s/v Barefoot

Lavranos 43

30 May 2018 | Savusavu, Vanua Levu
27 May 2017 | Marsden Cove
23 November 2016 | New Caledonia
22 September 2016 | Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
13 September 2016 | Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
10 September 2016 | New Caledonia
25 August 2016 | Queensland, Australia
11 February 2016 | Tasmania, Australia
07 February 2016 | Bass Strait, Tasmania
24 December 2015 | South Stradbroke Island, Gold Coast, Queensland
06 October 2015 | Whitsunday Islands
25 September 2015 | Cape Gloucester, North Queensland
10 September 2015 | Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Islands
28 August 2015 | Mackay, North Queensland
16 August 2015 | Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
28 June 2015 | Jacob's Well, Main Channel, Gold Coast, Queensland
16 June 2015 | Cronulla, Port Hacking, NSW, Australia
13 June 2015 | Port Hacking, NSW, Australia
11 June 2015 | Huskisson, Jervis Bay, NSW, Australia
08 June 2015 | Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Au

New Zealand to Fiji

30 May 2018 | Savusavu, Vanua Levu
Ros
Barefoot set sail from Marsden Cove, NZ for Fiji on 17th May, 2018. The 12 day passage was longer than usual, due to 3 days of calms, and later 'heaving too' for a further 2 days to let some nasty weather pass by Fiji, ahead of us.

Rather than motor in the calms for three days, we enjoyed the magical Pacific like we'd never seen it before. There are a few photos in the gallery.

Barefoot cleared into Savusavu, on the island of Vanua Levu in NE Fiji on 30th May, after a slow but pleasant passage.

New Zealand

27 May 2017 | Marsden Cove
Ros
photo: An Antarctic leopard seal visits Marsden Cove

Yes, the Barefoot crew managed to drag themselves away from the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia before cyclone season. After a gentle passage, we arrived at Marsden Cove, near Whangarei on the North Island on 1st December 2017.

We enjoyed a beautiful New Zealand summer, with a break to visit Ros' family in Darwin over Christmas/New Year and a short tour of Far North Queensland. March and April were spent back in Seattle on 'land-based maintenance' and catching up with friends and family.

The arrival of this leopard seal has been a source of entertainment. Unfortunately she enjoys nibbling inflatable dinghies; whether in the water or on the dock! Fortunately our dinghy is safely stowed.

With the onset of winter we're looking northward. With so many choices, we're still determining our next destination. Watch this space .....

Departing Ile des Pins

23 November 2016 | New Caledonia
Ros
photo: Kuto Bay, Ile des Pins

Although we've waited for more than a week for our weather window, we reluctantly weigh anchor to set sail for New Zealand. The first tropical low pressure system has just passed by, reminding us why we're leaving paradise.

I'm sure we'll be back to enjoy the many beautiful anchorages, clear warm water, delicious pastries, French cheeses and wines ....

Atoll D'Ouvea

22 September 2016 | Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
Ros
Atoll D'Ouvea lies at the north of the Loyalty group. It's well known for it's long white beaches, and we weren't disappointed. Our first anchorage was off the 'Paradise Resort' which welcomed cruisers and offered bar, restaurant, freshwater swimming pool and wifi in delightful surroundings. The resort provided accommodation in secluded cabins, which maintained the peaceful ambience.

We enjoyed a relaxing 2 weeks exploring this beautiful atoll and its fringing islands.

Lifou Island

13 September 2016 | Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
Ros
Barefoot had a great overnight sail from Havanah Pass to Lifou island, the only problem; trying to slow down with a nice beam reach.

We had been told to expect to enjoy anchorages to ourselves out here, so were surprised to have 5 yachts come up on our AIS when in range. We were even more surprised when we rounded the headland into Baie de Gaatcha (on the W. coast), to count 15 masts in 'our' anchorage! The Island Cruising Association rally fleet had arrived from Vanuatu the previous day! However, we managed to find an anchorage spot between the yachts and coral bommies. A bonus was the fresh vege' market organised by the local ladies for the fleet - we were happy to top up our supplies.

What a beautiful bay - and the water temperature is perfect for swimming. The crowd quickly sailed away.
Now we feel like we're on holiday.

New Caledonia

10 September 2016 | New Caledonia
Ros
photo: from Baie du Prony looking towards the southern lagoon.

After nearly 3 years, Barefoot has sadly left Australia, her many new friends and Ros' family.

We waited for the right weather-window at the Queensland Goldcoast, for nearly a month, then managed to have a low pressure system form on top of us en-route. Although rather uncomfortable for 3 days, Barefoot made very good time, with a passage of a little under 6 days to Noumea.

We were very happy to be back in Noumea, recalling precisely where the best Patisserie and markets are located!

We're now out on the south coast in the Baie du Prony, waiting for the SE trades to ease to enable us to head for the Loyalty Islands, east of Grande Terre.

Southport

25 August 2016 | Queensland, Australia
Ros
Planning to winter in New Caledonia, we waited for a weather window at Southport, Queensland (on the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane). We were hesitant in choosing Southport, as our prior experience here at Christmas vacation time, was anything but pleasant for a yacht at anchor.

Due to the persistent SE trades, we waited here for a month for the weather window we needed.

We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed a month anchored in Bums Bay, near our friends on the yacht 'Akimbo', waiting for the same window. At this time of year (winter) the anchorage was not over-crowded, the weather was warm and sunny, and the region experienced record maximum temperatures. With the 'Ice-cream boat' coming by every few days, we had no complaints.

On 25th August we followed 'Akimbo' out through the Southport Seaway, heading for New Caledonia.

Furneaux Group

11 February 2016 | Tasmania, Australia
Ros
(photo: Spike Cove, Clarke Island)

The Furneaux Group of islands lie across Banks Strait, to the NE of Tasmania. Flinders Island is the largest and most well-known of the group. Flinders has a small population, and offers a remote tourist destination for hikers and climbers in the Strezlecki National Park. Some of the islands still have sheep farms, established many years ago. Commercial fishing boats shelter in the many bays.

The Furneaux Group offered convenient anchorages on passage from Deal Island to mainland Tassie. Barefoot anchored first at Prime Seal Island, which provided shelter from the westerly. As the name suggests, these islands were once inhabited by thousands of seals. Sadly, there are very few remaining, although they are now protected.

After a pleasant day's sail south through the islands, we anchored at Spike Cove on Clarke Island, near Banks Strait. Spike Cove was spectacular, with crystal clear water again, surrounded by an array of granite rock formations.

Despite our careful timing of tides and currents, the next day presented a challenge trying to sail eastward through Banks Strait. The current eventually switched and away we went, headed down the East Coast for Freycinet Peninsular.

Deal and Erith Islands

07 February 2016 | Bass Strait, Tasmania
Ros
(photo: looking down on one of the coves on Deal Is)

We usually find if a place is difficult to get to, it's worth the patience and effort. Deal and Erith Islands, small isolated islands in the middle of Bass Strait (mid-way between mainland Australia and Tasmania) are no exception. If you're reading this blog, you are no doubt aware of Bass Strait's reputation for wild weather and seas. This year, on our 3rd Bass Strait crossing, the weather gods smiled upon us, and after a good 36 hr passage from Eden NSW, we anchored in Garden Cove on the north of Deal Island. We were well protected here from the 'southerly' due the next day.

Deal is a high, rugged island, uninhabited apart from wallabies, and Cape Barren Geese. Different volunteer couples are engaged on a 3-monthy basis as island caretakers (they are flown in/out by helicopter) and bring 3 months supplies with them. An impressive vege-patch is maintained by the volunteer keepers (securely fenced to keep out wallabies). Deal's lighthouse is the tallest in the southern hemisphere. For this reason, its top was often in the clouds, so it has been replaced by a modern, shorter one on a nearby rock. The lighthouse and keeper's cottage are now museums and open to the wandering sailors who drop anchor here. We were fortunate in having a perfect calm, blue day to explore the island, to hike and enjoy the magnificent views in all directions. Unfortunately bush-fire smoke from NW Tasmania (more than 150nm away) at times spoilt the clarity.

Erith Island lies half a mile west of Deal. The bays on the two islands, afford shelter from most winds. We anchored in West Cove on Erith Island. Its crystal clear water is offset by a sweeping white sand beach, and rugged rocky headlands. A cabin at the end of the beach, erected by 'The Erith Mob' many years ago, remains open for anyone seeking shelter. Both islands, and the surrounding waters, are national parks.

We set sail again feeling so pleased to have had the opportunity to visit these isolated Bass Strait islands. (photos in the gallery) As the wind came in from the west, we decided to head down to Hobart via the Furneaux Group to the SE of Deal, and then down Tasmania's east coast for the remainder of summer.

Christmas Capsize

24 December 2015 | South Stradbroke Island, Gold Coast, Queensland
Ros
Southward bound, Barefoot made it through the ‘Main Channel’ from Manly on Morton Bay to South Stradbroke Island at the Goldcoast, in time for Christmas! Santa even found us out here and managed to get down Dickenson’s chimney!

The Goldcoast is one of Australia’s favourite national and international tourist destinations, offering water sports of all descriptions – and we’re anchored right in it! The speed limit on the waterways is 40 knots, and most watercraft do their best to maintain it. Needless to say, anchoring here can be rather boisterous.

While enjoying our Christmas lunch we experienced a particularly big wash from the wake of a passing vessel, doing the requisite 40 knots! When we looked outside for the culprit, we were surprised to see the Christmas lunch cruise boat anchored next to us, wash onto a sandbank and capsize – complete with lunch passengers clinging to the foredeck! The photo above tells the story – the passengers were rescued (but not their Christmas lunch!) and the sad vessel was still aground when we departed for a quieter anchorage, a few days later.
Vessel Name: Barefoot
Vessel Make/Model: Lavranos 43
Hailing Port: Friday Harbor, Washington
Crew: David and Roslyn
About: Barefoot is a 13 meter Angelo Lavranos design built in aluminum by Dearden Marine in Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada. David is from Seattle, Washington, USA and Roslyn is from Darwin, Australia.
Barefoot's Photos - Wallis Island
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Entering the lagoon at Wallis Is. This small island is at the end of the pass.
A catamaran coming through the Wallis pass
The clear water makes it easy to see the pass
A Spannish Mackeral landed in the lagoon was delicious
Our first anchorage off Gahi village on the east coast
The Gahi church being repaired as a result of cyclone Evan last December
View from Mata Utu, the main town on Wallis
Ros relaxes at the Mata Utu hotel after a long, hot walk clearing in
The first indication we saw of the impending Pacific Mini Games which were scheduled to start on Wallis in about 4 weeks
Workers relax while repairing the old customs building, ready for the Games
The old Customs House on the waterfront at Mata Utu; getting a face-lift for the Games
The Catholic Church at the village of Mua - each small village has a huge Catholic church
The interior of the churches are particulary colourful
Bright colours inside the Mua church
Glasses and magnifying glass required for navigation around Wallis - Ros looking for the ancient Tongan fort
Found it!  The restored remains of the ancient Tongan Fort, dating back to the mid 1400
Inside the ancient Tongan Fort which covers an expansive area
Inside the fort
Maree in the centre of the fort
Outer wall of the fort
Inside the fort
The Halalo village church, near the southern anchorage.  Attractive roadside gardens were a feature of Wallis.
Halalo village church
Traditional oval-shaped village meeting house next to the Halalo village church
The small boat passage at the southern end of the island was made by the US forces during WWII.  Very useful for cruisers dinghy landing.
The small boat pass to the dinghy landing, at low tide.  The anchorage is in the distance.
Wallis & Futuna have 3 kings.  This is the King
The Mata Utu Catholic Cathedral overlooks the harbour
French yacht,
 
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