Tag: cruising

  • Snorkeling, Tropical Homestead, & Night Passage

    Moving to our new anchorage, a gust of 47 knots hit us; one of the top gusts we have ever experienced!  Tucked happily into Hanatefau anchorage on Tahuata island, anchor buried in sand, steep green-covered cliff walls blocking much of the wind.                Into the water we went, clearly seeing our anchor dug and hidden…

  • Sharks, Fruit, Friends, & Nightwatch

    We continue to explore the Marquesas islands, planning to spend about 4 weeks here before our next passage to the Tuamotus, about 500 miles away.  Our trip across the Pacific Ocean is only about 1/3 complete and the next 6 months will be passage-making between island groups, each passage with its own challenges.  Thankfully, we…

  • Hiva Oa Cultural Tour

                  Cruising is best balanced with 50% work and 50% play; today was a day of play, a land tour with Kaoha Excursion Yoan (WhatsApp: 689-87-200-459) on Hiva Oa, which we highly recommend.  This all-day tour was in a 4-door diesel manual transmission Toyota Hilux open back canvas-covered rig with double-bench seats (vehicle details from…

  • Vaitahu Bay and Project Days

    April 27, 2024 (Saturday):  Vaitahu Bay, Tahuata We moved only a few miles south to Vaitahu, the largest village on the island of Tahuata, which sits in a stunningly steep and lush valley.  The dinghy landing situation here is notoriously challenging, as there is a cement wall, metal ladder, and lots of swell; necessitating some…

  • Hanamoenoa Bay, Tahuata Island

    April 25, 2024:  Hanamoenoa Bay, Tahuata Island               We had a “learning experience” this morning after we picked up our very full, dry bag of clean laundry including all our clothes, sheets, and towels from the last month.  We placed the bag in the dinghy then went to the store for a few items; the…

  • Crossing 1/3 of the Pacific (by Calder Hyer, age 14)

                  On March 31, 2024, sailing vessel Terikah left the safe harbor of La Cruz, Mexico with a destination of Hiva Oa, Marquesas, French Polynesia. Onboard were the Hyers, Cora, Calder, Dadu, and Mama, along with the crew, consisting of Emil Tucker. After large provisioning runs and filling up our water and diesel tanks, we…

  • The Pacific Crossing by Cora Hyer, age 12

                  The story began, many many years ago, when my parents saw a boat and a dream formed. They didn’t want a house like most people would want, no, they wanted a boat. In the dream the boat was supposed to be their house, and then a moving home to explore the world in. Many…

  • Day 23: LAND HO!

    April 22 (Monday): I had the morning watch today and it was magical to see the bright moon light my way then set directly in front of me, then the light slowly return behind me as the sun rose.  Also, my little red-footed friend stretched her wings and flew off around 8am. The kids hoisted…

  • Day 22: Crossing from Mexico to French Polynesia

    Seas continue to build and make for a “sporty” day with wind solidly in the mid-20s and seas 3-4 meters on our stern.  Our plan it to keep them on the stern and make our way west, then drop down south tomorrow once seas decrease and we can comfortably sail with them on our beam. …

  • Day 21: Crossing from Mexico to French Polynesia

    Yesterday, woke up to squally sky with the treat of a rainbow, a “squall-bow” a friend called it.  Winds up and down, five sail changes before pancakes done.  Winds filling in, sails up, and moving along!  Back to our old friend, beam seas and raucous noises.  Emil calls 17 knots of wind our “Goldilocks speed,”…