Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Ponui Island to Te Kouma Harbour

Hi everyone,
Today we sailed from Chamberlain Bay on Ponui Island to Squadron Bay in Te Kouma Harbour.  Te Kouma is on the Coromandel Peninsula.  It was a fantastic light airs sail with mostly ESE winds of 5-8 knots.

Coromandel Peninsula ahead

Here are the usual screenshots...

Track

Arrival

Graphs

This was an amazing passage.  Zen Again surprised us, which doesn't happen very often.  When the ESE breeze settled in at 9-12 knots apparent hard on the wind on starboard tack we got her "in the groove".  We then released the tiller.  No hands, no lines, no vane gear, no autopilot.  She just sailed onward, adjusting course to the lifts and knocks.  She held on a perfect close hauled course for 40 minutes.  A.m.a.z.i.n.g.

During the crossing to the Peninsula the tide was flooding S.  So we were "lee-bowing" the tide, heading NE but tracking ENE with the current pushing us S.  Very nice.

Chamberlain Bay astern

No hands!

We only took control when it was time to tack S.  In fact we overstood since we couldn't believe she'd keep course as we approached the islands off Coromandel Harbour.  She did.  From there we close reached S to Te Koumo Harbour.

View E into Coromandel Harbour

Approaching Te Kouma Head

Te Kouma Head

Squadron Bay in Te Koumo Harbous is very well protected from E through N to SW.  We're here with about 10 other boats.

Inside Squadron Bay



We expect to stay here for at least two nights.  Hull cleaning continues!

Trust all's well where you are.

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