Hair-raising Huahine
Serai
Jason and Emily Willis
Wed 18 Jul 2007 23:04
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16:48.7S 150:59.5W
We left Oponuhu Bay with a reef in the mainsail and
a reef in the genoa as the skies looked a bit overcast. Another boat, Blue Moon,
headed out just behind us too. The wind was all over the place as we were in the
lee of the island. We motored to the end of the island and then started to sail.
The wheel became quite heavy and the seas were a bit choppy, but I thought this
was perhaps just turbulence around the tip of the island. When it did not go
away, we decided to put another reef in the mainsail and the genoa. Still Serai
felt heavy on the helm and so I went forward to put a 3rd reef in our mainsail.
We have never had to put three reefs in before. As Ems took Serai into the wind
a huge wave came sweeping over us. I was nearly knocked off my feet and
completely drenched. It then landed in the cockpit and splashed Ems whilst also
finding its way down below. The chart table was soaked and we uttered promises
about remembering next time to shut the companionway hatch!
With 3 reefs in both the main and genoa Serai was
happy again. We sailed a beam reach all night long, surfing down 12 foot seas in
complete darkeness. The first you knew of it, the boat would pick up speed and
then you would hear the roar of the wave as it bubbled and foamed around us. It
was a fast and furious ride. We were doing anything between six and nine knots
all the way. Dinner was a quick affair to say the least, prefering not to be
down below for too long! The electric autopilot steered us the whole way as we
sat in full oilies in the cockpit, keeping lookout for the 4 other boats that
were around us and that we could see at the crest of each of the waves. It was
another good learning curve. It was pretty tiring but Serai seemed to love it.
She did us proud and made what could have been a miserable trip, actually quite
fun.
We arrived at Huahine at 0730 but could not enter
as the visibility was terrible. It had been raining for about 3 hours so we were
soaked and tired, but dare not attempt the pass when we could not see the
markers. Once it cleared we headed in and then motored down the lagoon for an
hour to meet up with our friends on Selene. The bay is perhaps one of the most
gorgeous we have been to. Crystal clear water with a waist deep turquoise water
off towards the reef on one side and then a beautiful sand beach to the other
side. We are anchored in 30 feet of water and can clearly see the bottom. It was
well worth the sail to get here. Behind the beach, mountains rise up covered in
lush green palms and grasses. It is indeed paradise. I just wish the place had a
more romantic name than 'Huahine' - it sounds like something you might do after
drinking too much on a saturday night!
The plan? Stay here for a few days. Take apart the
watermaker again and maybe go fishing and snorkelling. There are Manta rays in
here so we will try to snorkell with them. Then its a 25 mile trip to
Raietea.
We are so lucky. Let us NEVER forget how
privilidged we are.
Till the next time.
Lots of love
J and Ems xx
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