10 | Crossing the Pacific Ocean on a Wooden Boat

We set sail on an ocean passage from Mazatlan, Mexico to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands. Sailing across an ocean has been a long-held dream for us, but we were not planning on extending this cruise so far from home. But, we realized that if we were serious about bluewater cruising, the time was right. We decided to take the leap and sail 2800 nautical miles across the open ocean, reaching the fabled south sea islands. Cruising the South Pacific is on the bucket list for any sailor, and completing this passage has been one of the most rewarding experiences we have ever done.

We left Mazatlan on March 23rd, and arrived at Nuku Hiva on April 16th, totalling 24 days and 9 hours at sea. We covered around 2900 nautical miles, used less than half our water and a fourth of our fuel. We motored 35 hours and each of us stood 73 four hour watches.

Julia is an Ingrid Ketch, designed by William Atkin and built in 1960. She is a traditional wooden boat, built of doug fir planking on oak frames. The length on deck is 37.5 ft and the waterline is 30 ft. She handled the open ocean brilliantly, it was obvious that this was exactly the type of sailing she was built for.

Music:
Keys Of Moon - Flowing Energy - is under a creative commons license.

Sappheiros - Escape - is under a creative commons license license.

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Scott Buckley - Omega

[hjk]

My wife and I sailed from manzanillo to hiva oa in 1989 when we were in our early ‘30’s and spent 6 yrs on our adventure. Ive watched lots of ocean sailing videos, but yours really show what it’s actually like. Great video and editing! I still remember to this day seeing the green hills of hiva oa after 26 days and 3, 300 nm. The extreme green almost burned our retinas and the smell of land was intoxicating. I remember arriving in atuona, hiva oa and picking up letters from friends and family from the port captain. We spent a few days reading and replying to letters, telling people to write us in care of the port captain in Papeete where we hoped to be 3 months hence. We also got off the boat and talking to someone else besides your spouse after almost a month was a good thing. We’re still married 45 yrs later and have slowly diminishing memories of our travels.

[alexwolf]

2800 miles on a sail boat you teo are an inspiration

[hangalen]

I absolutely loved this journey. As a sailor, I especially appreciate the discussion of your reefing strategy, the benefits of a ketch rig, the winds, etc. The narration, pace, cinematography, that incredible boat, and both of you really add to the experience. Bravo.

[blueblue]

I admire your sense of adventure. Also think you are crazy to take that small boat out on that huge wide open ocean. Glad you made it.

[sjd]

I did the exact voyage back in 1999 on my 28 foot cutter. We were so nervous for weeks leading up to the departure, but after leaving the marina in Mazatlan, our heart beats calmed down and our confidence increased daily. What an experience that year as we ended that year in New Zealand.

We also were young, little money, but the best decision we ever made to just head out and cruise the world.

[anitagude]

Your chosen music (between 10:14 - 12:14) featuring the cello is possibly the most perfect and appropriate music choice I've heard in a sailing video - and I've seen and listened to many. It sets a great mood for what you are portraying there. A pure delight!

[geraldarcuri]

Having read Patrick O'Brien's novels over and over again, I am simply amazed that two relative amateurs could accomplish this voyage. BRAVISSIMO!

[trevorbyron]

Loved the narration, choice of music, passage and boat. Really enjoyable.Something iconic

[Sealight]

This made my evening. Best couple sailing without a lot of stupid talk. This video is a keeper. You two are awesome.

[dominolastley]

Congrats on your passage. I did a similar passage back in 2004, but started in Puerto Vallarta, and I singlehanded the trip. It took me 30 days in a Westsail 32. It was a journey that was both magical, and occasionally terrifying. I remember smelling land a couple of days before I reached Nuku Hiva. Fair winds to you.

[johnmoran]

That took lot of courage and skill. Pretty cool.

[GettingLostWithToy]

Your narrating is absolutely freaking amazing, it made my eyes stay pierced to the screen the whole video, editing is out of this world, I’m so happy for u two just cruising through life and enjoying every moment ❤

[jimmaupin]

Nice to see a well built and maintained woodie instead of all the plastic cats!

[ronkirk]

My longest passages during a 40, 000 mile eastabout, singlehanded circumnavigation in a Chatham 33 steel, pilothouse cutter were from Saldana, S. Africa to Tonga via the S. Ocean and Tasman Sea, and later, a passage from San Diego, CA to the Falklands via Cap Horn. Without any long range communication equipment, I was totally isolated and dependent on my own capabilities and the safety of my boat to survive. Being able to fix any broken gear is an essential skill. It was a very memorable experience.

[cambium]

I really appreciate that you left in the "was it worth it part" which wasn't answered in the positive or negative, and then put it in perspective. Really gives some insight into the experience.

[brantdallas]

My wife and I are motor vessel boaters in Alaska and I have cruised an old 34' Califorinian from Everett, WA but what you guys are doing is so beyond anything that I can imagine. Makes me want to buy a sail boat. What an adventure. Thanks for a great channel. I love your modesty, editing, music, sailing shots and scenery.

[aanv]

Can't wait for your next video. Forget Netflix, you are the real deal! God speed, guys!

[syalutsa]

One of the nicest ocean crossing videos I have watched. For fourteen years I owned a hand built 37-foot schooner and cruised the west coast of Canada. Never made an ocean crossing, even though years earlier I was one of a large group of owners of Schooner Sofia, a 125-foot sailing vessel that circumnavigated in the seventies. Thank you for sharing your voyage. My book SALT ON THE WIND tells the life story of Allen and Sharie Farrell who made the crossing to Hawaii and Fiji from Vancouver BC in 1951 on one of the largest of more than 45 wooden boats built on beaches in British Columbia. Wonderful that the dream is still alive.

[annhooper]

Beautiful peaceful articulate narratively presented, . A pleasure to watch.
" See you when I am looking at you "
Love laughter and light. Fare winds ur already there

[harbhajankhalsa]

Having sailed the oceans 45 years ago, your presentation filled me with great nostalgia....and longing, though I had difficulty relating to the intense and dramatic music that accompanied your video. My experience, of expansiveness, aloneness but for the regular visitation of birds, silence beyond the sounds of the sea and the wind, and the puffing of the dolphins and pilot whales, was an orchestra unto itself with God the conductor.