Clive Carrington-Wood

A bright but overcast day. Following a morning swim with plenty to see on the coral reef at Yanuya, we stowed the dhobeying and got under way with light airs to motor all the way. Passing Monuriki, the island where Tom Hanks filmed Castaway and others where the television series Survivor and Love Island were filmed, we slowed to half speed on passing over a reef but maintained 4m under the keel. On anchoring in the busy Anchorage of Musket Cove, the rain started!

A breezy start with a fresh F5 from the NE, flukes winds as we headed south and passed the high ground on our port side. Wind died away to F1 and we motor sailed for the last hour and a half. Arrival Is in a beautiful anchorage with crystal clear water wind sandy beach and drooping palm trees behind.

Hoisted main a foresail before brief instruction on weighing anchor on the foredeck. Skipper was over excited and dragged the snubber hook over the gypsy, disengaging the anchor chain and this allowing it ALL to run out. Situation was quickly recovered and a pleasant downwind sail ensued with wind blowing F4 -F5 from the North East. Excitement dodging between reefs with only 2.5m beneath the keel at one stage but arrived safe and happy in a windy but calm anchorage.

The first sail after lifting, reparing and re-shipping the foremast at Vuda Marina. My sanguine and ever patient crew at last got to enjoy the delights of sailing Happy Spirit. Starting with a calm F2 from the direction we were headed, after a bit of motor sailing, the wind built to a healthy F5 from the NE allowing a rollicking end to the passage reaching 10.1 knots through the water. On anchoring, we discovered that the chain had tumbled upon itself in the anchor locker so would not release. Jenny coped admirably at the helm as we sorted the situation. The newly fitted brake wished to demonstrate its efficiency so continued to hamper efforts to let the chain out unless pushed against. All was well that ended well.

Disappointingly little wind meant a motor across to Mamanuca. Uneventful journey under grey skies during which we used the engine’s electrical energy to us the marcher jet wash to clean the decks en-route.

Required to anchor outside Vuda Marina in order for a non-approved engineer to visit to repair the fridge compressor, we decided to move on to Denerau. Started an hour later than hoped, partly delayed by an electrical cable caught over the anchor on weighing. Once cleared through good seamanship, we dashed the 5 miles to Denerau but too late to enter the marina. Anchoring outside we elected not to go ashore by tender on arrival. Wind was SE force 3-4 with no significant wave height owing to short offshore fetch.

After deciding that $60 FJD was an over investment in the Royal Suva Yacht Club, despite the very friendly staff, we chose to move on from the capital city and return to Vuda Marina to effect repairs on the fridge and the generator. A spirited sail in Force 6 gusting 7 winds from the port quarter, we took in one reef on each of the main and the foresail. When the wind backed to directly astern, we furled the Genoa and ran with the two booms goose-winged, held by preventers in the inconsistent wind. An overnight passage brought us to anchor off Vuda Marina at about 04:00 but with low tide being at 08:00 when the Marina opened, we will have to remain at anchor until high water at 14:00 to make our entrance.

Hard on the wind all the way, but nevertheless made it without tacking. Departed at 07:30 after 4 other yachts had already set off from the rocky and rather rolly anchorage. A cracking if a little bouncy voyage once we cleared the island and faced the Pacific swell. Anchoring proved tricky amongst coral heads and rocks. We found a suitable bottom and swinging circle at the third attempt, after snorkelling revealed the immediate hazards at the second attempted anchorage. The first was amongst rocks and the anchor chain was not happy. Anchor watches were maintained overnight and I was glad to set off for Suva at 07:20 the next morning.