We have been working our way around the islands in and near auckland, great coves around waiheke island for anchoring. Great day sailing and plenty to explore. Having to wait out the flow on effects of the cyclone season in the pacific, a couple of heavy wind days have kept us local, however a break in the weather is in the way!

Graf spee has benefited from a good clean up in the interim!

Back to the sailing

Well, I am in Auckland, Graf Spee is about to leave Sydney - tomorrow in fact to make her first ocean passage across the Tasman to Auckland!

We have relocated for work, after all, Auckland is sailing mecca!

Paul has a crew of 4 that are making the crossing - Paul, John B, Mick D, and Eddie.

The boat is packed and ready for the adventure, I will be the welcoming party - and our toy poodle Nikki when they make land at Opua around the end of May.
So good winds and fair sailing to the Graf Spee crew!!

the koelmeyer crew on Graf Spee

more good shots

more steb fisher race shots!

dk rail-bait!

Graf Spee making her way to Geelong in the Melbourne to Geelong race last weekend.

We had two crew join us, Patricia L and Natalie S from RBYC. Patricia is a very experienced 'yachtie' who really got the best out of Graf Spee.

The photo is taken by Steb Fisher the 'official' picture man for the ORCV - and he has taken some great shots of us in action - not the sort of photos you get without sitting in a dingy watching the action pass you by!

We managed a respectable 3rd in our division which is great given it is our first real race and we managed it with a No 3 jib in 10 knots of wind - and yes we are thinking gennaker.

more photos to come!