WE SEE LAND!!! 585 Hours Sailing Across The Pacific Ocean
As I sit here at the salon table of Curiosity, rocking from side to side in the ocean swell, I am seriously contemplating the words “Land Ho”.
Land Ho: A nautical term shouted by the ship’s watch to inform the crew that land has been spotted.
It’s a simple phrase with a seemingly simple meaning. But oh, has my admiration for these two words grown. After 585 life affirming hours at sea, land ho is now a complex, emotional, curious, and electric filled statement.
If you’ve been following along for the past 23 days of sailing across the Pacific Ocean, it’s possible you’re looking forward to seeing French Polynesia as much as we are…so click the play button!
We made it, and it feels oooh sooo good! A non-stop Pacific Ocean sail from Salinas, Ecuador to Hiva Oa, French Polynesia.
Humans have been crossing oceans for thousands of years, on much smaller vessels and with far less creature comforts. We haven’t done anything groundbreaking or new. The level of adventure today vs the 1600’s isn’t even apples to oranges. It’s more like oranges to ipads. But that is the exciting part!
Adventurous souls throughout history have made incredible contributions to the world. Ferdinand Magellan, Neil Armstrong, The Wright Brothers, Jacques Cousteau and the list goes on. These famous explorers have all raised the bar of discovery but have also paved the way for the rest of us.
Adventure has never been more achievable than it is today!
I feel we have just seized an opportunity. We took the gifts of knowledge, charting, documenting and life risking those before us bestowed, and we created our own adventure. And while Jason and I aren’t any sort of ocean pioneers, we’re still stoked to have accomplished our biggest sail to date.
I feel satisfied…like a student that just aced a big exam. LAND HO! WOO-HOO!
Fun Sea Stats
- Hours At Sea: 585
- Days At Sea: A tad over 24
- Nautical Miles Sailed: 3588
- Average Speed: 6.14 Nautical Miles Per Hour
- Best 24 Hours: 182 Nautical Miles
- Worst 24 Hours: 101 Nautical Miles
- Hours using a Motor: 42 (or about 7%) That includes windless days, picking up anchor, dropping anchor, sail changes (spinnaker) and the few times we had to repair our flogging boom.
- Fish Caught: One Jason sized spearfish that packed our freezer!
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Gear Used In This Video
- In The Galley – Click on the Kitchen Faves: gonewiththewynns.com/store
- Working Out – Everything we have for staying fit while sailing: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/exercise-staying-fit
- Entertainment at Sea – Kindle: http://amzn.to/2mpGQ9K Audiobooks and podcasts are The Best on passage. Currently listening to French Lessons.
- Camera Gear – All Our Camera/Computer Gear is Listed Here: gonewiththewynns.com/camera-gear-review-2017
- Sailing Specific Gear
- Sailing Smart Watch: gonewiththewynns.com/product/quatix-5-marine-watch
- Chartplotter: https://amzn.to/2xHqxsV
- Tracking & Texting: Garmin InReach: gonewiththewynns.com/product/inreach-satellite-communication-and-tracking
- iPad Mount at Helm: http://amzn.to/2fT84PG Using iPad Pro: http://amzn.to/2d9Oopf
- With These Sailing/Navigation/Weather Apps:
- iNavx: http://bit.ly/2vGgC51
- Active Captain: http://bit.ly/active_captain
- Texting, Email & Weather: bit.ly/PredictWindIridium
- With These Sailing/Navigation/Weather Apps:
norman
re-watched video 11/7/19. Yea!!!! We arrived on land! Even I was getting seasick!
Kandy
I love tea too, lately I’ve been ordering tea from Fortnum and Mason out of London. Around Christmas Williams & Sonoma sells some of their teas. We also bought an electric teapot because temperature really does matter. Enjoy your adventures. I love adventures and traveling, but my path is a bit different than yours…
Allan "RocKiteman" Gaines
Neil Armstrong? I’m STILL waiting for Arthur C. Clarke’s & Stanley Kubrick’s vision of travel to the Moon – 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY – to come true! ?
Anita
What a great video! Congratulations! I feel your joy so much I had goose bumps. And then had to laugh out loud with the “awkward silence…I Love You Too” moment. You both are whip smart but have a great attitude and sense of humor. Can’t wait to watch your life travels. I’m wondering have you thought about how you would eventually sail back to US? Hawaii to California? I’m certain you don’t think that far ahead. Good for you!
Peggy Buckingham
Thanks so much for sharing your adventures! My husband and I plan on sailing full time on a Catamaran in a few years. Until then we live vicariously through you! We love your videos. He works 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off right now (building up the cruising kitty) so I wait until he gets home and then we binge watch! Everytime I tell people about our plan they are intrigued and I suggest that they watch your videos. Fair Winds and Following Seas!
Judy Goodson
Wow! What an accomplishment, and you didn’t kill each other! Congrstulations???
Karin@yumandmore
Wow I had goose bumps on this one! I love how you two show so well the mixed and changing emotions that arise when living at sea. From fear and anxiety to boundless joy for dolphins swimming and flowers and the sheer energy of excitement to put your feet on land again. Nice haircut Nikki, tres fancais chic!
Keep sharing with us and loving each other – what you do is surely not always easy.
Huge hugs
Karin and Jasper
Randy and Kim Carlson
Woohoo, congrats! Love your videos, you are living our dream. Randy and Kim – Winchester Center, CT
Ron Howes
Glad you made it ok. I just received an email from Redbox offering a new movie online that I’ll bet you’ll find to be a real knee-slapper, although on second thought, you might want to miss it. “ADRIFT” is based on the true story of two sailors who set out to journey across the ocean from Tahiti to San Diego, and they couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. https://www.redbox.com/ondemand-movies/adrift-2018
Nikki Wynn
Ha ha, I just noticed that movie on there too. I am waiting for decent wifi to try and download it. I will save it for our next passage. 😉
Sally Crawley
Did the Happy dance for you…looks like a wonderful place to explore…..How long do you lan on exploring there?. You guys did an amazing run across the wide open blue seas!!
Nikki Wynn
We have a whole year! We published a couple of videos about applying for our French Polynesia long stay visas (if you are curious). All those embassy visits and hours of paperwork were in preparation for this destination. French Polynesia is a huge stretch of islands and it will take a while to make our way around them. So, we took the advice of our fellow cruisers, wen’t for the long stay visa and are stoked to be here!
Alan Solomon
Congratulations on 24 plus days at sea. Amazing commitment. The Dolphins were a fun group. I enjoyed the interaction with the Dolphins and Nature, like I was there. I am looking forward to seeing the cats on land after 25 days. Thanks.
Enjoy, you all deserve it.
Nikki Wynn
The dolphins never get old or less magnificent. And at that point, we were extra appreciative of the company. 😉
Jan D
Wooooooooo! So glad you made it safe and sound with not to many problems!
Brenda
Amazing you two! Thanks for sharing your journey with all of us. Congratulations on your safe navigation.
Linda Browder
Thank God you made it. I first saw y’all on HGTV the very first RV you bought. I have so enjoyed the sailing. Hope you have better service so we can see more videos. Enjoy your time on land and get some real rest.
Tom Wettlaufer
Very well done! As with the RV’ing, you two are real-time educators. Thank you.
Sean Balsamello
Congratulations!! Thanks so much for sharing your journeys!
Linda Jones
I have such admiration for you, Nikki and Jason! May you enjoy your much deserved rest and accomplishments. It has been pure joy following your path of exploration for the past 3 years, worrying a few times along the way. 😉 you guys are such an inspiration for all of us! Beautiful job with communication and capturing our hearts with all of your hard efforts, your writings, video and real moments displayed. You are both so talented.
Nikki Wynn
Linda, that is some kudos and then some. Thank you so much for being a part of the journey!!!
Brenda Jones-Schneeberg
Congrats on achieving your adventure goals, AND the best part is you brought your home with you!
Nikki Wynn
Brought our home with us, you nailed it! That is exactly what Jason said when we arrived. “May not be my favorite way to cross an ocean, but how else were we going to bring our house to French Polynesia”.
JOHN SCHRETLEN
So you have now experienced being too tired to be awake and too excited to sleep. Love the way you solved both: have beer!
Nikki Wynn
Ha ha, Beer, the answer to most things in life.
Ed Grant
Well kids, sending you a HUGE Congrats on this accomplishment! Loved watching your site for quite some time now and envy you! What a great team you make and isn’t it swell to actually LIKE your shipmate?
Mary
So happy that you are on land again! We can all relax for awhile.
The dolphins were so amazing! There were so many and they were so playful! What a great way to be greeted!
Enjoy your time!
Deborah Kerr
Congratulations, you made it!!!! Dolphins, beeyooooootiful land, green all around, flowers, I can’t wait to see more!! Seems like you had some dolphins welcome you somewhere else, but I can’t remember where!! Here are the Wynn’s they say… yay!!!! Keep smiling 🙂
Louise P
Congratulations! We have really looked forward to and enjoyed your Sunday videos. You have inspired us to start our adventures in January….on land….when my hubs retires. Looking forward to following your adventures.
Roger B
WOW! What an accomplishment. How are the cats as I missed seeing them in this video? Great drone videos again and no proximity sensor failure. Thank you.
John Hodges
Please post a video when you clean the bottom on the boat.
Nikki Wynn
Are you sure you want to see that? Might be our first ever horror episode. 😉 I am afraid to even look!
William L Stitt
That was a great trip. It was wonderful to watch the progress. Thank you
Alexander Nansen
After watching this video, it pains me to see you folks still go forward on the deck without wearing any safety gear. If one of you goes over the side it’s all over, with the ocean swells your head wouldn’t be visible. Be smart wear at least a pair of suspenders to keep you afloat.
Also sock your spinnaker at night, if the wind comes up or changes direction at night that’s not the time to be going out on the deck to mess with the sails.
Bob Sprengel
Alex… Don’t waste your time with warnings. They’re young and invincible.
Bob Sprengel
On second thought, you could challenge Nikki her on her statement… “And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I’ll HAVE to do it!”
You might say, “I don’t believe, that for safety’s sake, you’d always wear safety gear while on deck.”
Nikki Wynn
We are far from invincible…but we do take lots of calculated risks. 🙂
Ronald Regan
Hi Nikki and Jason
I am sure by now you have repaired the port engine starting problem but if not here is a hint. It’s not a bad starter.
There is a solenoid switch “relay” between the starter motor and the button on your captains console. Kent was right by his instructions obviously, he bypassed the solenoid. That’s what is bad and is alot cheaper to replace than the entire starter. That is if and this is a BIG IF the two parts are actually separate of each other. If not, then replacing the entire starter is required. Just want to help, that’s my nature, not trying to be a know it all. I do have a mechanical/electrical background. Regardless, Love watching your adventures, happy sailing!
Ward
WOOHOO!!! Congrats on a huge accomplishment! Very happy for you and thanks for sharing this fantastic video!
Louis Miller
Well it’s about time you got there ,( just kidding ) I too was thrilled when you spotted land . This is really something I’ve camped with you and sailed with and I have enjoyed every minute of it .?
Pat Parker
Congratulations to you both and your excitement is contagious. She evens cuts her hair while sailing across the Pacific Ocean…what can you not do Nikki….LOL. Glad you landed safely and hope you enjoy your new land adventures
Linda Stansbury
I’ve been following ya’ll since you were shopping for your first RV and before you left Texas. What a phenomenal adventure you’re having! There aren’t many of us who can say we’re living life our way but you two sure are. I admire your fearlessness and adventurous spirit as well as the intelligence and careful planning it took to choreograph all of this. You two are an incredible team. I can’t wait to read what’s next for ya’ll. Thank you so much for your gear reviews. It’s helped me tremendously in deciding what camera to buy.
T C Spencer
What was the Pacific Ocean Crossing departure and arrival dates? Thanks!
Ev & Judi Howard
Judi and I are so very proud of the two of you and your fortitude to make it happen!!! We continue to live vicariously through your experiences!!
Lynda
You 2 are simply ahhhhmazing! I could feel your excitement in seeing land and enjoying your welcoming committee of dolphins 4,100 mi away on the west coast. Congratulations on a safe passage and enjoy FP!
Scott
Sea legs ashore? Seemed fine.
Dolphins were amazing harbingers indeed.
Donna and brad
So glad you finally made it!
You maintained your spirits and sanity – I’m impressed! You are so adventurous and positive! Sending love and support for you always. We are rv ers and have done 1/2 the US and Canada and Alaska and y’all inspired
us! Sail on! ⛵️
NANCY KERRY
How could I be so proud of people I don’t know ? I don’t know !! I’m so happy for you, been following you for years, was worried for you and so happy … you have so much to share with others for the rest of your lives about setting goals, setting your sights on a plan, implementing it, facing fears and plowing through. Congratulations!! Enjoy walking on land : ) I’m sure you do!
Nikki Wynn
I sooo know what you mean. We have so many interactions online with all of you and our fellow travelers, we get excited and proud when we see someone make a dream a reality. It’s exciting to see people plow into the world in a positive way. Even if we have never met in person. We’re all of like minds.
Keith M. Vauquelin
Simply awesome!!! I am very happy for, proud of, both of you!!
Jack Klott
I’ve been following you guys since I first saw you on HGTVs RV show extravaganza, and this is HANDS DOWN the best thing I’ve ever seen. Unbelievable achievement by a great team! You both deserve some down time and time to do some exploring. Well done!
Jan
Bonjour!
Have fun and congratulations!
Edward Hamilton
I’ve followed you guys from the RV to Sailing, what a journey! Thank you for sharing your adventure.
Joan Paucek
Your joy is contagious! Great job you guys!
Paul Brannon
Congratulations on a successful passage. Really enjoying your travels. Have fun
Jenna
I think you both are amazing, such an adventure, and you just seem to blend so well together…
How long are you staying, and what’s next on your very interesting sail around the world!!!
Dennis
You beautifully capture the excitement of entering a new country. Makes me want to jump on an airplane.
Brian
CONGRATULATIONS……….even though you’ve been there for some time now LOL. I can’t imagine being at sea for 24 plus days. I detected a little stress from time to time. So I have to ask, spending such a long time at sea, with no one but your spouse, what impact did it have on your relationship? How long do you expect to be in French Polynesia? Do yo know where you’ll be heading when you leave there? Again, Congratulations, great job, love following your adventures. Thank you so much for sharing them.
Nikki Wynn
Thank you Brian! That is a good question. For us as a couple, the experience was positive as have been all our passages so far. I think our respect and compassion for each others weaknesses and thankfulness for the strengths grow out here on the big blue. The plan is the sail as many of these islands as we can over the next year and then head for Fiji, Samoa…other small South Pacific Islands…and then to New Zealand, Australia and on to Asia and…the rest of the world.
Tev
Wow! The dolphin were fantastic and I was smiling and feeling excited like I was right there. What did it feel like the moment your feet touched land for the first time in 25 days!? So very thrilling to get to share this adventure through your eyes and thoughts. Thank you for that. I’m greedy though and wanted another video right away. 🙂 Looking forward to next week and the week after etc.
Dennis
Congratulations!!! A passage well sailed and great achievement. Enjoy the islands !!
Hugh Marlor
Were you publishing your videos while at sea? If so how were you doing that?
Curious Minion
Hi Hugh. They can’t post videos over the satellite system. Their videos are always a few weeks behind “real time”.
Curious Minion
Dennis C
I’d look to see drones shots of the dolphins. Or whales.