Made 142 miles noon to noon yesterday, deep reaching in light winds with Monitor steering the way. We are passing the uninhabited island of Meetia right now, only a few miles to our south. Approaching Tahiti tonight with an ETA tomorrow afternoon. Amazing we still have full fuel tanks from san Francisco! Light breezes and smooth seas, ghosting along nicely tonight.
0344 Zulu
17 48′ S
148 01.7′ W
SOG 5.6 kts
Exited Tahanea atoll yesterday morning and are under 1st reef main and yankee, on a deep reach toward Papeete, Tahiti! Gentle seas and 15 knot breeze. Fabulous snorkeling in the Tuamotus, magical underwater kingdom! Glad we escaped the “Dangerous” archipelago unscathed–saw a huge wreck on the horizon yesterday. Will send pics from Papeete.
0856 Zulu
17 14 14.7′ S
146 09.8′ W
SOG 5.5 kts
Made our biggest run yesterday at 170 nm! Monitor steering the whole way from Eiao, haven’t had to touch a thing. Approaching Tahanea atoll. Nice full moon this week to navigate by.
0642 Zulu
15 46′ S
144 05′ W
SOG 7 kts
We are closing in fast on the Tuamotus group and aiming for an atoll called Tahanea. Yesterday we covered 162 nm! Close-hauled to beam breach. Another fast run for Privateer!
1326 Zulu
13 56′ 9″ S
143 22′ W
SOG 7.9 kts
Making a fast reach in 14-18 knot SE trades! Didn’t have to touch sails or Monitor all day. Moon is waxing to full for our passage through the Tuamotus–good timing. We sailed through a vast school of tuna and landed a 40-pounder in the cockpit–freezer is stocked!
0851 Zulu
10 55′ S
141 52′ W
SOG 7 kts
Under sail en route from Eiao, Marquesas Islands, to the Tuamotu archipelago. About a 550 mile passage. Left Eiao this evening and are flying along with 1st reef in Main, full yankee full staysail. Monitor steering and making 8 knots! Huge fish that look like massive grey goldfish at Eiao. One took a papaya into it’s mouth after Kelsey threw it overboard. We are sad to leave the Marquesas, but it feels good to be on the blue road again!
1752 Zulu
08 34′ 18″ S
140 58′ 55″ W
SOG 8 kts
Last night we departed Anaho Bay on Nuku Hiva and sailed all the way up to the deserted island of Eiao! Great sail all the way. We made an initial landing on the beach tonight and will search for an abandoned prison colony tomorrow. We’re short on information about the island, as no one seems to come here, but one book claims there are “Asses of enormous size” on the island. The anchorage is comfortable and we are the only boat at Eiao! It’s wild and beautiful. We will explore this place until a good wind builds to take us to the Tuamotu atolls.
We are leaving Anaho Bay soon and we are awaiting favorable winds for our sail to the Tuamotu atolls. No wind in the forecast this week, and we may sail to the deserted island of Eiao while we wait for the trades to re-establish. Great times in Anaho Bay!
Happy Birthday Nep!!
Staying in Anaho Bay for a while longer–it’s hard to leave this place! We’ve befriended a great crew that sails a Swan 89, and are having a blast hanging out with them. Yesterday we played music late into the night. Our friends rented a car and we’ve been hiking the trail over the pass to the road and driving to Taiohae Bay to do all of our provisioning. Internet in town didn’t work for us so we’ll have to wait until Papeete for the big updates and photos. Until then, we’ll get back to writing each night we have some extra volts in the battery bank!
We’re anchored snug in Anaho Bay on the North side of Nuku Hiva, swimming with octopus and manta rays and exploring vast incredible ruins in the jungle here. Eating coconuts off the beach, spearfishing with friends, harvesting wild mangoes, and maintaining our beloved Privateer. Several hundred bananas swaying from the arch on three stalks gifted to us, eating mahi-mahi for dinner, hiking, snorkeling, perfectly protected anchorage. Needless to say we will remain here for a while longer!
-P
