We’re sailing east against the trade winds, trying to make our way back to the crown jewel of Fiji, the Lau Islands.  A light wind period is allowing us to day hop this tricky route from Naviti to Taveuni, where captivating coral reefs rise from the depths like crystalline daggers— a hidden danger stunning in their beauty, yet poised to cut through the unwary hull of any passing boat. 

While sailing 12,000 miles our new Seawind 1600 catamaran’s steering system was failing one part at a time putting us in potentially dangerous situations. After discussion and research Seawind agreed to refit the steering while we were in remote French Polynesia, hopefully freeing us to answer the call of adventure once more. 

We’re in the final stretch of sailing with our flailing steering system. Just 250 miles stand between us and our much awaited steering refit, but we’re unwilling to face a Maramu hurling 14-foot waves on our rudders.

Sailing around the world it’s best to have specific sails for different sailing conditions. We have struggled to sail deep downwind but today we’re launching our new winged spinnaker and it is proving to be an absolute game changer.