Niuatoputapu to Vava'u Passage Summary

Hi everyone,

Here is a summary of our 175nm passage between Tongan islands Niuatoputapu and Vava'u.  We sailed in close company with Netherlands OCC SVs Walkabout and Wandelaar.  It was a great passage save only for the wind direction and current pushing us all W.  This and a fading breeze led to our all motoring in to the lee of Vava'u and we then hove-to for the night.

Zen Again in Neiafu

Here are the usual plots...

Track

Arrival

Graphs

Here are the vital stats for the passage…

    • Distances/Speeds

        • Route Distance = 175 nm

        • Logged Distance = 190 nm

        • GPS Distance = 206 nm

        • Duration = 2 days 2 hours

        • Average speed = 3.8 kt (including while hove-to)

        • Minimum boat speed = 0.5 kt

        • Maximum boat speed = 6 kt

    • Weather

        • Minimum wind speed = 3 kt

        • Average wind speed = 10 knots

        • Maximum wind speed = 18 with gusts to 24

        • Apparent wind angle range = 40 to 100

        • Seas 1-2m

        • Swell 1-2m

        • Clear with 1/8 cloud mostly except overcast when rain squalls around

        • 1/2 waxing moon

    • Engine

        • Total = 10 hours

        • Driving = 10 hours

        • Charging = 0 hours

    • Failures

        • None

    • Stars

        • The boat - as always

It was fun to sail with two other boats of similar speeds and in wind varying from 5 to 20 knots.  Wandelaar is a Bronsveen Colin Archer ketch.  Walkabout is an Ovni 345.  After 30 hours sailing we were still close to each other.

Departing together (with Amel 50 Traveller IV ahead)

Wandelaar, Zen Again & Walkabout (L-R) 30 hours later

Winds started E 8G12 under an almost clear blue sky.  With hindsight we should have held higher but instead rhumb-lined S.  Overnight a band of cloud moved over bringing a few showers and 18G24 wind which veered SSE.  This put us hard on the wind.  And a 0.5-1.0 knot current was also pushing us W.

The next day the wind gradually decreased and backed, but only to the SE.  We passed close to Fonualei Island with all three yachts in line abreast.  As the wind continued to die and the sea state improved we resorted to the engine to take us E towards Vava'u.  When in the lee of the island that evening we hove-to for the night.  The half moon set spectacularly and the star-scape which followed was awesome.

In the Niuatoputapu passage

Full Sail

Passing Fonualei Island

At 0700 the engine went back on and we motored to Neiafu, the main town on Vava'u.  Many of our OCC &/or EBBYC friends are here.  We picked up a mooring close to Mango's restaurant.

Dawn twilight with Vava'u in silhouette

Approaching Vava'u

On a mooring off Mango's dinghy dock

View of Neiafu anchorage

Trust all's well where you are!