Sailing Maupiha’a
The most western island in French Polynesia is a tiny Tuamotus style atoll with just three people living there It’s a convenient place to spend some time waiting for a weather window for the 7 day sail west, across the ‘dangerous middle’.
We had bought some provisions for the family living on the small Motu so shortly after our arrival we headed ashore to pass on the gifts. The family welcomed us in with open arms. Over the course of two weeks we shared many meals, crab hunts, and good conversation with the three inhabitants.
As we were about to leave we did one final
Rig check to discover a crack in a fairly crucial part of our rig! Along with some friends we fabricated a repair, however we also managed to source are part in Tahiti which could be sailed to the island by another friend so we made the tough decision to remain safely anchored in the island while the rest of our buddy boats confined west. We did however enjoy a lovely few days of solitude waiting for our part.
Nanuka is now repaired and ready to go for our journey west, a 900nm sail west to a sunken atoll!