Before setting off for the 3000 nm passage to the Marquesas we saw the usual critters you would expect to see in the Galapagos.
This youngster was in his sixties
Check out this ol boy dragging his ol boy thru the rocks
The Princess counting turtles
Blue footed boobies
and more bloody sea lions. The novelty soon wore off as they tried to take over the yacht. We had to fight them off the swimming platform.
Finally we were away. The weather was pretty kind to us as we made our way SW in search of the trade winds.
?
Vernie da Vane steered
The gourmet fare continued as usual.
We did some surfing
We didn`t care for these squalls especially if one snuck up during the night.
We tried to catch fish without much success. We were going too fast and the fish were too big. This lure returned minus its three hooks
Steering by the wind angle was tricky. The straight line was the course we tried to steer, but the wind had other ideas.
Flying fish for breakfast? No thanks.
Sundowners.
We talked twice daily with about fifteen other yachts also sailing across at the time.
There were many more around. This was the peak season.
We tried this sail plan but it was not very successful in rolly conditions.
Refuelling at sea.
Then the wind deserted us. The forecast said no wind for four or five days, so we motored for 36 hrs to Fatu Hiva. A sad way to finish the crossing.
Approaching the Marquesas
Landfall Fatu Hiva after nineteen days.
The anchorage at Hanavave was spectacular. The island landscape most dramatic.
We celebrated with friends who had arrived before us.
There were 15 yachts in the anchorage
Direct line distance 3000 nm
Elapsed time 19.2 days.
Distance sailed thru the water [a current opposed much of the passage ] 3450 nm
Average spd 7.45 kts.
Casualties: first reef line chafed and parted and ripped out a few lower msail slides.
Highest wind experienced 28 kts.
All in all a great sail apart from the need to motor for 36 hrs.
