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Post by Fogg on Apr 6, 2023 1:53:38 GMT 12
I think a few folks here have aspirations - or plans - to sail offshore.
Which gave me the idea for a whole new thread.
Go!
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Post by Fogg on Apr 6, 2023 1:58:29 GMT 12
I’ll start… Fogg has aspirations to do a season up to the islands next year. Would probably be Fiji to make it easy and family friendly. Talking of which I would probably sail Fogg to / from Fiji with a couple of crew and my family would fly up & down.
I’ve done a couple of S Pacific trips but not as many as some of you here. And Fogg hasn’t done the trip so would need to go through the Cat 1 process etc.
At some point over the next few months, I’d love to sit down for a beer with anyone who has done the trip in their own boat and find out more about the fine details of spending a few months up there. Maybe a little meet-up for others also interested!
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Post by ComfortZone on Apr 6, 2023 8:50:53 GMT 12
to follow. I sailed the 2019 ICNZ Pacific Rally, fantastic trip, except for a really shitty first night out of Marsden Cove. The one observation was 4 counties in 5 months meant you were covering the ground quite quickly. This year CZ is heading for Vanuatu mid May for approx 2.5 months then New Cal mid August for 2 months. Will be "buddy boating" with Sweet Waters Insurance conditions say I have to be back in NZ by 31 October. 2 crew going to Vanuatu, both did the AKL - Tonga run with me in 2019. GF will be flying up early June, see the 2 countries with me then fly back to NZ from New Cal Advice 1. If your boat has not been offshore recently and/or up to cat 1 allow at least 3 mths to get ready and engage with your cat 1 inspector early 2. If you need to do courses, Sea Survival and First Aid, book early (they fill up quickly) and try and do them late the previous year to departure 3. Insurance is getting very difficult, I managed to get cover with Vero thru Baileys as an existing customer, 25% increase over 2019 premium. 4. Read the insurance terms very carefully, I found some contradictions in Vero's policy and one downside is they want 3 crew for all international legs, even the 200NM between Vanuatu and New Cal (which I did single handed last time). Sweet Waters got a quote from Pantaneus, the price was gut wrenching and conditions onerous. 5. Have new antifouling just prior to departure, as in no more than a couple of months old. Combine this with the required Cat 1 out of water inspection 6. To save a few $$'s there is usually safety gear eg raft and drogues/para anchors that you can borrow from people not sailing in your chosen year. Just ask around early 7. A small but important item - LPG capacity. I used about 2 1/2 9kg bottles worth in 2019. Refilling at Vuda Pt Fiji is really easy, the station is literally right new door to the marina. Other locations/Countries not so easy.
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Post by sloopjohnb on Apr 6, 2023 10:57:32 GMT 12
CF you can't leave until the road north is opened!
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Post by ComfortZone on May 1, 2023 20:19:17 GMT 12
so progressing steadily on preparations for trip to Vanuatu and New Cal have ticked all the boxes for Offshore insurance (topic of the year for cruisers) including finding a replacement crew member after no 3 bailed Had our Cat 1 inspection with Kevin Lidgard last Saturday so another big box ticked. Still have another 2 weeks or so of final jobs, provisioning etc to complete and meanwhile will be watching the weather much more closely.
On the other minor matter my informants tell me there is still no set date for the road opening, even though it is ready to go now.
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Post by fish on May 1, 2023 22:48:08 GMT 12
You'll need a LOT of pollies for opening that other minor matter. And the head polly is currently off for the 100 million pound piss up for King Charlies party. You'll also need to wait for a particular point in the news cycle when the pollies need a distraction or good news story.
My bet will be within 3 months of the election.
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Post by Fogg on May 5, 2023 17:01:26 GMT 12
Hey CZ - I met up with Warwick (Fusio) for a few beers on Fogg a couple of weeks ago to discuss some of the practicalities. Was really useful with lots of similar advice to your post above. One really important item came up that I’d not thought of at all. Beer. Personally I love Becks but to store months worth of bottles (and deal with the disposal issue) would be a challenge. So Warwick told me about his home brewing which apparently can be done in just 6-7 days up there. I’ve never brewed beer myself but might give it a try. With the backup option of buying beer ashore in Fiji 😊 Also bread. I have started experimenting with making my own and it’s a lot easier than I expected. This was my 2nd attempt which I did today - it tastes indistinguishable from a $8 artisan loaf from Farro.
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Post by Fogg on May 24, 2023 15:21:11 GMT 12
CZ - how’s your latest plan looking?
My friend in her little 27 footer departed Opua on Sunday for Vanuatu (despite the swell). I think she was just desperate to escape the NZ weather.
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Post by jim on May 24, 2023 17:36:18 GMT 12
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Post by ComfortZone on May 24, 2023 19:57:06 GMT 12
CZ - how’s your latest plan looking? My friend in her little 27 footer departed Opua on Sunday for Vanuatu (despite the swell). I think she was just desperate to escape the NZ weather. we have decided to wait. I have an aversion to head winds sailing across the front of a low and thunderstorms further north. Being conservative given the changeable nature of the weather at present. Received a detailed plan from Bruce on Monday, with the qualification that the plan was doable but conditions far from ideal. Subsequent to that the forecast did ease off but I still have my concerns as noted Our buddy boat has headed off to Vanuatu, 10 days at Marsden Cove was eating him up, as I think it was for alot of other people. Looking at the situation next week, main issue looks to be a lack of wind at present Fortunately my crew are able to drop what they are doing on short notice to leave when we decide the time is right, no time pressures forcing questionable decisions
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Post by Fogg on May 25, 2023 10:21:22 GMT 12
Looks like departure next week Tue / Wed might be good option? Possibly head slightly east of rhumb line initially (riding the W) and the turn left when the E comes in a few days later?
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Post by Fogg on May 25, 2023 10:25:16 GMT 12
Although to be fair there’s still massive divergence in the models for later next week, most notably between ECMWF (looks good) vs GFS (looks bad).
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Post by em on May 25, 2023 12:33:11 GMT 12
Saw a boat slip out the fonga heads this morning . Had a quick scan around and it’s just out past sugar loaf rocks heading NE . They may just be putting a long one in and gybing up the coast , or jumping the shark and taking Sunday on the nose .
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Post by ComfortZone on May 25, 2023 15:48:23 GMT 12
Although to be fair there’s still massive divergence in the models for later next week, most notably between ECMWF (looks good) vs GFS (looks bad). Bruce's advice is not to take much notice of the GFS model (ex NOAA), look for the ECMWF and UKMO models to be in agreement and that is your best guide. Both BOM (Australia) and Metservice base their forecasts on UKMO, ACCESS being the BOM output from this. Obviously watching developments over the next few days with the intention to depart Tuesday barring radical changes
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Post by armchairadmiral on May 25, 2023 15:55:09 GMT 12
Back in the day (b4 all this techy stuff) we just used to if it was OK on the day, We only got the shit beaten out of us at some part of the trip 66% of the time. GREAT odds. Should have given up sailing and done stamp collecting ??
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