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DumnMad · 03-06-2019, 18:03

Not sure why the skipper made this call.
Batteries running low and a slow leak?
Out of water ?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113...-way-to-tahiti

**Don C L** · 03-06-2019, 18:12

Sometimes folks just want to get off the boat?
maybe we'll get more info.

bobnlesley · 03-06-2019, 19:12

I was told just yesterday that this Autumn/Winter's been dog-rough for boats trying to leave NZ and get back north to the islands, some heavier weather than usual - the normas not great - but also the frontal systems have been passing through every 4-6 days rather than the more usual 7-8 days, so no 'weather windows' to squeeze through.

AndyEss · 03-06-2019, 19:23

Strange - the boat and sails look to be in great shape, the seas don't look bad at all.
Single handed lack of sleep delusions?

**JPA Cate** · 03-06-2019, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

I was told just yesterday that this Autumn/Winter's been dog-rough for boats trying to leave NZ and get back north to the islands, some heavier weather than usual - the normas not great - but also the frontal systems have been passing through every 4-6 days rather than the more usual 7-8 days, so no 'weather windows' to squeeze through.

^^^This. Proceeding in lumpy weather is extremely tiring, and can cause seasickness in people who are prone to it. Probably became pretty fatigued. It is a long way upwind from NZ to Tahiti. And rescue is pretty readily available. In the old days, he would have hove to, to get some rest, done the necessary repairs, then carried on, or changed his destination, partly because rescue was not readily available. So many modern sailors have depended on others to keep their boats running, perhaps the skipper didn't have the necessary skills?

Ann

**Don C L** · 03-06-2019, 20:30

Just going by the 2 photos, it looks like it may be the main that is the problem, perhaps it is jammed or the halyard is jammed and that is why it is so loose in the luff there. Just a guess of course, but the only thing visible.

**JPA Cate** · 03-06-2019, 20:38

If it were strong then, why not use the staysail? Agree there is not enough luff tension on the main, could be a problem, possibly not. Fatigue is the great enemy.

Ann

Tillsbury · 03-06-2019, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don C L

Just going by the 2 photos, it looks like it may be the main that is the problem, perhaps it is jammed or the halyard is jammed and that is why it is so loose in the luff there. Just a guess of course, but the only thing visible.

If the halyard were jammed surely he could use the topping lift, even if he only raised a small main? I agree I can’t see much reason he can’t continue to sail on in 20kt winds. Engine/water maker/electrical failure still wouldn’t be a reason to bail out. Unless he had no nav equipment I guess. A NZ-registered boat would have to have three independent gps systems to be cleared to leave, but a Norwegian boat wouldn’t.

BugzyCan · 03-06-2019, 20:56

So if the guy abandons his boat, what happens to it? It can't be left to drift. A few days after, with some sleep, and now he is in a panic to find his boat.

**Don C L** · 03-06-2019, 21:00

Yeah, but as Ann says, fatigue is the enemy. What to us seems a minor set-back, may to a sleep-deprived sailor seem an insurmountable threat. With weather like that in the photos though, I'd be taking a nice LONG nap!

Tillsbury · 03-06-2019, 22:25

Maybe rudder problems, or autopilot? He doesn’t seem to have a windvane, which would make that trip hard work.

fatherchronica · 14-06-2019, 08:31

Not to disparage the captain, because I have no idea what the mechanical failure was, but being buffeted by 20 kt. winds seems like an exaggeration written by a non sailor to make the conditions seem dangerous. Mana just starts moving nicely at about 20 kts. And being from the most bigly technological Empire on Earth I do not know what how big 3.5 meters is, but if they are a swell and not breaking that is of no concern unless your rig is coming down. It is slightly possible that the mechanical failure was a pacemaker or if the captain is a robot there are many things that can fail as you could easily explore on YouTube. If it were a rudder failure that is good reason to have wind vane self steering as opposed to auto pilot.