ocean
What this video covers
Kate and Curtis are sailing their boat, Sweet Ruca, on a 4,000-mile passage from Chile to French Polynesia.0:21 During the first two weeks, the crew manages sail plans using Expedition software to track performance against polar targets.1:22 They alternate between a reefed genoa and mainsail for conservative, stable progress and a large blue R2 runner spinnaker for speed in lighter conditions.1:42 When wind shifts or squalls occur, the crew prioritizes safety by dousing the spinnaker using a sock before jibing or encountering heavy weather.5:24 On day nine, a Southern Ocean low brings choppy, eight-to-nine-second period swells that challenge the autopilot, forcing the crew to slow the boat by furling the jib to maintain control.10:27 Despite these conditions, they maintain speeds between five and ten knots.1:57 The crew successfully manages night spinnaker runs in stable air, balancing the need for speed with the risks of handling the kite with only two people on board.20:36
More from Sailing Sweet Ruca
From Sailing Sweet Ruca — 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.