I’m on my way to the Herald Cays, two tiny islands out in the Australian Coral Sea. But Reykja is wrecked. The motor of the windlass crashed. Shortly later the V-belt between the steering wheel and the hydraulic broke. Spare parts are difficult to get and take their time. But I can’t wait at anchor for ages. It would drive me mad. So I am pushing the limits and start this expedition. I will need to find solutions and improvise with the broken technique. But that’s sailing.
Pacific
Sailing alone. How? The technical issues for solo sailing across oceans
Sailing alone means: no crew, no arguments, no bad food. It’s just me. I’m responsible for everything. I am free. But sailing alone also means: danger. When do I sleep? What if I fall ill? There are no sailing courses and only a few books. You have to learn by doing. You make mistakes and in the best case you learn from them. Sometimes that’s hard and expensive.
Winter Gales
Lord Howe Island, 700 kilometres from Sydney, in the Pacific. UNESCO World Heritage Site. These 700 kilometres are tough. Lots of wind, waves, broken equipment and seasickness. It’s winter, time for storms. Winter storms.
Your natural state. From Tasmania to Sydney.
I have sailed more than half around the world to Launceston, Tasmania. This video is about marvelling around in my destination. Off course I go sailing afterwards. I’m aiming for a long passage to Tonga but end up in Sydney. Not quite by choice.
Gale or Sturm?
Gale is part of the risk while sailing the world. Gale guarantees clicks on YouTube, surrounds the sailor with the aura of a hero. No wonder this word is used so often. But if you really get caught in a gale, it changes the ship and the sailor massively. ‘Sturm’ is wind with a speed … Read more
Reefs and Volcanos. Sailing alone across the Pacific Ocean. Part 4: In Tonga
Can I sail a reef system with wind alone and without a motor? How does it feel to cross submerged volcanoes that reach up to 30 meters below the surface? My route: from Samoa to Niuatoputapu and the Vava’u archipelago in Tonga.
Gale and doldrums. Sailing from Bora Bora to Samoa
Life goes differently than my planning. Actually, I wanted to sail to Penrhyn, the northernmost Cook Island. Instead, I end up in a Doldrum area, a stationary zone with no wind. New plan, new course. And instead of doldrums, now gale is predicted. Will I find shelter in the middle of the open Pacific? Or do I have to go through it? My route: from Bora Bora via Suwarrow to Samoa, in the middle of the Pacific.
Sailing alone across the Pacific Ocean – Part 2. French Polynesia under sail.
Intact islands, stunning landscapes. In the middle of the Pacific. This is the best country I have seen – so far. I meet friendly people, search for weathered tikis, marvel at enigmatic fish and screeching birds. And learn how to navigate the atoll: strong currents in the passes, nasty coral reefs in the unmapped lagoon. My route: From Hiva Oa in the Marquesan archipelago to Tahiti, Fakrarava and Tikehau in the Tuamotu archipelago.