Vessel Name: | Gryphon |
Vessel Make/Model: | J/40 |
Hailing Port: | Boston |
And so here we are. New Zealand. We started talking about this trip a long time ago and actually formed the intent to come here back in September 2009. It's still a bit surreal that we're finally here and it's even more unreal that we arrived after such a beautiful 7-day passage. No dramas, as they say [...]
On 4 knots of wind we ghosted into the Bay Of Islands in the early morning. Bad fuel in the diesel tank has us nursing the engine along. But at sunrise, We're only 6 miles from the dock in Opua and we're motoring in slowly.
Yesterday was another day of tradewinds sailing. Easterlies around 15 knots for most of the day. The seas set down from the day before and it was great sailing. During the night the wind faded away and so now we're motor sailing. Seems the wind has veered to the SSW - precisely on our nose. Wind speed [...]
And again, more of the same. Emphasis on more - more wind, more waves. Yesterday was a repeat of Day 2. Last night the wind came up to about 20-22 and seems to be staying there. It has gone more east than southeast, so at least they're beam seas or slightly aft. Still, they're up around 8 ft now. When [...]
More of the same and no complaints! SE winds 12-18 knots and we're making 6-7 towards NZ. Our original thought to stop at the Minerva Reefs and been replaced by the excitement of heading straight to NZ. Importantly, the weather for arrival next week is looking okay right now. It can all change, but the longer we linger, the more likely it is to deteriorate. So we'll keep moving.
After a very brief stay in Nuku'alofa, we're underway again. This leg is Tonga to NZ and it's the last leg of our current adventure as we expect to stay in NZ for a while.