Estrellita, IP38-138, in French Polynesia
Thursday - June 19, 2008•Views: 6352••
Greetings from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, Tahiti Nui (Formerly French Polynesia)
Estrellita sailed the 3000 miles from the Galapagos to Marquesas in light winds, averaging only 10 to 12 knots, in 24 days. Just a little better than average for boats our size making the crossing in the same general time period. We were 2 to 6 miles a day faster than several of the 40 footers were tracking on the daily radio nets and 75 miles a day SLOWER than our new friends Guy and Karen on their Sun Deer 64 and 50 miles a day slower than Bill and Judy on their 53 foot Amel. For the first time we are beginning to experience a little boat envy.
For us the highlights of the trip included our first 150 mile days. Two of them in fact, along with 3 days over 140 miles. All of these are personal bests. We flew the spinnaker and/or our light air drifter for about 20 days total. We flew the spinnaker once for 4 days and nights in a row! With several other 2 and 3 day runs. Our spinnaker and light air reaching sail were spectacular tools. Our willingness to ride them even overnight and to make frequent sail changes when required by changing conditions were the secrets to our relatively fast passage.
Once in the Marquesas we were introduced to an entirely new cruising environment. Spectacular. We are Caribbean, Florida, Chesapeake Bay sailors and have never before experienced the changing conditions and deep anchorages that we are finding here. We anchored in 125 feet of water with 30 knot wind gusts after arriving after dark to a crowded Fatu Hiva anchorage. The stern anchor is more important here than I ever imagined. Sometimes to control rolling in anchorages that allow a big swell and sometimes because of overcrowding. We often use a stern anchor on the dinghy to keep it off the rocks or concrete docks that are subject to the same swell conditions.
And of course the anchorages are all beautiful. Huge rock spires with cloud halos or walls of coconut palms. Black sand beaches, which I have never seen before, and new neighbors every day as boats and anchorages change. What a world.
Here are some photos of the voyage and a few from the Marquesas. (video soon, check back)
Estrellita sailed the 3000 miles from the Galapagos to Marquesas in light winds, averaging only 10 to 12 knots, in 24 days. Just a little better than average for boats our size making the crossing in the same general time period. We were 2 to 6 miles a day faster than several of the 40 footers were tracking on the daily radio nets and 75 miles a day SLOWER than our new friends Guy and Karen on their Sun Deer 64 and 50 miles a day slower than Bill and Judy on their 53 foot Amel. For the first time we are beginning to experience a little boat envy.
For us the highlights of the trip included our first 150 mile days. Two of them in fact, along with 3 days over 140 miles. All of these are personal bests. We flew the spinnaker and/or our light air drifter for about 20 days total. We flew the spinnaker once for 4 days and nights in a row! With several other 2 and 3 day runs. Our spinnaker and light air reaching sail were spectacular tools. Our willingness to ride them even overnight and to make frequent sail changes when required by changing conditions were the secrets to our relatively fast passage.
Once in the Marquesas we were introduced to an entirely new cruising environment. Spectacular. We are Caribbean, Florida, Chesapeake Bay sailors and have never before experienced the changing conditions and deep anchorages that we are finding here. We anchored in 125 feet of water with 30 knot wind gusts after arriving after dark to a crowded Fatu Hiva anchorage. The stern anchor is more important here than I ever imagined. Sometimes to control rolling in anchorages that allow a big swell and sometimes because of overcrowding. We often use a stern anchor on the dinghy to keep it off the rocks or concrete docks that are subject to the same swell conditions.
And of course the anchorages are all beautiful. Huge rock spires with cloud halos or walls of coconut palms. Black sand beaches, which I have never seen before, and new neighbors every day as boats and anchorages change. What a world.
Here are some photos of the voyage and a few from the Marquesas. (video soon, check back)
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