Month: May 2025

Definitely the gnarliest ocean passage to date, and someone asked me, “weren’t you scared?” Strange but no. I somehow have always had trust in the Universe. I have faith that I will be protected somehow, always. My whole life I’ve had a strong sense of adventure, but in this ocean passage, from NZ to Fiji, I never felt like I was risking my life. The big, wide ocean doesn’t scare me. It’s immense, dark, loud, looming and very angry at times, but I chose this life. It’s a BIG life, that’s for sure, but I chose to sail the world.

I, and my strong stead of a captain/husband, are living our fullest lives possible and have no regrets. We plan, prep, research, and prepare for this sport, mentally and physically, and strongly feel that we can handle the very worst. Not always champagne sunsets, but we are suited well for it. Yes, of course there are moments of weakness, fatigue, chaos and doubt, but never fear. Scott and I try to take the calm approach when the seas and tasks get gnarly. We are an amazing team out here, I am so proud of that!! And now, on our new performance catamaran, Kalea, we choose to play an entire new game. A fast one and in big seas. It’s difficult to describe. The sounds are like riding a wagon train with an 8 horse team at the helm. It feels like we are in a washing machine. With an occasional salty spray coming into the cockpit. The sights are also unimaginable. Laying here cozily in our salon, with a cup of herbal tea, I write these words. I watch the rainy horizon go up and down, from pure grey sky to pure grey ocean. The swells behind us feel like massive monsters, but Kalea surfs smoothly down the hill, quickly going from 9 to 18 knots, then she slows down again. I think she likes it fast. Scott makes a few adjustments, tapping the autopilot up or down 2 degrees or winching in just 6 inches of a sheet. Now she is even happier, flatter, smoother and quieter. And so are we.

A highlight of this adventure passage has been us 5 catamarans sailing side by side headed to Fiji. 2 boats are previous cruiser fun friends, 1 boat is a Swiss family of 4 we just met on the charts, and lastly, sailing a Gunboat 48, is John John Florence. We amazingly all are staying within 14 miles of each other. We chat on the vhf, spy on each on the B & G, and occasionally a photo sent via starlink. The giant Mahi Mahi that Thomas caught shocked us all, imagine cleaning it in these seas! His Outremer 55 has big back decks!

Some of us send out screenshots of our instrument panels, bragging rights I guess. As for other daily chores and activities; it’s mainly taking watch, eating, napping, sail changes, 10 minutes of starlink for weather updates and a few chats home. Maybe we try to refuel the generator, due to no solar power (see video). Very rarely it’s cooking, showering, cleaning the mess, board games or reading. And, latest update, winds and seas are too big to head up to Savusavu, so we head to the South Island and into Port Denerau. So, with that, I sign off of FB and find a slip in a marina. Thank you reading!