Our sailing home takes us, Scott and Kathy Erwin to travel the world one island at a time. Come along on this adventure to learn, or join Kathy’s Yoga, and explore and see the world.
Sailing to the outer islands of Fiji, we experience an entirely different way of life. The simple life. We get to participate in the Sevusevu experience with the village chief and spokesman. Typically, as we first anchor down our Catamaran in their lovely atoll bay, we pull the dingy up the beach to look around. In these outer barely populated islands, we are greeted by a village spokesperson. He reminds us of the proper clothing attire (Sulu skirt, no hats or sunglasses, and women are dressed covering to the elbows and knees. (We later learned that Christianity introduced this) 😊
Here in Faluga, we are directly escorted to the chiefs home. This is usually a simple hut, with tin sides, a woven coconut frond mat on the floor for sitting, open air windows, and a twin bed in the room. Kitchens and bathrooms are outdoors and often a shared area. We go inside, barefooted to see the Chief sitting cross legged on the floor. We show respect with an introduction. We give him a bundle of Kava root and the chief then gives us a blessing to stay in the bay as long as we wish and be part of the village. We all clap three times, I guess to seal the deal. We may also give some small items like reading glasses, a few clothes, or a simple sturdy toy for the children. He invites us to share ideas, local news and stories while we sit in a circle on the floor. We learn some facts about their village culture and history. We get to fish his waters, take coconuts, walk his beaches and explore the rain forest. 😊
Since Fijians are so friendly, we chat with everyone in Faluga that walks by. Everyone is barefooted and casually busy with their chore of the week which is usually assigned by the chief. Afterschool, the children are eager to play and goof around with us. I give a little girl a lollipop and a deck of cards. It’s amazing to experience the innocence of their casual and simple lifestyle. REFRESHING. Only simple paths connect the tin open air houses, the one church is framed with stucco siding as a safe place for all to gather during a cyclone. There are no roads, since there are no vehicles. Sand paths connect all the homes and gardens. There aren’t any refrigerators or freezers, or washing machines. There are 2 generators for all to share or rent. Gas for their few longboats and food staples are delivered once a month for all to buy into. Villagers either pay a few dollars or trade with their personal goods (fish, lobster, clams, beans, kassava…)
Faluga is a unique island, as the chief decided to assign each sailboat to a host family for the entirety of the stay. We are treated as family and often share meals (called Lovo, served on the floor, no utensils, drinks or napkins). We exchange ideas, laugh at our commonalities, talk about each others history or politics. This special time is so endearing and educational for both parties. Together we hike, collect coconuts, weave mats, and search the beach for clams.
Tie is our host, we walk to gardens and we pick cabbage, kassava and beans. We later explore the trails, school, church, and any historical area of the cave of bones, high in the hill. Tie has also arranged for us to go out on a spearfishing adventure with his cousins. A kava night has been arranged. We see some his brothers canoe at a sailboat selling fish and fruit. Tie takes us to the ladies’ handicrafts for us to admire, purchase or trade. I have bought baskets, jewelry, and special shells. Thank you for reading this review of a Fiji village, in October we say goodbye to Fiji and head west to Vanuatu.
Watch these amazing underwater wonders and the villager childrens dances and smiles!
We sure loved the Yasawa Islands of Fiji. There are 15 words in the Fijian language meaning Heaven and ‘Yasawa’ is the first. We found this heaven underwater. The island chain is home to some of Fiji’s best snorkelling and diving spots, so take a look. Mostly volcanic islands, with white sandy beaches and healthy coral reefs a plenty. The diving was excellent! One anchorage had a huge limestone mountain with snorkeling caves below. The top hits were seeing numerous anemones with their clown fish, lion fish, cuttlefish, squid, giant mantas, eels, and unique colorful corals. Of course, there are plenty of other adventures to be had on land. Beachcoming, bonfires, sand bar yoga, finding unique shells, learning the local culture & meeting great people.
With Stacy Kimmy
Great cruiser friends: Kevin & Stacy on Flying Free from Paso Robles, Pierre & Marie on Viva from Quebec, and Thomas & Irene on Ananda from Australia. All will be planning a circumnavigation, some headed to Indonesia this year, some next year with us.
Hi folks! This is the tour we promised everyone. We are sitting in an Auckland Marina, enjoying the lively city. We are busy fitting the boat for our needs. We had to learn to drive on the left side of the road, with our rental car, 😵💫. New Zealand is beautiful so far.
We have been doing a few boat jobs, have some bits of fun in the big city, and a ton of shopping. Kalea had some basics, but not the full Monty. Thank goodness Amazon Australia has most of what we need, they ship to NZ too.
So we were walking around Westhaven marina yesterday and dropped in a local Yacht Club for glass of wine. I looked up and said Holy Moley, I looked around again searching for the name of the Club and it was the “Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron”. LOL
Right above our heads on the balcony was the Americas Cup!!!! Too fun and so random. The club walls were covered in hundreds of years of sailing history and trophies. The New Zealand folk take sailing very seriously and we were amazed how open the club was and how much the community is involved. We had a very welcoming visit with a few of the members and one invited us back to see the Sail GP races here next month from the club restaurant. Yup, gunna do that, after the holidays!
Adventuring up in Seattle after a terrific week visiting family in Santa Cruz, California. Below Kathy and Mom (Sue Krevitt) find a yummy spot for a lunch date. It’s so super being with my parents and extended family doing a few special hikes, Redwoods Yoga, hot tubs, and yummy dinners. We went out necessary clothes shopping, since everything we had was a bit salty and sun bleached.
Up in Seattle, we visited our great boater friends we met in Mexico; Dean and Gaby. They hosted us on their 72 foot motor yacht (for sale, btw). We were so lucky to have 10 great, sunny, beautiful days with them cruising around the San Juan Islands.
Two weeks back in the States and we are slowly getting use to “American” habits. -Taking a shower with as much water as we used to use in a week -phone and internet service available 24/7/365 -meat selection that would feed a whole village for a month -ability not only to buy basic vegetables but also genetically altered veg like brokiflower. -the need for shoes other than our trusty flip-flops -blankets, sheets, blue jeans and sweatshirts oh my. -pasty white skin again. Where’s my tan!!???
We also had an amazing week in Washington with Dean and Gaby on Ave Marina (we met them in Mexico and made quick friends). Kathy and I were invited to speak at the Seattle boat show and we then headed north to the San Juan’s.
We loved the variety of boats and great food both served up by an amazing cook Gaby and nice meals out in the city(s). Seattle and Tacoma. We also got to spend some time with Nashun Robinson which we also know from Mexico. It’s just amazing how many new friends we have all over the world now. The San Juan’s are beautiful but very different than other cruising grounds. No swimming for sure and the cruisers typically don’t relate with each other (🤷) but there is stunning scenery and flat calm waters. Nice to be crew for a while and not the captain. 🙂
Yes! You too can enjoy the cruising life on Ave Marina as she is for sale. Dean and Gaby are looking forward to building a house in Montana and looking for the next boat……(maybe a bit smaller).
We attended the Boat Show here, did a talk about our World Sailing Adventure and explored the big city. We motored up to the San Juan’s, Victoria and Sucia Island, Friday and Roche Harbors. A bit cold and rainy though a few days, but very fun and beautiful.
(For those following our boat buying story, we are hopeful for the boat we have been looking at in NZ, in December, stay tuned)
We have been exploring just a bit of Fiji, mostly hanging out with our special cruising friends from Mexico, all here in Musket Cove. Many of these cruisers are now ending their journeys. This happens to non circumnavigators. We will miss them greatly, hoping our paths will cross again! But, we did explore this special island country while we were on our friend’s boat Nirvana.
We cruised up to the beautiful and remote Yasawas, when Kathy’s son Derek came to visit. There are 15 words in the Fijian language meaning Heaven and ‘Yasawa’ is one. The Yasawa Islands are a chain of 20 volcanic islands located in the western part of Fiji. Strung along with reef and volcanic islands. The people are very friendly, they will go out of there way to wave from afar or holler “Bula!” from down the way. We learned the hard way that there is a local etiquette that should be observed.
All visitors are expected to not wear hats, ladies should be well covered and most importantly everyone pays a courtesy visit to the islands chief, bearing a gift of Kava root, which he makes into a drink called Yagona. They claim it slightly intoxicating, but we didn’t feel anything.
We were so busy socializing in Musket Cove, we visited 4 Fiji islands; main island Viti Levu, Malalo, then Waya, and then Naviti to swim in the warm, coral waters.
We hope to make it back here for sure. The highlight of course was our week with Derek, just great energy. So helpful, an amazing cook, and having family here is a treat!! Who is next? Wait… we need a boat first, lol.
With nearly 40 boats in the anchorage, plus or minus, and more coming every day to join the big annual Regatta\Rally here in Musket Cove. We have enjoyed our stay here, babysitting a friends boat; SV Nirvana. We even got lucky and had our son Derek visit for the week!
A bit more on Fiji!! A Fijian Meke (prounced meh-kay) is the term for a traditional, communal form of spiritual folk dance Fijian men, women and children use to convey stories or daily life or long, epic tales of victory by the Gods.
We were warmly welcomed to Fiji, part of their customs here at Vuda Marina.
Now, the Beginning of Chaper two. There are so many differences in cruising catamarans. An hour of surfing the net for boats for sale can hurt the brain. As much as we have been “beach cat” sailors, mono hull cruisers and have been cruising with a multitude of great catamarans…..this is difficult. Everything is a sacrifice. What do I mean by that? Fast performance cats are typically not as comfortable as heavier slower boats. Not only are the super comfortable boats slow, but most of the time they don’t sail well. (Angle on the wind, slow, and can be noisy) Fast lightweight boats can sail really well but need expensive sails, don’t have as much room for big beds, couches, and water toys. One or our friends even ditched the water heater to keep the boat light. (Lol, you know who you are). Fast comfortable boats are typically more expensive….(Think Gun, HH). Finding a boat you want to live on and sail on is a balance of your priorities and $$$$s. We don’t want slow. We really like our big couches and we have a good budget for the boat, but we still want to eat well. And then there is alway “what does this boat need” and “where is it”. Sheesh….this might take some time.
This weeks boat (brand/designers) considerations below. Not all of them are fast. Not all of them are comfortable. But, they do prompt conversations…..and ultimately…..negotiations.
So, update on finding the new boat…..or in this case the not new boat. Very displeased to announce that we have failed to finalize an agreement on the Outremer 49, KALEA. Buying a boat internationally (without a broker) has proven to be very complicated. Without going into much detail, buying a boat in a corporate LLC in a foreign country and trying to reflag in a different country while managing international currency(s) requires multiple lawyers, in multiple countries and then lots of CYA to prevent taxes and leans from being assessed on either the buyer or the seller. I’m talking 100s of thousands in taxes in some situations…..and four (4) different countries in play. Anyway, we wish the current owners well, but we will move on to less complicated boats with less financial risks and costs for us.
For the time being we are looking forward to spending October-November in the States with our family and friends. Then….the hunt for the next boat continues.
BYW, who heck drew this cat below? Must not have been a sailor.
Huge tree above, filled with bats the size of cats!
Reflecting back, we really enjoyed watching the huge Tongan Flying Fox, a giant bat that often flies in the day time. We would hear them chattering and crying like little puppies.
Like most species of bat, this flying fox roosts in colonies high up, but this one in the jungle canopy. Our drone video shows a large group right near our boat, in the Neiafu anchorage, keeping us all well entertained. These bats favor lowland forests, cliffs, islets, and swampy areas. Tongan Flying foxes eat fruit, pollen and nectar. I have seen them flying around the mango and orange trees in late afternoons all around the bays of Vava’u.
Make: Brewer, Model: Brewer 44 Cutter, Builder: Fort Meyers Boat Works, Florida, USA, Length: 44’ (13.4m) Year: 1990 Location: Fiji
DESCRIPTION: Sea Bella is an exceptionally well built and equipped cruising sailboat capable of a fast and safe offshore passage in a wide range of conditions. The Brewer 44 is a durable, heavy displacement boat made to be comfortable at sea. She has been sailed by myself; Kathy and my husband; Scott for 6 years. She was remarkable on our journey from California to her present location in Tonga, that’s nearly 12,000 miles with hardly a glitch. She is turn key and ready to go, nothing needed. We are eager to find her a happy new home so we can upgrade to a Catamaran.
in the last 3 years. Scott is a 100 ton USCG Captain as well as an industrial engineer, taking great care of her. She is equipped to be an offshore boat to sail around the world. Redundancies exist in most systems as well as an impressive replacement parts inventory. The sellers (Scott and Kathy), realizing they will be at sea for the long term, are upgrading to a performance Catamaran.
The Brewer 44 is a Center cockpit cutter designed by the late and prolific Ted Brewer. She boasts a 37.14 Comfort Rating making her very comfortable at sea and very stable. Sea Bella’s newer sails leave her with many options in multiple weather conditions at sea. The cutter rig, as well as the triple reefs available in the main, means she is comfortable even in a big blow. The asymmetrical spinnaker is easily flown to achieve hull speed even in lighter winds. The boat has a shoal draft keel making it easy to anchor close to shore. She has a swing down center board that allows sailing close to the wind. The center board system works flawlessly. This boat does NOT have a bolt on keel. The solid glass hull encapsulated keel means no keel bolts to rust.
The entire cabin is designed for ultimate comfort at sea as well as at anchor. The Center cockpit is one of the top cockpit designs and holds 8 comfortably for social hour or sleeps 2 for general sleeping or underway. The center cockpit also creates a comfortable aft master cabin with a bed wider than a Cal King. The mattress was made custom in San Diego by a professional marine bed company. It is a modern “bed mattress” that is 17cm thick. Yes, good enough to live on.
Nearly every system has been replaced, installed new, or upgraded between 2019 and today, making Sea Bella one of the safest and most well-equipped boats in her class. The added stainless arch at the stern is a huge tool for managing the dinghy and power systems. The arch was built in Mexico in 2019 and provides solid rails to mid-ship for safety at sea. She is ready TODAY to cross oceans or relax by your favorite island.
Sea Bella’s engine and transmission are in great shape and the transmission is only 6 years old. The Perkins 4.236 is a 85hp naturally aspirated engine that has approximately 4200 hours. This engine should go at least another 5000 hours. The boats entire fresh water plumbing was replaced in 2023 with Pex type tubing.
Sea Bella will have a very comprehensive turn over to the new owner by Scott, the captain. Her systems are not complex, and she is easy to maintain and sail.
NOTE: Sea Bella is a USA flagged vessel that entered French Polynesia on March 2023 sailing from Mexico. In April 2024, she continued her westward route, currently sailing from Tonga to Fiji. If the boat is not sold in Fiji by early 2025 the present owners will continue westward in their circumnavigation.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 44’ (13.6m)
Displacement: 29,000lbs (13,154kg)
Beam: 13.5’ (4.11m)
Draft Board up: 4.5’ (1.37m)
Draft Board down: 9’ (2.74)
Mast Clearance: 59’
Hull Material: GRP (fiberglass)
Fuel Capacity: 135gal (515L)
Water Capacity: 200gal (757L)
PROPULSION
Engine: Perkins 4.236
Engine Hours: 1100 hours on current meter
plus 3100 on previous meter
Fuel Type: Diesel
Horsepower: 85 metric HP @ 2300 rpm
Speed: 6.5 knots at 1500 rpm
Spare parts include a starter solenoid, Heat exchanger, water pump, raw water pump, fuel pump, Thermostat, zincs, belts, all filters, hoses.
ENERGY SYSTEMS
House Batteries: 4 x 280ah EVE LiFePO4 (2020)
Overkill BMS’s
House Capacity: 840 Amp-Hours
Starter Battery: AGM (2020)
House Voltage: 12v DC and 120v AC
(Soon to be added a 220 inverter)
Battery Charger: Pronautic 1260P Battery Charger
Inverter: Victron Phoenix 3000 watt/
120amp charger
Engine Alternator: Balmar 180amp.
Alternator Regulator: Balmar 618
(New Wakespeed, not installed)
Battery Monitor: Victron 712 (2020)
Shore power: 30amp 120V
Solar: 1300 watts total
Solar Controllers: 2 ea Victron MPPT (2020)
Generator: 8kw diesel Onan Genset
Sea Bella is very energy independent, has been cruising and not plugged into a dock in 2 years. The high efficiency solar panels provide 80% of total electrical needs. The main engine alternator is a high output Balmar180amp and contributes the energy efficiency. The 8kw Diesel Onan Generator is overkill and used very seldomly.
HULL & DECK CONSTRUCTION
Hull: Solid GRP (fiberglass) with epoxy
barrier on bottom
Deck and Topsides: Solid GPR (fiberglass) in high
stress areas otherwise marine plywood
ACCOMMODATIONS
Berths: Forward “V berth”, main salon/
cabin, aft berth
Sleeps: 4 comfortably, 5-6 maximum
(cockpit comfortably sleeps 2 persons, outdoors)
Sea Berth: 2 sea berths in salon with lee
cloth.
Air Conditioning Air Marine Air Systems 1600
BTU Air conditioner Main Cabin
Cushions: New foam and Sunbrella fabric
on all cushions throughout boat.
Showers: Dedicated H/C showers with in
forward and aft head. Half
bathtub in aft head. Additional
H/C shower on back deck
Stereo: Fusion 770
Forward Head: Jabsco Pump head with 25 gal
holding tank. Macerator for open
ocean pump out or deck level
fittings for pump out.
Aft Head: Jabsco Marine electric head.
Overboard only.
Television Hisense 32” Smart TV with Wifi
GALLEY
Stove and Oven: Force 10 -3 burner stove
Water maker: SeaWaterPro 40 gallons per
hour. Installed in 2022. Runs
easily off the inverter.
Refrigeration: CoolBlue 12v Compressor (New
2021). Huge, insulated box with
top and bottom access
Freezer: CoolBlue 12v Compressor (New
2021) Huge, insulated box
(Very Cold-keeps ice frozen)
Microwave 1000 watt Microwave
ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION
Chartplotter: B&G 12” Zeus 3s
Radar: B&G Halo 20+
Instruments: B&G Wind, depth, temperature,
and speed
Displays 2ea Trition 2 Displays in cockpit
2ea Triton 1 Displays in nav
station and master cabin
AIS: Emtrac B254 Class B Transponder
and Receiver with WiFi (2020)
Transmits AIS and GPS to various
apps like OpenCPN and Navionics
Autopilot Computer: B&G Nac 3 with remote control
OTHER:
NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 navigation systems are networked for for redundancy
DataHub installed to communicate directly to
Predictwind and Marine Traffic
COMMUNICATION
VHF Radio: Standard Horizon Matrix 2000
with integrated AIS receiver and hailer
VHF Cockpit Mic: Standard Horizon RAM4
Backup VHF ICOM IC-M504 installed in Captains Cabin with separate Antenna
SSB ICOM M802 Marine Radio w/Pactor 4 Dragon Modem
Starlink Starlink System with wifi
MAST, BOOM, RIGGING, & DECK HARDWARE
Rigging: Replaced all mast wire rigging new in 2020
Mast Pulled and rewired in 2019
Boom Vang: Forespar boom vang (2021)
Spar Forspar extendable whisker pole (2021)
Primary Winches: 2 x Barient POWER winches
Running Rigging All new in 2020
SAILS
Mainsail: New 2020
Genoa: New 2021 130% genoa with sunbrella sun cover.
Staysail: New 2021 sunbrella sun cover.
Spinnaker: North asymmetrical spinnaker with new sock. Recut and rebuilt 2023
ANCHORING
Anchor: Mantus 30kg
Windlass: Maxwell windlass with gypsy and capstan. New 2018
Chain: 330’ 10mm DIN chain. New in 2023.
Other: Stern anchor – Fortress FX23. Chain/rode.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Alarms: Carbon monoxide/smoke detector
Bilge High Water Alarm.
Fire Suppression: Fire extinguishers throughout cabin (2023).
Emergency Tiller: Included.
Liferaft: Life raft Viking Rescyou Offshore 4 person liferaft. (Service due 2024)
EPIRB: ACR RLB-32 EPIRB
Satellite Comm: Iridium GO with external antenna
Bilge Pumps:
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
Dodger: Stainless steel frame with Sunbrella fabric. ½ is new 2023. Removable Sunbrella covers.
Bimini: Stainless steel frame. Sunbrella fabric. Removable Sunbrella shade piece connects bimini and dodger. Roll up removable side panels.
Sea Cocks: Spare Parts: Extensive inventory.
Equipment Covers: Bergundy Sunbrella covers for winches, compass, jerry jugs, hatches, 2 rain fly
Tender: AB 10’6 Aluminum RIB. 2020 with 20HP 4 stroke Tahatsu 2020, anchor and chain
Stainless Steel Arch: 2” custom arch with solid rails to mid-ship. Two stainless built in seats at stern. Motor mount for storage
Portholes:
DOCUMENTATION
USA flagged vessel.
EXCLUSIONS
Owners’ personal items are excluded from this sale and may include items shown in online videos or images.
DISCLAIMER
The details of this vessel are offered in good faith, but we cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct their agents, or their surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer’s desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Warning! The below video is not for the squeamish at heart. This was a very spooky dive experience with the sea snakes of Niue. Not only cool snakes here, but our dive included some of the healthiest coral we’ve seen in the South Pacific, and the clearest water.
We had up to 300 foot visibility in places. After drifting over a coral garden we swam through an underwater narrow (dark) tunnel about 100 feet long, then up into a pitch black limestone cavern. This tunnel and cavern had a mix of salt and fresh salt water which changed the visibility and temperature. When the sea water yields to fresh water, it blurs your vision and makes you think you have Vaseline on your mask. (I’ve never been diving in the dark, never in a tunnel nor a cave, with poor visibility and NEVER with snakes!) Luckily the snakes were not aggressive.
You’ll see the snakes as we ascend at the end of the tunnel. What you don’t see is that when it was time to leave, Scott’s ears wouldn’t equalize. While everyone else was descending back in the tunnel to return to the open ocean, Scott was stuck in the cavern by himself (I was waiting below), yes with the snakes, unable to continue back with the group. (Could be some people’s worst nightmare). Fortunately with time and patience, Scott was able to clear the equalization issues and exit the cavern. It might have only been 5 minutes, but Scott felt like it was an hour!!
We can’t express enough the beauty of the coral in Niue. So healthy, so extensive and so fortunate for us to see it. Truely blessed. Scott will be doing a second post about the island and the people, soon.
You might wonder what sailors do all day on their long ocean passages? It depends on the comfort factor of the sea state and your boat. We just completed a 900 mile passage, which took us 7 days. 💨 We had wind mostly behind us, at the stern, so Sea Bella was thankfully rather flat the first few days.
However, Mariners call this section of the Pacific the “dangerous middle” as the seas get confused. Stay with me on this. We saw swell of 10 feet for 2 days, which is the primary South swell. But, this area also has a small swell coming from both the North and the West. It’s also called the convergence zone. Primarily the swell was our port flank, slapping us along and lifting us up and down. Sea Bella does great, gliding, cutting and surfing down the big wave fronts. Making 11 knots of boat speed on some rides. 🌊
But, this makes for a lot of movement on the boat, which means no cooking, and not much walking about. Imagine brushing your teeth or using the restroom! Hold on! The last day King Neptune must have been grumpy. A huge 5 mile squall presented in front of us, on my watch! Reduce sail, put another reef in, furl the Genoa, take out the staysail, grab two rain jackets, Stow everything! It was a long night. As for watch schedules; Scott and I typically split up (1 in the comfy cockpit on watch and 1 in the salon with table made into a king bed). Over a premade meal and watching sunrise or sunset we discuss weather, sail configuration, and other happenings. ☀️ Either watch, we read, write, watch a movie, listen to audible, play online puzzles, stargaze, fish… or when weather gets crazy, it’s sail management.
As for watch schedules, it’s pretty loose for us. Scott does roughly sunset to midnight, I do midnight to dawn (ish) (this doesn’t guarantee the other is sleeping like a baby in the choppy conditions) 😴 Daylight hours its mostly Scott’s watch, with a few naps breaks. If you recall, Sea Bella has a partially enclosed, center cockpit. I made comfy cushions and pillows, but, you may know that the South Pacific has random but short bursts of rain, cause for an urgent rain drill and stowing 😂 We have noticed that passages always take a few days to get into this rhythm, but overall they are not too bad.
Our World Adventure 