Steve Lasker
Seattle
117
NM
Total Distance
6
Days
Time at Sea
17 January 2025 at 10:54
not enough wind to sail, straight motor, with too much heat Arrived, but the pearl farm closed
10
30.4
NM
4h 45m
Baie Hitiaa to Apu, French Polynesia
15 January 2025 at 06:49
An early morning run to Bora Bora, a bit of rain. Was expecting a lot more wind and swell, but was pleasant. We got some sailing in, even with a course directly to Bora Bora, but after 3 miles, our SOG dropped below 1st, so on the diesels go. A gorgeous swirl around bora bora, passing the rooms on the lagoon. A bit of trouble grabbing the mooring ball. I didn’t keep very steady, and we were rusty with our communications for distance and direction. It got a bit scary when Olga got face slapped from the mooring ball that got pulled over the bow rigging. Not hurt, good lesson. I should have bailed and just come up straight to it again and again till we got it clean. The lines were also too short, making it difficult. Longer lines, straight shot, try again.
8
43.1
NM
8h 14m
Avera to Motu Piti Aau, French Polynesia
14 January 2025 at 09:52
Staged for Bora Bora journey tmrw, with a bit of a land excursion. Olga raised and lowered the anchor with Jerda’s assistance. It was quite wet and windy. Took wide stances away from anything that might go bump Anchoring took a bit to find a spot on the south side, with all the boats moored, it was 67 meters deep. we eventually got a spot that felt a bit close to other moored boats, but tested the anchor and it was solid. We’ll see Went into “town”, excited for pizza, but it was closed. Walked a bit to a market to get some drinks and a fried spring roll, and fizzy juice, oh yes. On the way back, the french bakery was open. Olga got into a discussion with the owner about sour dough bread. Really nice. Walked back, dinghied over to the pedal farm with Jerda and Jeremy. Jeremy had what looked like a skinny kid over his shoulder. Turned out to be 4 baguettes.
7.1
NM
1h 44m
Opoa to Avera, French Polynesia
12 January 2025 at 13:01
Wet, with lots of mud runoff from the rivers obscuring the coral heads below the surface
10
19.4
NM
3h 18m
Para to Opoa, French Polynesia
Steve Lasker - After two nights, with building storms, we decided to go south. Raising the anchor was quite challenging in strong winds and rain. The boat spun around on the chain. Jeremy/Jerda reconnected the bridal to clear. The weather did calm a bit south, proving we could have waited a bit as the rains are cyclical. On the path south, we tucked into the inlets to see wonka factory like chocolate rivers. On the way out of Faaroa bay, I was too close to the land side, and while it was 54’, a bomby nub protruded out that I hit with the starboard hull. Should have been further away, paid closet attention to the chart that did indicate a protrusion, and knowing the after was so muddy, with no vis, should have been far more cautious. Damage was a nice chunk of fiberglass and a visible crack in the bilge where the keel mounts. Had moorings come out the next morning, and said it’s happened before, far worse. Gave the ok to continue to Bora Bora.
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10 January 2025 at 13:15
Mellow evening aboard Saturday morn, snorkeling on the reef Dinner aboard, salon lights went out Jeremey/Steve troubleshooting the panel Moorings tech came in the morning to show a blown fuse
1
7.7
NM
1h 19m
Uturaerae to Aiai, French Polynesia