OK, we go with the #3

We are off to the first mark after changing to the #3 jib. This is the right sail for the upwind work, but we could have used the bigger genoa in the off wind leg down to Mele Island.

These sails are all getting a bit old. The one that blew out was a kevlar genny which we raced with in Seattle for three years then used, foolishly maybe, while cruising all over the Pacific. I think it's finished now. This number 3 jib is even more ancient, and we've already been patching it forever. Can't last much longer either I guess.

Wings' Crew-Port Villa, Sept 2000

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wingssail images-judy jensen/fredrick roswold
At the quay in Port Villa
Awards Party

Certainly the best "pick up crew" we ever had, and one of the best crews we ever sailed with, these folks were great. With three minutes to go to the start the jib blew out. I threw the helm over to Ed and told him to stay close to the start but don't hit anybody, and I ran below to find another sail.

The crew on deck got the old jib pieces down and hooked up the new jib I pushed up through the hatch in record time, especially since it was the first time on the boat for most of them. When I got back on the helm I said to Ed, "Where are we?" He replied, "This bouy you see just ahead of you is the pin end of the line, we're starting."

By that time the sheet leads had been changed and the new jib was going up and we made the start on time and in great position. Three minutes from disaster to good start.

You can't ask for anything better.

Names of crew (Top Photo, left to right)
Deb, Fred, Laura, Randy, Andrew, Julie, Ed, Sue, Dave

Riding the Windvane to Vanuatu

wingssail Image - Fred Roswold

We found a variety of wind on this trip from Fiji to Vanuatu, not every day at sea was windy and bright like this photo; in fact we had some calms and had to motor. That gave us some chance to rest, read, and play on the computer. But finally we got into the trades and the last day or so was glorious sailing like this.

Port Villa

Port Villa

To our way of thinking this is the best harbor in the Pacific. It's a bit deep for anchoring but there are a lot of moorings, and of course, you can tie up to the shore if you want to pay a bit more.

Vanatu

Stern Tie Berthing in Port Villa

Map of Vanautu

Far across the Pacific lies an island group called Vanatu. We sailed to this country in 2000

Savu Savu Cruise

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Rsowold
On The Bow

It didn't take these kids long to feel at home on Wings' bow as we motored across Savu Savu Bay.

Waving Goodbye

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
After the Cruise
We spent a couple of days cruising around Savu Savu Bay with Jim and his family, had some great food, drank too much grog, and had a good time. But eventually it was time to drop them off at their village, and they waved good bye as they walked ashore.

Savu Savu Bay

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Dramatic Sunset

Anchored far away from Savu Savu, across the bay in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by reefs, we spent a nervous night with squalls and rain, but with the reefs and the darkness, we couldn't move.

Albert Cove-Rambi Island

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Clear Water

We came to Albert Cove inside the reef on the NW side of Rambi Island and anchored in gin clear water off this beautiful beach. Some other boats were already there and we saw their dingies pulled up on the shore.

Banaban Dancers

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Dancing
We went ashore with some other cruisers who were also anchored at Albert Cove and the local people there, decendants of people from Banaban Island, entertained us with dancing.

Albert Cove-Rambi Island

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Anchorage at Albert Cove

After the Banabans entertained us with their dancing we drifted down to the beach and chatted with our friends from the other boats anchored inside the reef.

Katherine Cove-Rambi Island

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Katherine Cove
We sailed around Rambi Island and found Katherine Cove on the SE side. Here was another good anchorage and no crowds.

Katherine Cove

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Rambi Island Church

Ashore at Katherine Cove we went for a walk and saw this church. On this Monday afternoon it was empty but we could tell from the well worn pews and the cleanly swept floors that it was used on Sundays and we'd bet that if you were here on a Sunday you would hear the singing all the way to the boat.

Caught In a Downpour

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Caught In a Downpour

We went for a walk with Ed and Lynne from Constance and got caught in a downpour. Heading off into the jungle we found some banana plants and their big leaves gave us some protection

Banana Leaf

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Protection from the Rain

We found a leaf like this could keep you dry during a downpour on Rambi Island

Graduation Day at Katherine Cove

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Primary School

We heard a brass band echoing through the hills on Rambi Island during our walk and we followed the sound. On a hill-top overlooking Katherine Cove there was this small primary school and it was graduation day. We met the school master and some of the children and some of their parents. This was the highlight of the day.

Nasusobu Bay

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Nasusobu Bay
Not in the guide book, but you can find it if you look. Good anchorage.

Nasasobu Bay

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Fijian Family

We met some wonderful people at Nasusobu Bay in Fiji and they invited us to their home.

Heading West

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Spinnaker Run

On a lazy day we cruised westward, kite pulling steadily, autopilot steering, and Judy reads in the shade.

Boat Jobs at Denerau

Wingssail Image-Judy Jensen
Boat Jobs
Getting ready to head west to Vanautu, need to do those last minute repairs

Quiet time during a military coup

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Savu Savu

We tied Wings to the wharf at Savu Savu and enjoyed a few weeks of quiet times. Of course there happened to be a military coup going on, but in the enclave, we didn't mind.

Savu Savu Bay

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Wings

The Savu Savu Yacht Club organized a big boat race and all the cruisers could join in. We picked up a crew and had a great sail in Savu Savu Bay. Another wonderful day in Paradise.

Savu Savu

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Copra Shed

The Copra Shed Marina at Savu Savu in Fiji was our home for quite a while as we sat out a military coup. Safe behind the guarded gates, we lived in an enclave and discussed the crisis each day over coffee and beers

Fiji

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Vanua Levu

Savu Savu is on the northern island of Vanua Levu and the anchorage is picture perfect.

Downtown

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Savu Savu

A small town anywhere, except this one is in Fiji and there is a military coup happening. Looks quiet to us.

Fijian Hot Springs

Wingssail Image-Fredrick Roswold
Savu Savu
The steaming beaches at Savu Savu are natural hot springs.

Military

wingssail image-fredrick roswold
Fijian Soldiers

The Fijian Army guarded the Copra Shed and the yachts and yachties there. We got to know some of them. These two, Jim and his friend, would to come to the boat for coffee. Later we took them sailing.

New Resort

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Workers

We stopped in a small bay where some Fijians were building guest houses for a new resort. The spouses and families came along to the work site and made lunch for the workers.

Sailing in Fiji

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Jim's Family

We took Wings across the bay and stopped at Jim's village to meet the chief and village elders. Later we took Jim and his wife and two kids for a sail and they cooked a Fijian feast at anchor aboard Wings. Jim and I drank a lot of vodka and we all stuffed ourselves with fried taro root. A memorable day.

Opti

wingssail image-Fredrick Roswold
Fijian Junior Sailor

There is a Savu Savu Yacht Club and they have an active junior program. One day we watched the Fijian kids sail opti's around a course on Savu Savu Bay.

King's Palace

This is where the King of Tonga lives; classy, if you ask me.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Nuka a'lofa Waterfront

When we saw this view of the Nuka a'lofa waterfront, we realized that marine parts might be hard to get.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Nuka a'lofa Market

Fresh fruit, taro, all sorts of Tongan produce
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Church

National Church in Nuka a'lofa. Singing was very nice.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

King of Tonga

We went to church with the King of Tonga, and snapped this photo as he shook hands with the minister after the service
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Tongan Rugby

Tonga, in red, faces Fiji, a real powerhouse, in the Epson Cup in Nuka a'lofa. Tonga almost pulled it off, but lost by one point, on the last play of the game
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Nuka a'lofa Town Square

Here at the town square, you can wait in the shade.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Going Visiting

Dressed in their Sunday best, these Tongan women went visiting
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Aloe Vera

We visited a plantation where Aloe grown for export markets, and Judy was given a sample.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Nuka a'lofa

Nuka a'lofa is a quiet place
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Nuka a'lofa Mooring

Moored here off the mole in Nuka a'lofa, WINGS awaits rigging repair.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Turnbuckle

We found a crack in a turnbuckle and placed a spare turnbuckle alongside to help carry the load. This failure, with the broken shroud, really convinced us that the rig needed a total replacemement. Tough to consider in Tonga
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Broken Shroud Coiled

With a spare piece of wire rigged and the broken rod coiled and tied off, we are sailing again.
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Repairs

A handfull of Mexican bulldog clamps connects a spare piece of wire into a temporary shroud and gets us sailing again
wingssail-Fredrick Roswold

Jaguar Rally

After seeing many old Jags on the road we were delighted to find about 300 of them parked in a field next to Wanaka Airfield

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wingssail images-fredrick roswold
Jaguars in a field

Red Jaguar

Jaguar

Black Jaguar Grill