This was supposed to be another beautiful Pacific crossing to Fiji. Instead, it became the most terrifying, difficult passage of my sailing career. Without Erica by my side for the first time in 7 years, I had to captain VA and our crew through the worst conditions we've ever faced. Massive waves, relentless winds stronger than anything we'd experienced before, and equipment failures in the middle of nowhere. Add the emotional weight of missing my first mate and partner of 7 years, and this 1,100 nautical mile crossing from New Zealand to Fiji pushed us all to our absolute limits. Watch as we battle through conditions that made even our most experienced crew question everything, fight to keep our home afloat, and somehow find moments of hope in the chaos.

The crew is here and we're SO close! 🛥️ Our amazing new crew just arrived to help us finish the final boat jobs before splash day. Warren's got his list ready and honestly, he can't wait to get back on the water and start sailing to Fiji! There's something special about having your crew show up when you need them most. From the windlass install to all those last-minute tasks - we're making it happen together. Next episode: SPLASH DAY! We're finally putting this boat back where she belongs. Thanks for following along on this crazy journey with us. Fiji, here we come! 🌊

The crew is here and we're SO close! 🛥️ Our amazing new crew just arrived to help us finish the final boat jobs before splash day. Warren's got his list ready and honestly, he can't wait to get back on the water and start sailing to Fiji! There's something special about having your crew show up when you need them most. From the windlass install to all those last-minute tasks - we're making it happen together. Next episode: SPLASH DAY! We're finally putting this boat back where she belongs. Thanks for following along on this crazy journey with us. Fiji, here we come! 🌊

The finish line is finally in sight! After what feels like endless boat projects, we're so close to getting Va back out on the open water where she truly belongs. But just when we thought we'd have to tackle the final stretch alone, something incredible happened... Three amazing New Zealand locals appeared at exactly the right moment, rolling up their sleeves and jumping in to help us cross the finish line! Their generosity, expertise, and pure Kiwi spirit have been absolutely game-changing. We honestly can't express how grateful we are for these legends who've given their time and energy to help get our girl back to her sailing glory.

This sail free week we again dive into boat projects, with the fiberglass barbecue and cooler once again taking the lion share of attention. Also we check in with Erica and her surgery from tearing her Achilles tendon. WE are starting to feel the pressure and struggle with being 3000 miles apart.

this weeks video finds VA still out of the water and the work seems endless, we still have the electrical rework with the new battery bank, as well as finishing the fiberglass forms and the beginning of the actual fiberglass work. So much work still needs to be done and the progress feels minimal. We also address a little bit of our plans for the following weeks and the upcoming sailing passage to Fiji, that is if we can get the boat back in the water!

Well life post surgery must go on, and the boat jobs must continue! This weeks video is chock full of boat projects, mostly the beginning of the fiberglass work on the three box that Warren is attempting to learn.