Author: sailawaysarantium

Yesterday, Sarantium moved very slowly all day… on a close reach at 4.5 knots with small amount of sails up. I really wanted to go slowly and thoroughly enjoy the views from the boat. We could have raised all the sailed and moved at double the speed, but as I move towards the end of the season I want to harness the moments and continue to enjoy the NOW❤️

Three catamarans buzzed by us in top speeds but I kept Sarantium moving slowly with minimal stress on the rig and boat steering without self steering. I only locked the wheel and Sarantium held course with only a few tweaks to stay clear of the coral heads❤️

What a day🥰

I have not been able to pull right up to a fuel dock since San Diego almost a year ago… so why not fill up!

After fueling up it’s time to sail to the south western corner of Fakarava!!!

This atoll has everything one needs from good stores and restaurants to world renowned snorkeling and shark wall diving. We have spent the past two days, stocking up on vegetables and fruit, water and propane before we steer Sarantium south east to to an anchor where sailors wing-foil, kite-surf and hang out on pristine beaches!

Today the supply ship came in and all the locals were gathered to pick up their packages and orders from Tahiti! We also waited until the grocery stores filled with fruit and vegetables to fill the fridge, for our last month of sailing!

While killing time I watched sharks and giant dog fish come and eat the fish guts that the local spear fisher left behind!

More wing-foiling (this time with proper board), games, Snaps, good food och some singing!

Yay, I heard back from the dry storage here in the Archipelago De Taumotus and Sarantium will be pulled out of the water beginning of August! I contacted a couple of people, who have kept their boat stored there before, to see what their experience was like. You got to love ”noforeignland” for the ease of connecting with fellow sailors! They gave raving reviews and offered to take some shots of my boat for me in September when they haul their boat out for their second year! I’m amazed how the sailing community looks out for one another!

Until the haul-out, we spend a month between here and Fakarava, exploring and playing ….

This time, semi private…

We are tucked in close to shore to hide from the upcoming wind that’s predicted for today and tomorrow… in three days we go to Fakarava for midsommar celebrations…

We pulled anchor at 09 and sailed towards the passage, with the outgoing tide. We needed to be there for the slack at 13.00. Our next Atoll is Kauehi! This should take us 20 hours!

So, Goodmorning beautiful wind! And goodbye Makemo! But first let’s climb the mast!

One person on the helm and one on the bow to watch out for coral heads!

We had a gentle wind as soon as we pulled the anchor up! We sailed out together with our new friends from Sweden on SV Angelina, who were on the same sail plan as us!

The tide was just approaching slack as we turned on the engine to motor-sail out of the Makemo pass! Unfortunately as soon as we reached the outside the wind died so having the engine off was short-lived! The water was glassy and we crossed our fingers for wind!

For three hours we motor-sailed. As soon as the sun set, wind picked up and we could turn the engine off and raise the Genoa! Should be a good night! Goodnight and …

Out.😉

Yes, the wind held for the next 6 hours, however took us ”the wrong” direction. Normally, this is not a problems, however we had to make the 14.00 tide slack at our next atoll. So around 05.00 I turned the key on the engine ignition and we set the auto pilot for the entrance to Kauehi Atoll! It was forecasted that wind wound kick in at 07.00! And it did!