Sailing against the tradewind on the biggest ocean of the planet is no small thing, it needs to be carefully planned. So I studied and found a suitable window where a moderate wind turned slightly to the southeast which gives a better angle when sailing close haul against wind and current.
and if you do not make it? Simple...the current will bring you to Australia or Papoea New Guinea
In Tahiti I met Whitt, a very experienced salt who lives in French Polynesia for many years. I asked him for advice on the upcoming passage. He said: it is very important that you keep out of the current. Therefore you need to make your easting first while you are still under the Tuamotus because there is less current there. And be patient, do not go north too soon!
Current on route from Papeete to Atuona. Windy indeed confirms that the current is less under the Tuamotus
But first time to enjoy Moorea a bit longer while waiting. The island surely shows herself from her best side.
a blacktip shark while snorkling near the Sofitel on the west side
beautifull coral there too
mmmm...the fishfinder switches itself off. It needs to be repaired first. Don't want to go without it
ah, saltwater inside, internal cleaning and a layer of conformal coating and it works again
back to Tahiti from Moorea, Pointe Venus is a good departure point
bye Tahiti
wish me strenght, endurance and no broken material underway
this is the actual sailed route, 946 nm from Tahiti to Nuku Hiva
While tacking east against the wind the latest weather prediction is telling that the wind will deminish soon under the Tuamotus. So I take a brave decision: lets not loose the wind and sail north first - against Whitts advice- past Anse Amyotte on the atoll Toau and then make easting later in the lee of the Marquesian islands where the current is also less.
there is nobody on the ocean for many days, until suddenly this!
whats that, a fish farm? there is ony one or two boats and the rest of the AIS devices are called 'buoy'
So I try to steer around them but there are simply too many in a vast area and it takes time to realise that they are all moving in the same direction! This is 1 ship that transmits many virtual, not real, AIS buoys!
after that no more ships on the ocean. Made it, Nuku Hiva at sunrise, only a few miles to go
Still it takes the whole day because suddenly there is a lot of current to fight. The current is so strong that it is not possible to reach baie Hatiheu, had to divert to the Nuku Hiva airport anchorage as it is getting dark.
arrived!
the next day at anchor in the bay of Taioae
