At sea, South Pacific Ocean
Three weeks ago at 0500: “MAY DAY, MAY DAY, MAY DAY … this is sailing yacht Kailani, Kailani. We are on a reef, Maninita Isl. Significant damage to rudder and yacht …. MAY DAY, MAY DAY, MAY DAY… Getting off radio now, must go try to save the yacht.” Yup, not a great day for us. A combination of a strong cross current and a 30 kt gust of wind in a passing squall dislodged our anchor and we dragged back the 30 feet to the reef behind us. Despite rushing to the helm to try to drive ahead there was not enough space to react in time, so we hit hard with our rudder, and Kailani got lodged onto the reef, with wind pushing her onto the reef from one direction and waves breaking on the reef from the opposite. We knew the sun would be rising soon, but working in the dark fast and furiously we managed to get a kedge anchor out secured to the bow and the stern essentially saving Kailani’s hull by reducing the risk of holing the boat and sinking. We downgraded our distress call to a pan pan.
A rescue boat was dispatched from Neiafu, but since we were in the farthest southeast anchorage within the Vava’u group of islands, they did not arrive until about 0900. By that time the tide had dropped significantly, and Kailani was taking half of her 27T of weight on her rudder stock with her hull from the stern to the mast clear of the water. We decided to defer yanking her off the reef until about 1500 when the rising tide would provide more water under the stern, thereby minimizing the risk of tearing the rudder stock off the stern, which could hole the boat and put us at risk of sinking.
When towing her off the reef, the kedge anchor line got wrapped around our prop shaft, and although we cut most of it off once clear of the reef, the line had wrapped itself tight between the prop and the strut and unbeknownst to us, had pulled the motor a fraction of an inch aft on its rubber mounts. Having been towed safely back the 15 miles to Neiafu and deposited on a mooring it was time for Harley to dive in and cut away the remaining line at which point the motor and shaft moved back into position and opened up a 1/8 inch gap in the dripless packer allowing water to come streaming into the engine room.
Still soaking wet from the dive Harley hopped down into the engine room, grabbed the ever handy crowbar (don’t leave home without one) and levered the collar back to the carbon ring, stopping the leak. Whew. With that sorted, we took stock of our jangled nerves and Kailani’s damage. Essentially the good news was that we saved her hull and all the damage was at the rudder and to the bottom and aft end of the keel. Amazingly, the prop and shaft were unscathed. Without the ability to haul Kailani here in Tonga we were limited to dropping the rudder while in the water, and getting the local yard to fabricate and repair the remaining rudder portion.
Kailani was built with a massive composite rudder stock, overbuilt like the rest of her for serious cruising. We were concerned that we had done damage to the rudder stock / steering quadrant / shaft, but turns out she withstood just fine! The whole rudder repair and inspection process was actually kind of amazingly done, with help from other cruisers, our local friend Ken (amazing welder / marine engineer), and advice and encouragement from Blair, the engineer who oversaw Kailani’s build back in 1989. Bottom line, we got her done. Kailani’s new rudder was mounted on Tuesday, and two days later we checked out of Tonga, allowing us to take advantage of a pretty great weather window to sail to New Zealand.
The three week delay was well spent by us, licking our wounds so to speak. Moored right below the Catholic church we were graced with the congregation’s wonderful singing wafting down to us at least twice a week. The delay also meant more time for socializing, and we were able to hook up with friends we’d made in Panama, rekindled old friendships from 20 years ago and made some fantastic new friends (you know who you are!). We love cruising Tonga, and always find the locals and expat community so friendly and helpful. We hope to be back, but be assured Kailani will have a second anchor better suited for Tonga’s sand veneer over coral!
For now, Kailani is sailing beautifully with the new rudder. Just as we were leaving on passage, a humpback whale came into the anchorage, breached, and as if waving good bye, fluked three times before swimming out of our bay. We are taking that as a good omen for our passage, because really, what else could go wrong? Ha! Can you hear us knocking on wood?
21 22S 176 52W
At sea, South Pacific Ocean
Day 2 of passage
958 nm to Opua, New Zealand
Thanks for sharing
Y’all are amazing! The reef takes part of your rudder and your response? “Just a flesh wound!” So glad you’re on your way!! Fair winds!
I say don’t leave home without a marine engineer onboard.
I love how you two problem solve under hairy conditions. Even with your enormous talent and experience the elements get you.
Imagine the novices out there!
So glad to hear your friends were able to help. When are you returning stateside?? Soph back in school?
Cheers and hugs
Adrienne
Livin’ the dream! ⚠️
dropping the rudder in the water … wow, what a concept. I am, as ever, amazed. 🥰
Hi Guys : Never a dull moment with you all !! I assume Soph had returned to Lawrenceville before the Mayday call ?? At any rate, the damage could have been worse, and you are on your way to New Kealand on the final leg of your trip. Don’t know how long you intend to stay there before you head back to the States. Look forward to your next posting.
Great pictures, great story (…though not really for you guys) and inspiration to the sailing cruising maxim of ‘resilience’ and ‘just make it work’! Legends.. Hope you have a less dramatic passage 🙏😊⛵️