Swifture Yachts broker Velina Barnes and her husband Peter have recently recently returned from cruising in the South Pacific aboard their Sabre 426, SECOND WIND. Velina captained the trip and Peter, a Physicist at Livermore Labs, was navigator. They first crossed from San Francisco to Hawaii in the Pac Cup Race with a total crew of six in July of 2024.
After the race, they lived on the hook in Kaneohe Bay for almost three months transforming SECOND WIND from a racer into a comfy cruiser by adding a Bimini for full sun protection in the tropics, a BBQ, dinghy, paddleboards and additional solar. Prior to the race they had installed a Schenker Zen 50 watermaker and never needed water from an outside source the whole trip. The Pac Cup check list prepared SECOND WIND for her adventure through big waves and weather to follow in the open sea.
They left Kaneohe via Kona for a 15 day crossing to Tahiti with three souls on board, including crossing the equator with a proper initiation into the Leatherback Club. After reprovisioning in Tahiti and doing some exploring, Velina and Peter set off doublehanding through the Society Islands. They were unplugged and self-sufficient as they sailed, swam, hiked and explored for several months throughout Tahiti, Morea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine, and BoraBora.
Velina describes the time, “It was simply extraordinary, learning the culture and history of one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the world. I have sailed in the Greek islands, Croatia, Bahamas and Spain but this was my favorite. French Polynesia is still pretty much untouched in the outer islands from modern influences. The local people are generous and kind. The abundance of exotic fruit and fresh fish kept us healthy and happy. The water is crystal clear and warm (no foulies required) with abundant sea life and diverse coral full of amazing colors and aliveness. I did not want to leave!”
After being gone for over a year and thousands of miles sailing the Pacific Ocean from 39 degrees north to 18 degrees south and 21 days at sea from Hawaii, SECOND WIND returned to her home on San Francisco Bay on August 5, 2025. Seas the Day!