Katinka Enjoy

We have now had our new boat, Katinka Enjoy, for over a year. It is a Lagoon 421, built in 2011. Robust, solid, not a speed demon, but comfortable and safe. Our Katinka is currently ashore in New Zealand and is now for sale, having reached New Zealand at the end of November 2025. Once again, we have had an eventful year. We spent New Year's Eve 2025 in Papeete in French Polynesia. During cyclone season, it rains heavily on Tahiti, and it is advisable not to leave the boat without an umbrella. Of course, I don't follow my own advice and therefore get caught in the rain shower every now and then. In mid-March, with the start of the high season and the associated doubling of the mooring fee in Papeete Marina, we said goodbye to our friends and set off for Moorea.

Katinka Enjoy under sail

As so often, we have changed our plans once again and will now sail part of the way together with the sailing yacht Tuvalu. However, Tuvalu still has a few issues that need to be fixed, so we agree to meet in Moorea. We will spend around four weeks on the beautiful island, and, in addition to cleaning the hull, we will visit some places on the island that we don't know yet. At the beginning of April, the Tuvalu will join us and we will sail to Huahine together. Off Fare, we drop anchor in turquoise waters. We explore the island by car and learn about the special features of vanilla cultivation. 

In the anchorage off Moorea

Vairahi Bay, Raiatea

In Raiatea, we first stop in the eastern bay of Vairahi and later in the northwest off the naval shipyard, because you can have your gas bottles filled here. In the meantime, the Odysseus has also joined us. In Taha'a, our anchor lies in the white sand of the offshore reef. The view of Bora Bora is fantastic. Between the motus Tutae and Tautau is the so-called Coral Garden. Here, you can drift with the current over the reef and marvel at the wonderful underwater world. We meet another German yacht, the USI. On Motu Tutae, we build a campfire and enjoy an adventurous afternoon barbecue together with the Tuvalu. 

Coral Garden, Taha'a

Bora Bora

In Bora Bora, the last island in the Society Islands that we will visit, we encounter difficulties with the buoy supervisor. Although we had reserved a buoy, he threatens to cut our lines. Only when I threaten to call the police does he abandon his plan. Since there are only two places in Bora Bora where anchoring is permitted, this puts us in a difficult situation. We manage to get the last buoy further south in the lagoon and are able to stay there. Since we cleared customs in French Polynesia almost two years ago and there was no electronic procedure at that time, we now have problems clearing out because the computer cannot find our ship. So we cleared in and out at the same time. The next day, after almost two years, we are finally able to leave French Polynesia. On May 17, we set off for American Samoa. The crossing begins leisurely with little wind, and we are not making particularly fast progress. However, towards the end of the journey, the wind becomes increasingly violent, and we have to sail downwind in 35 knots and heavy rain squalls. Unfortunately, we notice the first squall too late, and it tears our gennaker. 

Gravestones in front of the house, American Samoa

In American Samoa, we experience one of our most complicated customs clearance procedures. Everything has to be done in six copies, and of course the content is always the same for all disciplines. But it wasn't just the most complicated procedure, it was also one of the friendliest. We stay in American Samoa for two weeks and explore the island. We will remember the island for its churches and graves. The graves are because people bury their relatives right outside their front doors. Very special. We take an overnight trip to the neighboring island of Samoa. The island was German until World War I. Today, there is not much evidence of this. Clearing customs is only slightly easier but just as friendly as on the neighboring island. We meet our Swedish friend Christer again. We last met Christer in Tahiti. From there, he sailed directly to Samoa. We also explore Samoa by car. Most people in Samoa live in the greater Apia area. The south of the island is rugged and sparsely populated. The Pacific waves crash impressively against the cliffs of Samoa. Here, you can also see the volcanic origin of the island. 

Cliffs in southern Samoa

On June 25, we sail on to Wallis and Futuna. Wallis is French and not particularly welcoming to sailors. Anchoring options are limited and far from the island. Landing with a dinghy is difficult and almost impossible at low tide. The supermarkets are well stocked. Restaurants are mostly closed. All in all, it's not a place where sailors want to stay for long. 

Prohibited anchorage area in Wallis

We set off for Tuvalu for four days. Tuvalu is an island nation consisting of several atolls. Until their independence in 1978, the islands were called the Ellice Islands. The main island is Funafuti with the town of Vaiaku. Tuvalu was one of the highlights we experienced this year. The islanders are very open and friendly towards strangers. We spend a few wonderful weeks on Funafuti and are the only yachts in Tuvalu during this time. 

Squall from the direction of Tuvalu

Main road on Tuvalu

To get to Fiji, we wait for a suitable weather window. On July 17, we find one and set sail. We complete the crossing without any major problems. We have good wind and can mostly sail with a wind angle of over 60°. The waves come from the southeast, which makes the whole trip a bit uncomfortable, but it's over quickly after five days. During this year's crossings, we mostly had uncomfortable days, mainly due to the waves. In the southwestern Pacific, the waves are rather short and very dynamic. They develop great forces that often act abeam or slightly from the front. This constellation makes it uncomfortable, especially on a catamaran. Every nautical mile has to be worked hard for by the ship, which is extremely exhausting for the crew. On July 22, we reach Fiji and clear customs at Vuda Marina. The visa we are issued upon entry is valid for four months and can be extended for another four months. Since the cyclone season starts in November, one period is enough for us. 

Welcome at Vuda Marina, Fiji

We spend the next four months sailing through the Fiji archipelago. We visit the Yasawa Islands, have visitors from Germany, and are invited to dinner by an Indian family. We sail to Savusavu and explore the island of Vanua Levu by car. We will fondly remember Musket Cove for years to come. In Denarau, we prepare for the crossing to New Zealand. 

Waya Island, Fiji

Blue Lagoon, Fiji

Musket Cove, Fiji

Vanua Levu, Fiji

We say goodbye to the sailing yacht Tuvalu and won't see her again anytime soon. But we'll stay in touch. And we've learned one thing: plans change all the time, and who knows what the future holds? On November 14, we set off for New Zealand. This crossing is also quite uncomfortable. As is so often the case in this region, the weather forecast is completely wrong, and we have strong winds, initially from the southwest, later turning to the southeast. We took a few knocks on the way to New Zealand. A mast slider was torn out of the mast track, the line on the genoa furling system had to be replaced, and a few other minor things broke. In the end, we were glad to reach New Zealand after eight days. We clear customs in Opua and spend a few days in the Bay of Islands before setting off for our final destination, Whangarei. We now have 4,500 nautical miles behind us.

Bay of Islands, New Zeeland

Whangarei, New Zeeland

We will end 2025 on land and give Katinka Enjoy a thorough overhaul. New Zealand is the most suitable place for this. We will report regularly on our activities in New Zealand here. Don't forget to subscribe to the blog so you don't miss anything. With this in mind: always fair winds, and keep a stiff upper lip.

A few facts about the year 2025:

4,573 nautical miles sailed

7 countries visited

20 islands visited

15 yachts encountered or revisited:

Maria Noa

Destiny

Lady Blue

Tuvalu

Odysseus

USI

Valentin

Elsa

Meerla

Resolution

Lolli

Moana

Barbarella

Nina

Harthor