Allan and Rina's 2009 Sailing Adventure: SailBlogs

Playing Tourist

Rina — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:16:31 -0600

While awaiting information from our insurance company to get things fixed on the boat, we decided to do a road trip with Kuamoana (Richard & Suzanne) up to the most northern point of New Zealand (Cape Reinga). The winds were blowing, seas swirling and we didn't miss being out there in the boat in this weather. We were thinking of our friends still on the passage and experiencing these seas, not much fun. Wind on their noses, bashing into the sea swells, smelling land and friends awaiting their arrivals. The cape was beautiful. I can't believe that we are 5709 nautical miles from Los Angeles!!! I feel the sense of accomplishment personally. I really did it! Now that we are at the end of our South Pacific sailing journey, right before moving the boat back to the Northern Hemisphere, you look back at your passages and can't believe the countries you've seen that are only accessible by boat. Most islands that we've visited only have puddle jumper type planes (oh, and I do not enjoy small planes). Short trips and long passages, we've learned a lot about, not just the boat, but the time that we had together as a couple and then with new friends. We've grown together even closer than we left. It's been an interesting challenge living in such close quarters for over 18 months but, we have learned to appreciate space and the attachment to "stuff". Cruising is a lifestyle, not a vacation (just to clarify that for you land lubbers). Provisioning, cleaning, maintenance, and fixing things in exotic places is such a true statement in the sailing books. We've had rough times, fun times, but for the most part, it's been a pleasure working and learning from Allan. We have realized how much we contribute to each other's strengths and practically read each other's minds on most things. I'm excited and can't wait to finish up our cruising back in Mexico (which seems pretty easy compared to the challenges the South Pacific has served out) and then work our way back up the coast of California, visiting friends and family along the way. Oh, I'm posting more pictures...so check them out. Hi! To everyone...see most of you in December! (View Post...)

A Boat without a Rudder

Allan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:08:17 -0600

We have learned a bunch about rudders and rudder design in the last two weeks, perhaps more than we really cared to, but it has been key to the dialog with insurance about how and why our rudder failed and the possible replacement options.... They are not simple appendages, but complex creatures that must be built to take much stress while gracefully steering the boat with a mild helm. Our original rudder was fiberglass over foam, connected to a fiberglass rudder post. The rudder post failed just below the bottom bearing, but the reasons are still being researched... There were no groundings of the rudder that we are aware of, but serious stresses have been placed on it in force 10 winds and ferocious seas (Just out of Bora Bora in August) and an unfortunate episode backing the boat slammed the rudder against the stops while pulling away from the dock in Vavau.... But it could also be design or manufacturing related.... There have been other well documented Hunter 466 rudder failures... Mike Harker's 466 rudder failure in 2004 is a case in point, but statistically, Hunter rudders have failed no more or less than other brands with stainless rudder posts... even if the fiberglass rudder post is viewed as a maritime abomination by most. (Continued...)

Trapped Like Beavers

Allan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:02:27 -0600

After arriving in New Zealand on the 27th, we checked in with the cheerful customs officials, who were a model of efficiency. We then arranged a quick tow over to Ashby's boatyard where we have been since. We then slept for the better part of two days. (Continued...)