Sailboat cruising in Polynesia falls into two types – inter-island sailing and cruising inside our vast lagoons. For lagoon sailing, the catamaran really comes into its own, for its comfort, space and stability and its easy access to land sites.
For inter-island cruising, it’s the domain of the open ocean with wind conditions that change with the seasons. In the warm season the Pacific is swept by easterly trade winds averaging 15 knots and sometimes stronger. In the cooler winter season, winds are weaker and more variable. The favorite sailing area of Polynesia is around the Leeward Islands for here inter-island distances are short – around 25 miles on average – and most sailing can take place on the protected lagoon waters.
And it’s inside the lagoons that the advantages of catamaran sailing become apparent. Tahiti Yacht Charter has received 2 new Nautitech 441 with water recovery devices. The shallow drafts of these yachts allow them to come close to the islands and even to the tiny islands called motu.
The catamaran can be moored more easily at the quieter, better-exposed moorings and, once moored, its stability is a big plus, allowing full enjoyment of its spacious layout.
A little tip: inside the lagoons, the golden rule is to sail with the sun on your back to show off the full palette of colors that vary according to the water’s depth.
