Wilderness Cruising | Nautitech Open 40 blog

It was a beautiful run to Suwarrow - the Cook Islands. 6 days dead downwind, fair winds and following seas. We kept our spinnaker up for 5 days, only lowering it when we saw the winds pickup to 20kts. The most memorable experience was watching the night sky. So clear and starfilled. I couldn't look at the sky without seeing a shooting star. Suwarrow is a beautiful atoll, 690nm from French Polynesia's (Society Islands); Part of the Cook Islands, and also a nature reserve. It is also a convenient stop on our way West, only 700nm from Tonga. This means we have two six day passages instead of a two week passage. This is much better for timing periods of favorable conditions, the weather forecast which is critically important for small sailing yachts, is much less reliable beyond 6 days.  We had such a good time in Suwarrow. It is a picturesque South Pacific atoll, and only possible by boat. We caught up with friends on the same route, and we enjoyed the hospitality of the two Park...

  French Polynesia,    August 9, 2019 6:15 AM I have been thinking of my late grandparent Jean Hewland. The news of her death reached me in Bora Bora, one day before our intended departure for Suwarrow.  Chasing a dream is not easy and not always what you thought it would be, there is a human cost, but it would not be possible without a supporting partner.  Gordon and Jean Helwand supported each other and followed their dreams. They raised five daughters, and retired to a farm in the South African wilderness where they continued to live their dream. Gordon and Jean were each inspirational role models. They lived by Grace and by Faith.