APATAKI, TUAMOTU TO PAPEETE, TAHITI

June 21-23 2012

We exited Pass Haniuru, Apataki at 1200 hrs enroute to Papeete, Tahiti: distance 230 nm.  The Wx was fair with a SE'ly wind blowing 15 kts.  I was carrying a single reefed mailsail with a full jib. Our average speed was 6.5 kts in the beginning and we had a great sail through the last of the Tuamotu: Arutua to the North and Kaukura to the South.  Once we cleared these two atolls, the route was clear all the way to Papeete.  As we exited the lee of Kaukura the wind and seas started to increase until we had to put a 2nd reef in the main and then a 3rd.  I couldn't get the boat to slow down and we were making 7.4 kts at times.  Finally, I rolled up the jib completely and put up the scrap of staysail that we have aboard.  Under most sailing conditions it is too small but with a SE'ly wind blowing 20-25 kts and seas running 8-10' it was perfect.  We were on a beam reach in the trough of good size seas and this Valiant 40 was taking it without complaint and still keeping us dry.  I had to depower the mainsail to get it slowed down under 7 kts.  All this with a 3rd reef in her!  Anyway the wind stayed strong until we closed land about 6 miles off Pass de Papeete.  We arrived at midnight on June 22nd.  Since I didn't want to go in at night we lay ahull off the pass until first light

June 23rd

We started to make our way through the Pass into Papeete harbor.  The entrance is very easy and well marked with ranges and buoys.  The tides in Papeete are amphidromic which simply means that there isn't a lunar influence only solar.  They run under 1' and are completely predictable with high tide at noon and midnight.  After entering we were very fortunate to find a berth a the Quay de Yachts in downtown Papeete.  June 23rd was the day for the Pacific Puddle Jumpers 2012 to have the final rally from Papeete to Moorea which is a beautiful island about 12 miles away.  The Pacific Puddle Jumpers includes every yacht that has sailed from distant global points to Tahiti.  They are sponsered by Latitude 38 which is a monthly yachting publication.