We spent a couple of days in Tahuata, and would have hung out longer, but boat issues continue to plague us. Another water pump failed, and I spent way too many hours shoved underneath the kitchen table trying to fix it. After tearing pumps apart multiple times I eventually figured out it isn’t the Jabsco pumps themselves that are failing, it is their auto-switches that cycle them on and off when you turn on a faucet. I was able to rewire one to bypass the switch completely, but again, that leaves us having to man one person at the breaker switch while another one washes their hands. It’s not a solution.
The kids got out a bag of inflatables that the previous owners had left onboard. Fortunately, there was also a 12v air pump to go along with them.
It’s hard to imagine a sleepier, more peaceful village.
We were hoping to swim with the giant manta rays here, but despite seeing them on the surface a couple of times, we couldn’t find them when we were in the water. Pretty decent fish life, and a skittish blacktip shark were about it for this bay.
The bow isn’t as high as on the Grand Banks, but jumping off the roof is pretty fun on this boat.
That’s the untouched color of the sunsets here.
With boat projects piling up we decided to head to Nuku-Hiva where we could get parts and regroup a bit. We left at 3 a.m. and motored out into a nice following sea for the 85 mile trip north.
When the wind piped up a bit we raised the mainsail, which is when one of the battcar studs broke free. When that one let loose it caused the intermediate cars above and below it (which are secured by bungee type ropes) to snap free as well. We quickly doused the sail and added that to the project list which is growing by the minute.
About a hundred dolphins joined us to lift the mood a bit.
We were a little late getting to Nuku-Hiva, but the sky gave us all sorts of beauty for the approach. By the time we got in it was dark. We dropped anchor in 55′ of water at the outside edge of the boats and called it a night.
15 Comments on “Tahuata to Nuku-Hiva”
Replace the pump switch with a regular house AC voltage switch available at any plumbing store.
See picture below.
The one pump runs the entire boat’s fresh water plumbing, which would require a lot of switches scattered throughout the boat.
One switch plumbed into the pressure side of the pump should do it. It doesn’t matter the voltage, just that it completes the circuit when low pressure. Actually you can adjust the turn on and turn off pressure. Any plumbing store that caters to houses with wells and well pumps should have them. Below is a link to a picture.
https://www.amazon.com/Merrill-Pressure-Air-Pump-Adjustable-Differential/dp/B08CHPS58T/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JE8I3RUHOKDS&keywords=well+pump+pressure+switch&qid=1684033885&sprefix=well+pump+%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTE8xTjREUDZPSU5XJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzM1NzY3MkwwN0lBMFhRMUwxQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTcwOTk5MVlSQUI3Wk8xUEpIViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Your adventures with your children are unfathomable. I am so envious and proud of how adventurous your family is. Safe journeys and my prayers are always with you to help keep you safe on your adventures.
Unfathomable: immeasurable. I sometimes wonder what many (American) families think of our adventures with our children. It would be an interesting poll. 🙂
Thanks for the prayers! They are always welcome.
I hope you can find all the parts and pieces you need to make repairs. And at a fairly reasonable price. I imagine shipping from the states is just crazy. Do you follow Mark and Cindy on Creampuff? I think I remember them posting about getting parts in that part of the world. https://www.creampuff.us/ All the best to you!
Most excellent! I wonder if you met the solo sailor on Paradigme at Tahuata, he had an unpleasant interaction with the locals on the beach. Anyway, I hope you can deal with Nuku Hiva’s Taiohae Bay, I had a rough time there with the dinghy dock, etc. But I enjoyed Hakatea Bay a few miles west, delightful place with lots of mantas. I was there this week last year, it is nostalgic to follow you.
Yeah, we met in Mexico when clearing out, and again in Hiva Oa. Looks like he moved over to Tahuata’s busy sandy beach bay, which we bypassed a couple of days before he was there because there were like 20 World ARC boats there. Maybe they were the ones who left their garbage on the beach and ticked off the locals there.
Safe travels. Boat repairs are never ending. Keep it all up. We enjoy living vicariously through you.
Too bad equipment failures are dictating your cruising plans. Almost (but not quite) makes you wish for a more primitive, Joshua Slocum-style vessel. Still, it looks like Polynesia is a fine place to be even if you are working on boat repairs.
Umm no more primitive homes for a bit (the 1965 Wanderlodge might have done me in). 🙂
What a beautiful life you’re living. I’m sorry about your boat troubles, but it seems like with any kind of sailing vessel there is always problems cropping up.
Excellent visuals as always! Explore this blue marble…living intentionally 💖!
Those last two photos. Pure art!
I agree!