DAY 1 - SAILING AWAY FROM FIJI - Early morning departure from Fiji heading towards Australia

[@chadgautier1004]

Hey there Spirit. I’m an ex-sailmaker, here in California, was essentially born aboard a 40ft Piver Victress tri 54 yrs ago, and so I love your channel. Been following you since the trip down under, from New England, of the “old” Spirit. Can’t wait to see what mods/upgrades you make to the ‘new’ boat, to make it as new and Bitch’n as possible!! I foresee 25 - 30 knots of rip’n fun reaching races!!!! So looking forward to that, and you future adventures.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Hey thanks so much for the kind words, stoked to have you aboard! Cant say there’s too many people that have been born onboard a trimaran! Now that’s something to be proud of! We’ll be doing our best to d her justice 😁

[@davidcummings6299]

Looking great a very quick ride….. I’m enjoying this whole trip.. keep safe

[@SimonClaringbold]

Bon voyage! So far looks magic

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Thanks definitely got spectacular conditions for the passage 👍

[@jonathanlewis1352]

No need to go any faster. She’s comfortable and balanced with the reduced sail and eating up the miles. Leave the Jules Verne attempts to the thrill seekers and continue to enjoy the beauty of a well designed and well sailed boat captained by a capable and competent skipper who makes sensible decisions which we all benefit from. Cheers!

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Spot on! And how fast does one need to go anyway? For us the 200nm daily averages and the ability to sail fast in lighter conditions is what owning a performance boats all about it’s not about going flat out and being stressed. Thanks a lot for your kind words we appreciate them 🙏

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Agree, definitely recommend resisting the temptation to sail (or make) her overpowered. She sails VERY well as designed.

[@cnchok8168]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

😁

[@bobganung2072]

Thanks for bring us along on your voyages. Maybe you can give us a little clue to your planed upgrades.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

We’ll keep doing updates along the way and I’ll share some of the mods we do. Main thing is to sort out her weaknesses first which is to stop water getting into her core. To do that we’ll need to remove every fitting and to check over the entire structure. The biggest job will be the rebuild of the saloon roof and mainhull deck which is balsa core and not in great shape 😁

[@PN_48]

Nice vid mate! Great to see her galloping along.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Cheers thanks mate! She moves so easily it's hard to slow her down 😁

[@johnoconnell2271]

Thanks guys, beautiful video as always. Ciao SV Merlin

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Cheers Merlin, glad you enjoyed it! 🙏

[@nicokypreos]

so good thanks for the updates.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@captainsensible298]

Boat's just galloping along, lucked out on the sea state and wind

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Yeah weather this entire passage has been pretty good hard not to be thankful to Huey and his powers 😁

[@pakkelly]

Are you planning on not stopping in New Caledonia because of weather, personal schedules, or other reasons? This looks like your wettest day of the voyage. Have you developed more confidence in the rigging to allow for a heavier foot on the accelerator? Perhaps Spirit XL smells the barn and insists on a full gallop home.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Yeah that’s right Pat the nice thing about this passage is that we have the option to reevaluate the weather as we round the bottom of New Caledonia 650nm down the road so to speak. If the weather forecast is still good we’ll keep making tracks 👍 not trying to push the boat but definitely getting more comfortable with her and the loads on her in different conditions. She just moves so easily it’s sometimes hard to slow her down!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Love the updates. Keep am coming mates! Moving along well. Apparent wind sailing! Smart to back off a bit and stay drier. Also a little easier on boat and crew. Such a great boat! :) A rare classic. It does feel like you're getting more comfortable with her too. Keeper! Wow she sails well!

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Thanks for the love! She’s a true gem at sea moves so easily through the water it’s hard to fault her!

[@USA4thewin]

Vendee globe guys will be passing by your port side make sure to wave at them

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

We could be there before them if they don’t hurry up!! 😁

[@jaseholroyd2683]

Hey guys, so excited to have you back home, safe travels.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Awesome thanks a lot we’re pretty bloody excited to be heading to Oz on the final legs 😁

[@triplex7144]

Im visiting new cal on a cruise early Jan so looks like U will hit Aus by then.

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Yep we’ll beat you mate 😁

[@triplex7144]

Jas after my cruise I'll be straight back out to sea until mid Feb. Will U still be in Brissy then?

[@TrimaranSpiritXL]

Yes mate around the Brisbane/GC area for the foreseeable future. Looking forward to catching up!