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Departing Auckland on the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47

Day 1: Departing Auckland – Finding Our Rhythm on the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47

By [Skipper's Name], Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions

Date: Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Yesterday, Thursday, June 12th, marked the official commencement of our latest yacht delivery journey: taking a beautiful Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 from Auckland to Fiji. Our departure was meticulously planned, beginning with clearing Customs in Westhaven. Following this essential procedure, we made a strategic stop at the fuel dock for a final top-up, securing an additional 66 liters. For any long-distance catamaran delivery, you can truly never have too much fuel; it's a vital reserve that offers peace of mind and operational flexibility, especially in the vast Pacific.

Our initial course took us north, navigating the scenic channels between the Barrier Islands before making a slight turn to port past the Mokes', guiding us out into the wide blue expanse of the Pacific. As forecasted, the seas gradually built throughout the day. By late afternoon, we had judiciously set two reefs in the mainsail and three in the headsail, ensuring the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 remained balanced and comfortable as the conditions strengthened.

The situation evolved further into the early hours of this morning, around 07:00, when winds escalated to over 30 knots and seas reached 3-4 meters. In response, we made the prudent decision to lower the mainsail, unfurl just a tiny portion of the headsail for stability, and engage one of the engines. This combination of motor-sailing allowed us to maintain excellent control and a safe speed through the building swell.

By lunchtime, the winds began to moderate, dropping back into the low 20s. Seizing the opportunity, I decided it was time to hoist the mainsail once more, eager to harness the power of the wind. The hoist itself went smoothly, and as we were securing lines and tidying up the cockpit, the mainsail unexpectedly came all the way back down. Upon inspection, it became clear that the soft shackle connecting the halyard to the sail had somehow worked itself loose during the final securing process, causing the halyard and sail to part company. The sail slid down the mast, while the halyard remained aloft.

Such situations, while rare, are a part of the dynamic environment of yacht delivery, demanding immediate assessment and calm problem-solving. It was too lively for a mast climb, so for now, we've secured the mainsail in its bag and are continuing our passage under one engine and a reefed headsail. The plan is to await calmer conditions tomorrow, when one of us will have the unique vantage point from the masthead, retrieving the halyard and getting us back to full sailing efficiency. It's a reminder that even with meticulous preparation, life at sea always offers its unique challenges. Gotta love boating!

Yacht Delivery Solutions offers professional yacht delivery skipper services specializing in the safe and efficient transit of vessels like the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47. From complex departures in Auckland to navigating challenging conditions on a catamaran delivery to Fiji and beyond, our experienced teams ensure meticulous care and expert problem-solving every mile of the way. Contact us to discuss your next yacht transport.


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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

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