Marsden Cove to Whangarei

Hi everyone,

On Friday we departed Marsden Cove Marina for Whangarei.  We split the passage by anchoring overnight at Limestone Island.  Many of our cruising pals from the Pacific are in Whangarei with more arriving back from trips home over the festive season.

"Fish Hook" Bascule Bridge

We motored the 5nm to Limestone Island.  The island is about half way up Whangarei Harbour.  It's a nice anchorage with up to 1 knot of tide running through its outer part.  While there we did several boat jobs including separating our stern anchor's chain from its nylon rode and eye-splicing the latter.  Stowing them as a single unit wasn't working - too heavy!  We relearned how to splice 8-braid line.

Track to Limestone Island

Motoring upstream

Approaching Limestone Island

Anchored off Limestone Island

Stern anchor chain

Limestone Island sunset

After a good night's sleep we headed up the harbour to the Town Basin in the centre of Whangarei.  The lower part of the Harbour reminded us of the Tamar River in Tasmania.  The upper part reminded us of UK south coast rivers with lots of small marinas and boats on pile moorings.

About a mile short of the Town Basin one has to pass through a lifting Bascule bridge.  One calls the operator on VHF ch 18 to arrange passage.  We passed through with one other yacht.  From there the river is quite narrow with pile moorings and boat houses on each side.  Then it opens out at the marina beyond which there's a low bridge.

Track to Whangarei Town Basin

Arrival

Motoring upstream

Approaching the bridge

Through the bridge

Approaching Town Basin

In Town Basin

We've had another article published in UK magazine Yachting Monthly's March edition.  Entitled "Six Months in a Leaky Boat".  It describes hunting down and fixing several leaks during our 2024 North Atlantic circuit.

Front Page

First page of article

We'll be staying here for several days to do some "big town" shopping and to catch up with various cruising friends.

Trust all's well where you are!