Opua Outbound Day 2

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 33 15S 171 26E steering 290M, sailing under double-reefed main and full yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 12G16 from the ESE.  Our noon to noon distances were 94nm by the log and 105nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 201nm and 205nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 982nm.

Three Kings Islands at sunset

Yesterday afternoon saw the light and sloppy conditions continue.  Twice we motored for an hour when the sails were slatting and we were almost stopped.  The 1.5m short swell from the S was unpleasant.

We did manage to see the Three Kings Islands, albeit as the sun was ssetting.  Spectacular place with lots of wildlife around them.  We saw large flocks of birds, one albatross and a small whale.  The whale overtook us!  Quite a bit of current between Cape Rienga and the Three Kings.

Dawn

We gybed at midnight to head NNW.  This put the swell behind us and the ride improved.  But the wind was still light and we continued using Kami the autopilot to hold course.  At 0300 the wind gradually started to back into the SE and fill in a little.  We tucked the second reef in and swapped over to Kazi the vane gear.  The trisail sized main balances the boat for Kazi.  Oh the serenity!  No more eeee-awe of the autopilot actuator over-steering.

Around dawn we copped a couple of light showers.  These backed the wind around to ESE so we're now on a reasonable course.  The sky is now partly cloudy with long sunny spells.  Air temperature was 17C overnight and has risen to 20C today.  Significantly warmer than yesterday.

Showers

Trust all's well where you are!

Opua Outbound Day 1

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 34 14S 172 48E steering 290M, sailing under single-reefed main and full yankee at 3.5 knots.  The wind was 8G12 from the SSE and fading.  Since departure at 1100 we covered 107nm by the log and 99nm over the ground.  We have 1063nm to go on a 1163nm route towards Southport, QLD.

Sunset on Day 1

We cleared out with NZ Customs at 1000 yesterday (Monday) in Opua.  By 1100 we were underway.  We motored out into the Bay of Islands and set sail at 1200.

Ready for Departure

We had a pretty good sail up the coast in light winds.  A nice way to start a passage.  The winds held in all night under a partly cloudy sky with a waxing 3/4 moon.

Bay of Islands astern

Heading N along the coast

At dawn we were passing North Cape and pushing into a knot of current.  By midday the winds were dying and soon after the motor went on.  We had hoped to sail past the Three Kings Islands in daylight but the slow going has made that impossible.

Passing North Cape at dawn

The wind is predicted to fill in tonight and then strenghen from the E.  That should take us most of the way to the Australian east coast.  May cop a front just before arrival.

Trust all's well where you are!

Opua Return Final

Hi everyone,

Today we will clear out of New Zealand!  At last we have a good weather window.  While waiting we spent a last week out at Awaawaroa Bay, a lovely spot with great protection from SW through N to E.  On our way back to Opua we spent a couple of nights in Pomare Bay.

Sunset in the Bay of Islands

Here's our track to and from the bay...

Track

The week in Awaawaroa Bay was very chilled.  Several nights we were on our own there.  For much of our stay we had N winds, often with showers.  It's getting chilly here overnight with a lot of dew.  However the water was 21C and we had several sessions hull-cleaning.

Pole position in Awaawaroa Bay

Company further out in the bay

Sunny Day

Cloudy Day

On weighing anchor in Pomare Bay, which has a muddy bottom, we broke our third and last short-arm plastic winch handle.  We only use this type on the anchor windlass since the short arm doesn't interfere with the headsail furling line nearby.  We replaced it when back in Opua.

While at anchor we tested the SSB, talking on the ham ANZA Net with folks across Australia, NZ and in Hawaii.  On another day we chatted with a ham in Florida.  Propagation conditions are good!

Third fractured winch handle

We've been super-busy preparing for departure today since returning to the marina on Friday.  Fuel and water tanks and jerries filled, deck gear checked, shackled dry-lubed, anchor lashed and bolted in place, provisions topped-up, charts updated, computer rebooted, rattlers packed in cloths etc etc.

It's also been social.  FSC F89 Halcyon Days arranged an Aussie movie night on ANZAC Day.  We showed The Castle - a great Aussie classic - with many Aussies and others having a great night.  Yesterday Nicki and I took the ferry across the river and walked up to Omata Estate winery for an early birthday celebration.  Twas a great lunch and nice to have a break from the preparations.

On the ferry

At the winery

Kitchen Platter is highly recommended

Good times!

We expect our passage, almost certainly to Southport QLD, to take 10-12 days.  There's a big, 'blocking' high pressure system in the Tasman Sea which we'll 'ride' most of the way.  It'll be fantastic to return to the Aussie east coast after 15 years.

Trust all's well where you are!