In 2007 me and Bruce Ladd (captain) delivered s/v Rubicon to Papeete, Tahiti. Rubicon is a New Zealand registered Tartan 40. We left from Redwood City, CA and made two stops in southern California for repairs, fuel and provisioning. From there we went down the Mexican coast without making landfall. At the island Cedros we changed course to the Marquesas in French Polynesia. After passing a Mexican island 500 nautical miles of the coast we arrived at Atuona on Hiva Oa. That is one of the entry points for French Polynesia where you have to go through customs and Immigration. From there we proceeded to the island Fatu Hiva, just a daysail south. That island was made famous by Thor Heyerdahl's book Fatu Hiva. It also features Hanavave Bay. One of the most beautiful bays in the Marquesas.
Rubicon at the dock in Redwood CityRubicon at the dock in Redwood City, CA before departure. The boat is equiped with all the necessities required for an ocean voyage: Radar, SSB, VHF, GPS, EPIRB, Liferaft, jacklines, watermaker etc.
Rubicon's windvaneThe third crewmember onboard is the Monitor Windvane, accounting for 95% of the steering on the trip. Apart from some chafing on the line that runs to the wheel, it gave us no trouble.
Whale and no windWhales are very common along the California and Mexican coast. They get very close to the boat.
Nice DoradoWe did a lot of trolling and caught some decent size fish. Here is a Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) that I snagged with my Rattle Jet-XL. We troll the lure about 30ft behind the boat. Boat speed needs to be more than 5 kts in order for the lure to skip over the water.
Bruce with good size Wahoo
Aproaching Hiva OAproaching Hiva O in the Marquesas after four weeks at sea. Where is the harbor ?
Atuona on Hiva OThe largest village on Hiva O is Atuona. It is one of the ports of entry to the Marquesas. You just sail in, anchor the boat in the harbor and walk 1 mile to the local police station in town for customs and immigration clearance.