|
|
Post by Fogg on Aug 21, 2023 8:13:46 GMT 12
Cruising Fiordland and Stewart Island has always fascinated me. Me too. I'm working very hard to get down there this summer. I have tentatively booked in mid Jan until the 31st of March off work to head down. The job list and timeframe is looking dooable but the pressure is on. No 400k boat and deck saloon for me however... What’s your boat, sabre? |
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Aug 21, 2023 8:21:46 GMT 12
I think about sharks a bit but if you obsess about them then you’ll never go swimming. I’ve actually been more spooked by the 2-3 Mako sightings I’ve had in the warmer waters around Kawau and Barrier than anything else. And leopard seals frighten me too. I think most White shark attacks seem to be mistaken identity often leaving their victims after an initial bite. Admittedly that initial bite can be catastrophic on its own. Something I would never do is swim in a known seal colony area in a black wet suit. I think that’s inviting trouble. But I only swim in togs anyway so I’m obviously a strange skinny white-ish thing and most definitely not a nice fatty seal. 😊 |
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Aug 21, 2023 10:18:46 GMT 12
"I'm not going to Fiji because it might not be as nice and warm as I hoped, so I'm going to the Auckland Islands instead"? I didn't see crowded anchorages at all in the Yasawa Islands, 2 places that filled up a bit before a blow, miles of empty coral sand picture perfect beaches, islands and bays with no one there. I got the feeling you could anchor in a different bay each day for a month or more without sharing. I suspect the North and East areas are even more rewarding? Maybe you should fly up for a couple of weeks to get your head back in order? - Don't go to Denarau, it's not Fiji. Alternatively do as we have done and come to Vanuatu. Warm (most of the time), great people, interesting anchorages, some challenging sailing and once you get past Port Vila not many boats. We regard more than 5 boats in a bay as being a crowd. Currently sitting in Lameen Bay, Epi, which is sort of the cross roads for boats heading north/south and there is just us and one other Kiwi boat, Kalimera (a repurposed ex Admirals cup boat from early 80's) from Tauranga. |
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Aug 21, 2023 10:33:28 GMT 12
Me too. I'm working very hard to get down there this summer. I have tentatively booked in mid Jan until the 31st of March off work to head down. The job list and timeframe is looking dooable but the pressure is on. No 400k boat and deck saloon for me however... What’s your boat, sabre? Its just a wee Raven 26. Nearly finished a top to bottom refit which has taken far too long and cost a silly amount of money. I have strengthened what I thought were all the weak points and modified it a bit. Looking forward to getting some return on all my efforts very soon. |
|
|
|
Post by fish on Aug 21, 2023 10:38:31 GMT 12
Cruising Fiordland and Stewart Island has always fascinated me. Me too. I'm working very hard to get down there this summer. I have tentatively booked in mid Jan until the 31st of March off work to head down. The job list and timeframe is looking dooable but the pressure is on. No 400k boat and deck saloon for me however... This could do with it's own thread. How do you get there? I see it is 650 ish nm from Cape Reinga to Milford Sound (715 nm from Mongonui), or about 400 nm from the Marlborough Sounds to Milford. Obviously further to Doubtful Sound, which is much more interesting. And you have a lee shore for the whole trip given our typical weather patterns (excluding global boiling). I would comment on the need for a diesel heater, but based on a kayaking trip in Doubtful when at Uni, I think sandlfy screens would be the primary topic of consideration, mwahahaha. |
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Aug 21, 2023 11:02:35 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Aug 21, 2023 11:15:59 GMT 12
Me too. I'm working very hard to get down there this summer. I have tentatively booked in mid Jan until the 31st of March off work to head down. The job list and timeframe is looking dooable but the pressure is on. No 400k boat and deck saloon for me however... This could do with it's own thread. How do you get there? I see it is 650 ish nm from Cape Reinga to Milford Sound (715 nm from Mongonui), or about 400 nm from the Marlborough Sounds to Milford. Obviously further to Doubtful Sound, which is much more interesting. And you have a lee shore for the whole trip given our typical weather patterns (excluding global boiling). I would comment on the need for a diesel heater, but based on a kayaking trip in Doubtful when at Uni, I think sandlfy screens would be the primary topic of consideration, mwahahaha. I haven't decided yet probably down the east coast. I'm leaving from Tauranga so if there is a NW around mid Jan I think it would be an easy decision to head that way. Pros and cons to both. Going east I could end up waiting awhile for a weather window to get around the bottom but plenty of sheltered anchorages to wait. Going west means dealing with whatever weather is happening when I arrive down the bottom. I have had the diesel heater in the boat and working. I built a locker inside the cockpit coaming that works a treat. Currently back out to allow for painting. And yep I have sandfly screens for the hatches and portlights lol |
|
|
|
Post by fish on Aug 21, 2023 12:14:47 GMT 12
I was looking at that the other day. Note sure if Lotto would cover it, more like powerball. Noting that lotto div 1 is $1mil, and usually split 2 or 3 ways, so $500k or $330k. I normally only get lotto tickets and never powerball. And never get a lotto ticket when there is a jackpot draw on cause div 1 gets split 15 ways. Imagine getting dive 1 lotto and walking away with $67k? The week after a jackpot draw is ideal. The odds are far higher to win lotto, and I think winning powerball would be a major pain in the arse, esp a jackpot. What would you do with $20mil? It would change your life, and I'm happy with the one I've got. You'd suddenly have 'old friends' coming out of the woodwork looking for handouts, and there would be some expectation to pay for everything when out with mates. Div 1 would be just enough to make life comfortable but not enough to cause trouble, jealousy and the like. |
|
|
|
Post by em on Aug 21, 2023 14:32:01 GMT 12
"I'm not going to Fiji because it might not be as nice and warm as I hoped, so I'm going to the Auckland Islands instead"? I didn't see crowded anchorages at all in the Yasawa Islands, 2 places that filled up a bit before a blow, miles of empty coral sand picture perfect beaches, islands and bays with no one there. I got the feeling you could anchor in a different bay each day for a month or more without sharing. I suspect the North and East areas are even more rewarding? Maybe you should fly up for a couple of weeks to get your head back in order? - Don't go to Denarau, it's not Fiji. This ^^^ spent a fair bit of time superyachting there . There’s a shit load lot of water to cover up there and plenty of island groups to explore . If you have the finances the tuamotus and marquesas are a must go …I would go as far as saying it’s almost life changing it’s that stunning . An added bonus is the local Polynesians are quite different in a pleasant way and speak French plus English in most cases . downside is a fast trip to Papeete is 14 days and the tuamotus are another 200 or so miles north again |
|
|
|
Post by GO30 on Aug 21, 2023 14:38:26 GMT 12
We've worked with a few boats heading down there and you will need DOC permission. That often comes with 'Oh seeing you ate heading that way can you take one of our lads with you so they can do XYZ'. As far as I can remember the last few boats we helped were all taking 1 or 2 DOCers down with them. I understand it's not that onerous and more common sense stuff like is the boat very clean inside and out i.e no fan worm or Outer Spotted Field Mice that could sneak ashore. Also what plans are there should you have a fuel leak and things like that. So arguably not much more than you'd do for a offshore or to a sensitive spot.
Not all the boats have been solid as fuck clunkers either, one was a 42ft glass boat which wouldn't be that dissimilar to a shrunken Fogg (the boat not the dude). Most have been in the 48-55ft area, very few with Foggs speed potential. Most skippers aim for windows to get down there then one to get back. Once there shelter seems to be OK, it;s just the bit between them and NZ that's the tricky bit. Assuming Fogg got there OK and it's only 250NM so only need 3 or so day OK window, with the prevailing winds being from the S the slide back to Bluff could be a hell good ride. I think the biggest requirement to going to the Aucklands, beside appeasing the cock-wombles is having a pair big enough to actually say 'Fuck it, lets do this thing, throw those lines off lets go'. And Mr Fogg, if the idea has any appeal you already have 3 keen bodies keen to go, that is assuming you are coming with Sabre and me  |
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Aug 22, 2023 14:13:50 GMT 12
Its just a wee Raven 26. Nearly finished a top to bottom refit which has taken far too long and cost a silly amount of money. I have strengthened what I thought were all the weak points and modified it a bit. Looking forward to getting some return on all my efforts very soon. Nice solid little boat. I’d rather a small solid boat than a bigger softer one (and there are plenty of those around). Presume you have sone kind of heating solution? Obviously it’s a small cabin volume so doesn’t require a big, expensive installation. |
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Aug 22, 2023 14:17:45 GMT 12
The guy I bought Fogg from decided to get an expedition vessel for higher latitude exploring. He struggled to find the right boat that wasn’t massive in size. So he’s ordered a new Boreal 47.2 which has the bonus of fitting on a 15m berth plus a small internal ‘wheelhouse’ position. Will he interesting to see how he gets on with it (very long waiting list though).
Meanwhile he’s got a C45 as a stop-gap for Med cruising until his Boreal arrives.
|
|
|
|
Post by fish on Aug 22, 2023 15:30:28 GMT 12
Boreal 47.2
European yacht of the year 2021
I love the look of yachts with purpose, expedition yachts. Don't take this the wrong way, but I struggle to get exicted about the latest model plastic out of europe. Great boats and offer a lot of quality cruising for a lot of people. But it's like looking at the latest family SUV compared to a old school Landrover.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Aug 22, 2023 15:43:04 GMT 12
Yes Fogg’s previous owner has good tastes 😊
It’s about matching the boat for the purpose. Fogg (like his current C45) is a perfect Gulf / Med / S Pacific / SE Asia tropical cruiser. But it’s not your first choice for higher latitudes.
The only thing in Fogg’s favour wrt a trip to / from the Auckland Islands is speed with 7-9kts being typical range in good conditions.
|
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Aug 22, 2023 17:02:32 GMT 12
Boreal 47.2 European yacht of the year 2021 I love the look of yachts with purpose, expedition yachts. Don't take this the wrong way, but I struggle to get exicted about the latest model plastic out of europe. Great boats and offer a lot of quality cruising for a lot of people. But it's like looking at the latest family SUV compared to a old school Landrover. Have followed the development of the Boreals with great interest since their inception. Had a good look over an original Boreal 47 (44 with an extended duckboard) at the Annapolis Boat show in 2018. Very interesting boat but a bit cramped eg not enough headroom in the shower. I believe the 47.2 addresses alot of these issues being a bigger volume boat. One of the Boreal company owner's was onboard, very friendly and helpful. Said if I was in France they would happily provide a tour of the factory. |
|
