27August 2024 – Moorea- Tahiti
It was a nice calm still morning with little wind and the hills and surroundings looked lovely as the sun came up. We ha breakfast and prepared to move as we were returning to Tahiti as the weather looked calm. We planned to anchor outside Marina Taina and then go into the marina on the 28th.
When we were ready we upped anchor and this time we sprayed it with our fire hose as it came up so it was clean and did not leave mud everywhere. This worked well and we had a clean anchor locker again. We motored toward the passe to leave and the wind direction meant that we would have to motor to the Northeast end of Moorea before we could sail.
We motored out the passe and then directly into the wind and waves. Initially this was not too bad but then they began to rise and we were punching into them which sent water over the deck but it was only we hoped for an hour or so. The forecast was for the wind to come from the East and about 10-16 kts with no real gusts. As we were motoring I saw over on our right a motorboat and before it two spouts – whales. I watched further and called Mark and Corinne and saw two more spouts and then a large tail go up in the air and they then disappeared. Poor Mark and Corinne missed it. We assumed they were humpback whales which migrate this time of the year. We hoped to spot them again bit unfortunately they had gone.
We reached the corner after some uncomfortable conditions and put up the staysail initially and then we put up the genoa as well. The wind increased over time to about 21-22 kts so we decided to take down the genoa and run on just the staysail but we were being beaten back by the wind and waves. These were not comfortable conditions and not good for Corinne. We therefore motor sailed and made some reasonable progress but the wind increased and at times we had 33 kts – totally unforecast. It took a few hours to get near the coast of Tahiti and due to the wind direction we had to take the Staysail down and motor. There had already been a lot of water on deck and the sucking noise of the deck drains had been quite load. We were now getting water coming up and on to the Doghouse and soaking me at the helm. The waves and wind meant we were only able to make between 3-5 kts on reasonable revs. The faster you go the more you smash into the waves. There is therefore a balance to be had.
We made slow progress but as we were about to ask permission to enter the passe two large ships came out and we had to wait. Once they had gone we entered the passe and it was like going from a force 8 wave wise to a flat calm in about 250 yards as we were now behind the reef which circles Tahiti. We motored on and round to the airport and we were given permission to cross the Eastern end and we continued inside the reef and through the buoyed channel.
We then asked permission to pass the western end and it was given. However, as we passed the runway we saw an aeroplane come in and it was very close to our mast! We motored on and tried twice to anchor near the marina but the anchor dragged so we went further away and tried again and this worked. Corinne had had an eye issue and it needed to be seen so we got the dinghy out and went into the marina and Mark and Corinne went off in a taxi. I got the box which I had sent from the UK when I was there which had arrived which was great.
I returned to Stormbird to wait. I cleared up and sorted out a few things. There was a small leak from the freshwater system which needed to be resolved which I did by reseating the seal and making sure it was clean and free of anything which would interfere with the seal. This worked which was great.
Corinne was sent for a scan but the Doctor concluded this was not required. She has an appointment for tomorrow morning to see the Ophthalmologist. Whilst they were at hospital I had supper on my own and then later collected Mark & Corinne from the marina and they had the remainder of the chicken curry. The hospital visit had been good and with the right result but Corinne now needs to see the Ophthalmologist. Hopefully that will be positive too.
The picture is of our view back to Moorea from the anchorage in Tahiti in the evening.
Crewing Opportunity Year Two
In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.
If there is any interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
The blog will continue as we move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com