Bundaberg, Australia – Noumea, New Caledonia – Denarau, Fiji

Departure: 9th August 2019
Arrival: 11th August 2019
Total Distance: 1520nm
Total Moving Time: 46 hours
Average speed leg 1: 33knots
Average speed leg 2: 22knots
Fuel: 14,000 litres

After taking 9,500 litres of diesel and clearing customs at Bundaberg Marina, Australia, Turqoises’s delivery crew set off for Fiji via Noumea at 1pm on Friday 9th of August. The trip was to deliver the boat to it’s new owner who would hop on board in Noumea and join us on the second leg to Fiji where the boat was to be based.

Prior to leaving port a conversation with the captain of a serious looking Sportfisher in marina was reminiscent of many we’d had before. “Where are you going? Noumea? How far is that? How much fuel you got onboard? But it’s the response to the question “how long with that take” that leaves him with a look of disbelief… “24 hours, seriously?” We can see him doing the math in his head and not being quite sure whether to believe us or not.

At 3pm we rounded the sandbar at the northern tip Fraser Island and changed course to noumea, immediately passing a whale just 5m from Portside. For the next 10km we were surrounded by Humpback whales so stopped to take some pics.

The boat’s current owner Greg, who’s onboard for the first leg recounts the story of when he first saw the original Voodoo in the flesh and how he spent the next year trying to convince Dave Pachoud to sell it to him. After some discussion Dave agreed to build him his own Voodoo.

Why’s he agreed to sell it then? Simply because a new billionaire client who wanted a Voodoo to allow his family the adventure they dreamed of, and didn’t want to wait for a build inspired Greg with his dream and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. But it’s ok for Greg because Dave’s building him a new one. Interestingly, even after owning his Voodoo for year and using it extensively Greg’s building his new boat exactly the same – no changes required.

The sea state for the 860nm leg to Noumea was ideal as expected. Turquoise maintained a steady cruise speed of 32-40 knots for the entire trip. 150nm from Noumea the sea went completely glassy and the taps we’re opened up for the rest of the leg. 44knots seemed absolutely effortless, it wasn’t till you stuck your head out of the cabin you could appreciate just how fast were going.

After fuelling up in Noumea we welcomed the new owner aboard for the second leg and said goodbye to Greg. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t going to be quite so kind for this leg with confused seas, primarily straight on the nose for most of the journey. Balancing up comfort and the fact we had no deadline to be in Fiji we decided to lower the cruising speed to 22knots and sit back and enjoy the ride.

30 hours later we were safely docked in Fiji where Turquoise was handed over to her enthusiastic new crew. Once we were through Customs and Immigration the new owner took the helm for the short run out to Malolo Reef. At rest off the tiny strip of sand and coconut trees that is Namotu Island we had breakfast, enjoying the 29 degree sunshine and watching the surfers at CloudBreak. While the crew familiarised themselves with their new boat we explored the reef and the surf.

Finally we prepared to head back to the New Zealand winter. It was sad to say goodbye to Turquoise who had treated us so well on our trip but her new owner’s excitement made it much easier to let her go.