Marquesas to Tuamotus Passage Summary

Hi everyone,

Here is the summary of our passage from Marquesas to the Tuamotus, both in French Polynesia.  It was a 500nm passage.  We had light airs throughout, making it our longest passage ever under full sail.  We only had reefs or furls in for a few hours during the early part of the passage.  We had to motor through a calm, and at the end to make it to the Makemo eastern pass at slack water.  It was a lovely passage with 'champagne sailing' practically all the way.

Under full sail

Here are the usual plots...

Track

Arrival

Graphs

Here are the vital stats for the passage…

    • Distances/Speeds

        • Route Distance = 500nm

        • Logged Distance = 490nm (yes, the log is under-reading slightly)

        • GPS Distance = 515nm

        • Duration = 4 days 6 hours

        • Average speed over ground = 5.0 kt

        • Average day's run = ~120nm

        • Best day's run = 126nm

        • Minimum boat speed = 3.5 kt

        • Maximum boat speed = 6.0 kt

    • Weather

        • Minimum wind speed = 1 kt

        • Average wind speed = 9 knots

        • Maximum wind speed = 15 with gusts to 22

        • Apparent wind angle range = 60 to 140

        • Seas up to 1.5m at start, reducing to 0.5m for most of the passage

        • Swell 2m initially reducing to 1m for most of the passage 

        • Clear with 1/8 cloud except for one afternoon/evening with 6/8 cloud

        • Full or nearly full moon every night

    • Engine

        • Total = 18 hours

        • Driving = 18 hours

        • Charging = 0 hours

    • Failures

        • None

    • Stars

        • The boat - she's a witch in light airs, despite a small main and full fuel, water & provisions

        • Tasker mainsail and Kemp yankee

        • Pelagic autopilot  - steered for most of the passage due to low apparent wind

Marquesas departure

So many great sunrises and sunsets

Cloud bank before the calm

We experienced a calm which lasted for about 9 hours following a line of cloud passing overhead.  Then as we approached Makemo the wind died again.  Apart from those two 9 hour periods we sailed in winds of 8-10 knots, mostly from the ENE - NE.  So it was mostly a beam reach over a slight sea.  Champagne sailing indeed.

Transiting the pass

OCC svs Nimue & Dovka with Zen Again anchored behind at left

We plan to spend three nights here in Makemo.  After one night off Pouheve we'll be moving to the Punaruku anchorage NNW from here.

Trust all's well where you are!