03/05/2008

This is the seat on the lookout of Roberton. There is a nice carving of yachts but they are headed toward a large woodknot which looks just like a tropical rotating storm.

03. Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ

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David and Andrea
03/05/2008

Ken, this Bavaria 42 was commissioned in 1999 and has sailed here from Norway via Cape Horn. The stern was interesting with the gated wind vane system allowing use of the swim deck. Note the stern anchor deployment and the liferaft launcher.
Enjoy.

03. Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ

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David and Andrea
03/05/2008, Opua, NZ

The Rally to Tonga was due to leave yesterday the 3rd but an impending low coming in from the Tasman with winds forecast to be 30 knots from the north has convinced us and most others to delay our departure until Monday. Winds by then will have backed, moderated and may even go to the SE. Unfortunately, rain will be unavoidable.
Moira has arrived after a very long trip from the wilds of Sorrento in Victoria.
Here in Opua we have all had cabin fever and needed to get out. This was achieved in a nice spell of sunshine and SW breeze doing a tour of the Bay of Islands including lunch at the stunning Roberton Island, site of Cook's first landing in NZ. We took a group from Waverunner, including Cathy, Peter, Leslie, and Carl, with us and had great sailing in up to 30 knots. After a squall passed we went ashore to take in the scenery from a precipitous lookout (see photo gallery).
The wind had died by evening so we motored back.
Diomedea is almost ready (again) for the ocean. We have to place the perspex stormshutters today over the "leaky Lewmar" portlights in the head and galley. John had produced very neat shutters with the jigsaw. We have vacuum packed our shore clothing again, just in case. The dive compressor has been fired up very briefly. This proved harder than anticipated as it required a 15Amp, 240Volt power supply which the boat did not possess. My inquiries as to the availability of a marine electrician to install said device were fruitless. So it fell to moi, under the telephone guidance of BME in Pittwater, to wire up the outlet. I was delighted when it provided power without blowing up the 12Volt side!
We had a nice dinner out at the Bluewater Cafe, courtesy of John and Moira - thankyou.
Andrea and Moira had a visit to Kawakawa to refuel the "Rent a Dent" and stopped to gaze in wonder at the Hundertwasser toilets in the CBD. There are entrance columns with soccerball sized coloured beads in various configurations. The toilets are in fact a listed and publicized tourist attraction. Apart from the toilets, there is little to recommend in Kawakawa. There is a Chinese restaurant at either end of the street and a 4 Square in the middle.

03. Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ

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Andrea
28/04/2008, Opua, NZ

55 mm of rain last night, this morning a brief glimpse of sunlight and now more rain. Nevertheless the days pass quickly with various preparations for the next leg.

Otto our autopilot went on strike when tested this a.m. The reason: connections in the "professionally" installed Navpod instrument housing at the bimini were water logged. Not one of the screw holes and closures of the thing had one iota of silicone or grease.
The Raymarine E screen at the helm has a normal computer cable at the back and of course several "teeth" in the VGA cable have just corroded off despite best attempts to protect the connection. Raymarine designers should be shot for such poor designs
Marine trades -me thinks- have never been out in any of the worlds oceans, at the very least they should stand in a saltwater shower for an hour tearing up some of their own $100 bills as training.
The forward looking sonar has also forgotten that it is a modern appliance and gone back to black and white.
We are learning to expect that at least one thing per day will need fixing and if it is minor it is a good day.

On a brighter note the dive compressor arrived today. Thank god the internet could enlighten us as to what the hell 11 fluid ounces are in real measurements so we could fill the compressor with the required oil.

03. Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ

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David
27/04/2008, Opua

Today, finally, the sun came out. The rain of the last week has disappeared and we were able to tackle some outside jobs and generally laze about.
We bid farewell to Yaghan, the Hallberg Rassy 62, which berthed nearby. They are bound for Bundaberg and we wish them a pleasant voyage.
Here in the marina, there is a thrum of activity, like a diesel at 2000rpm. People are beginning to focus on the forthcoming cruises. Some are going to Vanuatu, some to Fiji and many, like us are bound for Tonga. Crews are up masts, installing stuff, and generally getting ready. We have been busy today with food and grog lists, passage plans, weather, coms etc. In fact today is really the first time that we have given serious consideration to the rest of the trip. This was made easier by the inaugural use of the C-Map programe on the computer. This allows one to sail anywhere in the world with a few mouse clicks and it is an indispensable tool for the armchair offshore sailor. Peter, from Waverunner, collaborated in the installation of the package. Thank you. For us, it is very exciting to actually contemplate the next 1100nm passage and to think of what lies ahead.
Yesterday we had an outstanding presentation by one of NZ's premier weathermen, Bob McDavitt. He is the Kiwi version of Ken Batt and gave a very informative talk. Initially he spoke of subtropical ridges, lows, cold fronts, the effect of La Nina, currents, sea temps and so on. All very interesting but the crowdpleaser was when he demonstrated the weather routing programme, "Expedition". This allows the user to factor in a large number of variables pertaining to the next week of MSLP forecasts, oceanic factors, desired conditions and boat performance. With all the data the programme generates a sailing route over a rhumb line course with predicted wind angles, turns etc. The audience, including myself, were gobsmacked. His prediction, at a week out, was that we would have downwind conditions initially. Beautiful! Obvious subject to review.
We are looking good for a departure on 3rd of May so not long to go. This week will be very busy with many rally-related activities to complete. Boat improvements still are progressing but I am quite satisfied with what we have done to date. Andrea is very focussed on our future itinerary through the island chains and also has the galley situation reasonably under control.
On the home front, we have heard from Hannah, that her boat has been providing stiff competition for the university 8. Well done Hannah and crew of JB.
Tonight Angus was at a concert and recently had some time in Noosa, but only 12 hours! Jet setter.
Check out the photos now posted in the gallery.

03. Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ

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David
23/04/2008, Opua

Really spectacular coastal landforms greeted us as we finally cast off the docklines for the long awaited inaugural cruise of the Bay of Islands. A 10-15knot souwester pushed Diomedea gently up the channel. A gybe around the headland just beyond Russell and it was a pleasant sail in the sound between several large islands, all called Motu..something. We spied several appealing anchorages with white sand beaches but chose to keep sailing. It was something of a relief to be out again and not have to deal with vigorous offshore conditions! A rain squall chased us out into the main part of the bay and from there it was some long tacks back to the channel. We have just had drinks with our Kiwi friends on Waverunner. They are imprisoned in the dock by a malfunctioning bowthruster and we feel for them. To help console them we drink their grog. Excellent.
Andrea and I fitted a new bathroom light and tomorrow some new LED navlights will go in. We have a chartmarking afternoon to attend at the yacht club tomorrow so that we know where to go in the islands. There is a cafe which serves cappuccinos just round the corner but its hours are worse than an english pub.

03. Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ

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