We Never Expected This 😱 - Deploying The STORM JIB [Ep. 153]

Deploying The STORM JIB During An Epic Pacific Crossing

This week on Sweet Ruka, we encounter a sea state that nearly rivals our trip around Cape Horn and makes us break out the storm jib. Perhaps our Tradewind celebration was a bit premature! Join us – K Curtis and Roxy the dog for this thrilling conclusion of our 4,000-mile journey across the Pacific from Patagonia, Chile to French Polynesia.

The Stormy Conditions

As we transitioned from the trade winds to a southerly low, which quickly changed into a high, the conditions became extremely difficult with big waves, big winds, and lots of rain. The boat was moving at 20 knots through huge swells while experiencing intense gusts. Despite these challenging conditions, the decision to break out the storm jib proved to be useful for balancing the load of the main on the autopilot.

Exploring New Features and Tools

In order to navigate through the difficult conditions and unknown areas of the sea, we made use of various tools such as the predictwind data hub, Starlink, AIS, and open CPN software for charting and radar. These modern technologies allowed us to not only keep track of our location and surroundings but also communicate with other sailors and learn about the potential crowdedness of anchoring areas.

Arriving in Gambier Islands

A few days after our storm jib adventure, we successfully reached the Gambier Islands. We anchored behind one of the islands and waited for calmer winds before fully checking into the country. The feeling of arriving in this beautiful and remote location was incredibly rewarding and a shared sense of accomplishment could be felt amongst all those who dare to sail across vast oceans.

Final Thoughts

This experience has reminded us of the incredible capabilities and resilience that comes with ocean sailing. By utilizing various tools and technologies, we were able to face extreme weather conditions head-on while still enjoying the adventure along the way.

Check Out More Adventures!

Don’t miss out on more exciting sailing adventures – subscribe now and come along for the ride! Stay tuned for our upcoming videos, where we’ll share more stories from our time in the stunning Gambier Islands.