NZ, June 2010, ready to go

We made our self ready to leave for the 4th of June.
To clear out from Whangarei, you have to make your way down to Marsden Marina where the clearance dock is. This new marina is located after the new commercial port coming up the river. (Way point of the entrance of the channel leading to the marina is: 35°49.86S; 174°28.45E.)


Next morning as we were passing Bay of Island, we got informed that the conditions after North Cape were very ruff. We decided to get shelter in Whangaroa harbor. We informed Maritime Radio about our decision.

We had to text twice a day the custom officer in Opua our position in the bay, the third day we had the visit from the coast guards, every thing went smooth.


June 9th, we made our way back to Opua, cleared in again and waited for the next weather window.

In the summer time, the High pressure systems push the lows down to the South Island. At this time of the year the Highs are weaker and the lows cross the Northern Island. They say to leave after a low crossed the Northern Island, to get pushed north. That’s the theory. All depends how quick the next low shows up to smash you.

We finally made a second attempt June 16th. We started with strong winds 20 to 25 gusting 30 knots knts from SW, but smooth sea being sheltered from the land. Next day after we passed the North Cape we had a ruff sea, but was ok sailing beam reach.

I lost my lifebuoy with floating light and danbuoy. Then the wind turned E-SE 15 to 20 knts, beam reach on the other tack.



On the way we had to watch for a low coming down from Vanuatu and other forming over Queensland.

To avoid the first we made course to Norfolk Island to get the back of it; that means strong S-SW winds. As we were progressing north, this two Lows disappeared.

Then the 6th day we had no wind and motored one night. Next day in the evening we passed Boulari Pass and anchored for the night behind Phare Amedee.

Next day we cleared in Nouméa Port Moselle operating on Channel 67.

We made 903 miles in 7 days and 9 hours. Average 5.1 knts.

It was a fast and sporty passage; we had to jump very quickly in our sea legs.


I sent an email to Russell Radio to inform them about the loss of my safety equipment.