Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
40 Knot Blizzard Sailing in High Latitudes [Ep. 117]
July 23, 2023 · 27 min · 38K views · Patagonia
What this video covers
Navigating the fjords of Patagonia requires constant radar monitoring and cross-referencing multiple chart sources due to significant inaccuracies in standard digital mapping. While transiting the Eagle Channel toward Isla Gordon, the crew of Sweet Ruca encountered frequent, intense squalls with wind gusts reaching 40 to 50 knots and near-zero visibility.14:45 To maintain battery levels for heating and electronics, the crew motored through these conditions rather than waiting at anchor, as fuel consumption is budgeted for daily forward progress.9:08 Navigation relied on simultaneous use of radar, OpenCPN, Navionics, and C-MAP, with the crew manually verifying radar returns against chart features to avoid hazards.13:26 The transit concluded with a shore-tie maneuver at Caleta Oya, executed during a blizzard.22:55 The crew emphasizes that relying on a single chart source in these high-latitude waters poses a severe risk of grounding, as lighthouse positions and land contours often deviate from digital data.12:51
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