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THE FINAL Passage! | Sailing New Caledonia to New Zealand

July 14, 2025 · 30 min · 58K views · South Pacific Ocean

What this video covers

A 14-day passage from New Caledonia to New Zealand aboard the sailboat Kiana tests the crew as they navigate a complex weather system.0:04 Relying on a professional weather router, the sailors attempt a "boomerang" route, heading far west to catch the bottom of a low-pressure system before turning toward New Zealand.1:25 The strategy results in four days of heavy wind and seas, followed by two days of doldrums, forcing the crew to conserve fuel for the final approach.12:13 During the transit, the autopilot struggles in heavy following seas, and the crew experiences significant water ingress in the cockpit.5:39 Upon reaching the coast of New Zealand, the sailors utilize land-effect winds to complete the final 35 miles.21:17 Following the passage, the owners announce the sale of Kiana in Whangarei, New Zealand, citing a desire to reunite with their aging dog and transition to land-based careers.25:13 The crew plans to pause their content production while continuing to mentor new sailors through Blue Water Cruising.28:14

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