Destination: Palmerston. Population: 57. || COUCHSAILORS Sailing Journal #19

[@oceandrew]

Your strongest videos are the ones that engage the local population. Nicely done.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks! That's the idea!

[@spinnaker5514]

Many thanks to you for sharing one of the most beautiful places on earth with all of us. Most of us will never get to see such and untouched place in our life times thanks to your generosity we can all enjoy it. So thank you so very much!! I love how you detailed the history of the island. God Bless and Good Luck! Bill S.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Hi Bill, thank you for your kind words. A lot of time and effort was taken put in to document this and put it together to share with others so it's nice to hear that it's appreciated!

[@frankiemarsters4967]

My brothas!! I want to visit sometime! I’m one of the 350+ Marsters’!

[@williampercival7662]

It's actually over a thousand family members. W Percival from New Zealand gardenia band 🇳🇿 Kia Orana

[@saknut]

I love the way you two interact and learn about the locals. You are great ambassadors for sailing and the US.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

We strive to be! When abroad, Gina tends to say we're from California, not the US.... Depending on what state you're from you might take that one way or another haha!

[@saknut]

I get it. Californian here too.

[@sm6wet]

Thank you for sharing this, seems like you probably made the best video about Palmerston that is on KZbin. There are only a few and most is quite low in quality. Questions: 1. Did you have to park you boat outside the reef and could you enter inside? Some stories tell of people being let inside, other stories say people have to connect to poorly fastened moorings. 2. How many Days or weeks did you stay? Seem most people only stay a day or 2 but I know a guy that was there for about 3 months. 3. Did you visit any of the other islands in the lagoon except for the main one?

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Cleary you are very well informed! Maybe seeing every video about Palmerston contributed to that, in which case, your comment is really appreciated! 1. They have several moorings outside. I wouldn't stay there without good weather because the reef is right there and it's exposed. There was a sailboat that had dragged anchor, I want to remember that it was a fairly modern and nice looking one, but it was on the reef! Worth noting as well is that they have a technique to tie up to the moorings which a lot of people don't follow and it's why they run into issues... Some adults have trouble following directions :) 2. We stayed 2 nights because the weather wasn't great. The more remote we are usually the more careful we are with the weather since nobody would be there to rescue us if needed. Self-rescue and self responsibility is crucial to responsibly explore such remote places! These people live simple lives, they don't need to deal with our sailboat on their reef! 3. We did not, for lack of time. We heard there's lots of coconut crab on the other islands though!

[@sm6wet]

Thank you for your answer! Really appreciated

[@bc4281]

This is your best video to date. What a beautiful place! Very nicely done!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

What a compliment! Thanks!

[@roberttorres1110]

Wow, what an island and story! Beautiful...

[@dtonvista]

Great video of how life is spent on the islands, I would imagine more of the islands in this area are very similar, many of the reasons so many cruisers give so much of their time participating in the island life during a visit! Very cool, thank you for sharing!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

This island in particular has a very unique story because William Marsters, the original settler, showing up with 3 wives after coming across the island while whale hunting back in the day. So it's a mix of an Englishman with 3 wives, all islanders. But yes, the concept of a simple life, living off the land and the sea is common among the Cook Islands, especially the northern ones which are more isolated. If you want to see what it's like when NOBODY is around for hundreds of miles, stay tuned for our next episode!

[@timlamarre8680]

Best video thus far. What a tidy island of sand and palm trees! Solar makes much more sense than diesel. Really enjoyed the video. The anchorage looked a bit hairy.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks! Yeah, it's glad to see that technology, for once, could have a positive impact on such a beautiful remote island! The anchorage was not the best...

[@bayareablues2255]

Great video of Palmerston. Thanks. I want a swing like the one at the end!!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

I like the swing, I don't like the height... terrifying!

[@kathrynhunter460]

I loved this video, you really added a lot of information and love into knowledge of their world. Great job!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks! NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@vietscapie]

I loved this video. Thanks and best of luck.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Glad you enjoyed it! NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@dww0013]

Great video. Very interesting... as usual. I had the same problem with my impeller. Hopefully you have no serious engine damage. When I start my engine now I always check that the water is coming out first thing. Good thing you had a spare!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks! Yep, we've gotten used to doing the same so we caught this one right away. :)

[@natemcdaniel2139]

Lack of impeller issues is one big reason I like my Duetz air cooled diesel!

[@natemcdaniel2139]

Another great video! Again, authenticity and having a heart for the locals wins the day! Don't worry about being from the USA, most countries lack the interest in the details of USA political correctness either way. I've been through more than 60, most people, especially in the developing world, are interested in you the individual.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks, Nate! I think you're right, they're able to look past nationalities and focus on who is in front of them.

[@TheBeaver50]

something was never explained . Do they have spectrum or google fiber for WiFi? and how whats the cell phone reception like?

[@alexnissley9848]

The weird part is I did the same curriculum that they do on the island when I was in school.

[@rimasmeleshyus6545]

Great video so impressive. I am sailor and interesting many islands in the world to explore, many thanks. ! Warm greetings from the garden island of Kauai in the middle Pacific Ocean it’s beautiful island welcome . Next year I am leaving to the Indian Ocean cocos island and. Mauritius island

[@COUCHSAILORS]

NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@seailive]

Nice one you did well with the engine repair, had an exciting sail, and told the story of Palmerston Island. Very interesting about the solar panels. Not too sure about the education the kids are getting. Any how enjoyable vid.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@SailBeforeSunset]

Another lovely vid! I've just ticked another destination on OpenCPN nd downloaded the charts.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Where are you now?

[@pnwesty7174]

Nicely done!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks!

[@garysouza2277]

I think I could live there...

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Yeah, because Hawaii is such a horrible place to live in...

[@iamsomebody7700]

Knowing what you know now what would you bring these people as a gift or to trade on a future visit?

[@dirtfisherman3489]

Great ? I hope they will share their thoughts/ideas with us!!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

They asked for soy sauce and we gave them a big bottle of it, but they've probably run out by now! Also text books and books in english, especially for the school, fishing supplies, sunglasses, and always better mooring equipment (line, shackles, etc.)

[@peternorton7665]

that's a beautiful island

[@brettney72]

looks lovely there

[@COUCHSAILORS]

You betcha!

[@allensandven0]

Wow what a gift , thanks for sharing your experience, although I’m not sure what to think about the WiFi it seem like technology couldn’t be the demise of such a peaceful place ? Well I wish them well from the USA

[@paulcolbert8576]

Another great video!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks, Paul!

[@johnlord7854]

Very nice :) looks like you are having a great time now ! Do you still have a spare impellor ?

[@COUCHSAILORS]

We've got about a dozen! Cheap solution to a common problem... sometimes if you don't know how to identify the issue you might go through a couple. In an upcoming video where I share my solo crossing to New Zealand you'll see that I finally discovered what caused this one to fail and a few more...

[@johnlord7854]

COUCHSAILORS Sailing Videos I carry one spare, and have changed a few over the years ! So where are you right now ?

[@COUCHSAILORS]

1 week away from NZ!

[@johnlord7854]

Awesome !!! Are you going into Opua ? We are going up there on 22nd of this month (2 1/2 weeks time) Would be great to meet you both :)

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Yep, keep a lookout for Carthago in Opua around those dates!

[@paolosama]

How do they get fresh water

[@arumrunner]

9:20 That lil Daredevil at the end tho

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Haha, yes! She was a wild one!

[@ecurbnilpat315]

well done

[@naturepark4684]

Where are the citizen.. why didn't you film them?

[@nirmalkhan872]

Beauty of heaven.....

[@COUCHSAILORS]

NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@tle6860]

I love the video and learned something new. I wonder how the rising sea levels affect them? Are they impacted by the bad decisions of the rest of the world? Their island is absolutely beautiful!

[@RokKadoic]

I think the documentary must be made for this island! Thank you for sharing❤🎥 Maybe one day i will gather the crew💪🙌

[@peeweebarney]

To Rok Kadoic: Count me in as part of your crew! I could cook (we had a restaurant in Hong Kong and Copperas Cove, TX., U.S.A.), and I was a free-lance photographer (still & video weddings).

[@starlight7830]

Did you anchore you sailboat outside of the reef?

[@Doyle-Nutbush]

I imagine they took a chopper in from Rarotonga not wanting to be too far away. :)

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Outside, yes. We didn't anchor though, they ask that we use their moorings, I'm assuming so we don't damage the reef.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Hahaha, funny.

[@williampercival7662]

Read the book 🌤️ Sisters in the Sun 🌤️by A.S.Helm and W.H.Percival it's about Tom Neale and William Marsters. W Percival from New Zealand gardenia band 🇳🇿 Kia Orana

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Thanks for the rec! NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@herbbearingseed]

ACE Paces

[@BGB9813]

I am very confused, if money doesn't mean much to them only trading, how did they pay for the huge solar equipment and wifi? Where do they get their income? Who supports them or what govt's people support them? Is it all subsidized?

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Palmerston is an associated territory of New Zealand and are supported by the New Zealand government. A local explained to us that their main export is fish and they will catch hundreds of pounds of fish to sell to neighboring islands. Not too sure how that works though...

[@abaddonaskap]

Joe Russel the Chinese government has payed for a few of the outer islands solar power as has New Zealand. It's pretty obvious why China would. I use to live in the southern cooks so I'd say the people who left Palmerston to live and work in Australia and nz send money back to their family as u can see the people living there are mostly young and old. Never been there but beautiful island. The real Cook Islands. What Raro use to be like.

[@crackingcards]

Oh yeah yeah

[@nelsondasilvasilva6475]

Legal

[@COUCHSAILORS]

NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@teokotaiandrew3472]

Hi CouchSailors my mother's mother is the last granddaughter to exist from the Papa RIchard Master. The estimation you just gave is not true. He has thousands od descendants all over New Zealand and Australia and even in the Cook islands.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Teokotai Andrew wow, thanks for watching! Which estimation are you referring to?

[@teokotaiandrew3472]

Sorry couchsailor, the estimation for the family Masters, when you mentioned on this beautiful video of the homeland the family there is only "350 masters worldwide" of the family. Thank you for the video.

[@herbbearingseed]

Nice zunga the child has to play with.

[@peeweebarney]

Did you manage to do a complete voyage around the world? Can you do a short video of it? I have read that the bottom area of South America and the Indian Ocean are the most dangerous to navigate due to strong currents. How do you avoid bad weather, which can tear your boat like matchsticks? And what emergency survival boat do you have?

[@COUCHSAILORS]

NEW SAILING CHANNEL! kzbin.info/door/Qil5NZFdvAUoYA7KV3dG7g

[@RichardsWorld]

Having 3 wives turned out pretty good. But on a small island like this, wouldn't there be inbreeding problems?

[@COUCHSAILORS]

Apparently many of them go on to university or work mostly in Australia or New Zealand. They probably just leave to find a mate! Many don't go back. They say there are now hundreds of Marsters spread around the world...

[@RichardsWorld]

Good to know. Thanks.

[@Slowdwood]

Jesus made it out there