The Pacific Currents
The crew of this Excess 11 have had a fantastic time crossing the Pacific, with an unforgettable welcome in French Polynesia.
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Publié le
01/08/2024
Par
Gilles Ruffet
Numéro :
197
Parution :
Sep.
/
Oct.
2024
Where: between Europe and French Polynesia
Multihull: Excess 11
Blog: www.hina-tristan.com
In order to take advantage of a stronger, following current, we opted for a slightly northerly route, which was a little longer and with slightly less reliable trade winds. We took the gamble and after a few days we were in another dimension: in a very stable wind of around twelve knots or so and under code 0. We were making almost constant headway at between 9 and 10 knots, with several comfortable days where we managed to cover more than 200 miles. It was bliss. It’s times like these when we feel invincible. With a week to go before we would reach the Marquesas, we decided to leave this current, which had helped us so much. In a steady wind, we were still making good progress, often at around 7 knots. At last! Hiva Oa came into sight. The welcome in the Marquesas is exceptional. Hinatéa’s father, who obviously knows everyone on the island after living there for several years, has organized a welcome with the schoolchildren. We could hear the drumming and singing even before entering the harbor. Hinatéa was covered in flower necklaces, and we were offered loads of fresh fruit.
We left the Marquesas for the final leg of our journey. The boat was gliding along well under code 0, in a steady wind of around 12-14 knots. Maybe it’s psychological, but I had the impression that the boat, lighter than when we left France, with less food and fuel, was making better progress. We arrived at Anse Amyot on Toau. This bay is a false channel to the lagoon, protected from the swell but surrounded by coral bommies. You really feel like you’re at the end of the world. Around a hundred miles from Tahiti, we hit the most violent squall of the entire voyage. The wind picked up from 10 to 40 knots in just a few minutes, and we ended up lowering the mainsail completely, sailing under just the jib, essentially trying to outrun it. Our last sunset at sea was one of the most beautiful of the entire voyage, and we dropped anchor for the last time. The Tahitian lagoon is as beautiful and wild as ever in this part of the island. Before we left France, neither of us had ever spent a night at sea!
