32 miles to Ahe Atoll, Tuamotus
Kahia
Paul and Catherine Davis
Fri 13 Jul 2012 17:08
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14:09.54S 145:53.11W
There is a lot to consider when approaching the
Tuamotus. We changed our course again, as tide and arrival time were
favorable for Ahe, one of the most northern atolls. The wind is strong
and we are flying along, with waves crashing all around us. The Raymarine
wind instrument has stopped working since yesterday evening. We just had it
replaced with a new unit in Panama, last March. What is wrong with the design?
It doesn't appear to be weather proof... working for 3 months?
Come on, what a let down.
Back to the old ways, reading the wind and waves we are
in a Force 6 ESE, gusting 7. Not the best way for approaching coral
reef low lying atolls, but the sun is shining and we will arrive around 1.30 pm
local time, which works well with slack water and a 3 hours after moonset
timing, perfect for entering the passage.
This is our first attempt to entering an atoll and with
the strong wind I feel rather nervous and vulnerable, but Paul is very
reassuring and we will only do what is safe... eyeballing, 2 GPS, radar,
different charts, passage planning guides, weather forecast and tide
tables... we do come prepared!
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