
Purchased our first ever boat "Thistle," our 52 foot ketch, and have been living aboard since June 2022.


Very broad reach with confused Sea from same direction (SSE). Good when it was 20kts as it kept the sails full, not so good when under that. It was a nice sail but I had to stay on top of the wind shifts and strength, making adjustments accordingly to stop sails flapping in the breeze.
3

Nukunamu Island to Neiafu, Tonga
Brilliant sail in 12-15kt breeze on a reach/ broad reach. Saw a whale 150m off our starboard side 20 minutes into the sail. Sea was calm. champagne sailing!

Nomuka Iki to ‘Uiha Island, Tonga
Sea was calm, zero wind, motored all the way. Saw x2 whales, one breached behind us.
2

Kelefesia Island to Pangaimotu Island, Tonga
very light wind. sailed in the morning a bit, then motor sailed, then motor only.
3

Selila to Kelefesia Island, Tonga
was a long day. wind was shifty and we were heading into it more than expected. Sea was calm and wind was max 16kts.
3

Neiafu to Pukutala, Tonga
Good sailing conditions. we fished along the way and caught a couple of small skips and one yellow fin that we kept.

Pukutala to Ma’unga’ui, Tonga
The wind was up to 30kts and constant 25+. swell was small but chop was relentless! uncomfortable sail but uneventful in whole.

Lua Va Ila to Uoleva Island, Tonga
Sea was messy, no real swell most of the times but it was brisk wind of up to 26kts on a reach to start with, then a close haul. Wasn't completely uncomfortable, but it wasn't the most comfortable either. Good average speed however.
1

Pangaimotu Island to Nomuka Iki, Tonga
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
25 April 2026 at 10:00
3

Kapurarahurahu Point to Opua, New Zealand
Very lumpy sea with little wind until Cape Brett where we got 22kts on the beam. Sailed with genoa and mizzen only. Some swell was up to 3 meters.

Whangamumu to Kapurarahurahu Point, New Zealand