… and this within a minute.

I knew in advance that even with the small sail size, we will arrive at the south pass of Fakarava far ahead of the noon slack tide. Therefore, I considered and prepared for a heave-to maneuver. (German: beidrehen, beiliegen)

For safety reasons I had the engines started and OBM steered MaRe the way I told her.

Within a min the main thing was done. The genoa was in the “wrong” direction and the genoa STB sheet was still the working sheet. I shifted the main traveler fully to PRT side and OBM turned the rudders fully to STB. Boat speed drop extremely fast to 0. The wind came from STB at an angle of about 70 – 80 deg. MaRe was drifting in 6 Bft winds and her movements were subdued.

A few minutes later I used the barber hauler and pulled the clue of the genoa towards STB to ensure that the genoa does not chafe at the inner stay. With this the AWA changed to 90 – 110 deg STB, MaRe drifted with 2 KN down the wind, and her movements were even further subdued. A very comfortable situation!

We stayed like this from yesterday 2220 until this morning 0705. During that time we drifted 16 NM down wind. Especially work on the kitchen became easier. The ones who were off watch slept better because no waves slammed at the tunnel between MaRe’s hulls. All what needed to be done, was to look every 20 min at the radar screen to make sure there is no other vessel in our way.

Since 0705 we are sailing again in winds of around 20 KN TWS at STW of 6 to almost 9 KN.

Ruslana prepared spaghetti during the night, but I was too tired to eat anything. A pity because it smelled good. OBM slept. The spaghettis will be eaten later.

OBM made sandwiches for breakfast and a Japanese desert. This meal is finished now.

In about an hour I plan the next heave-to maneuver and we will drift towards the entrance in die time for checking the entrance conditions.

How will it be inside? Where can drop the anchor?