aspenforte

Hi all, Well I finally made it to Great Barrier Island on my little Kestrel 18. It was a bit of a sper of the moment decision to go. On January 1st 2017 I weighed anchour in Islington Bay at 06:20 and headed to Great Barrier.I could always opt out and head to another destination if I felt uncomfortable with the weather. I passed Otata Island at about 09:27. I felt comfortable with the weather so continued on. I could always turn back if things changed. I could just make out a small Island which I guessed was Little Barrier. On the way I came apon a pod of about 15 odd dolphins. Not sur

Hi All, Unfortunately I did not get to Great Barrier Island this year. I took the Kestrel out a week before I had planned to leave for Great Barrier Island and the outboard motor packed up, so I decided not to risk going to Great Barrier Island without a motor. Instead I have just returned from spending three weeks over at Coromandel. I had a great time and went as far north as Happy jack and Waiaro Cove. With a south westerly breeze I was not able to stay overnight at Happy Jacks. The day I went to Waiaro Cove it was low tide (as planned), so I anchoured off the beach and rowed the optim

Thanks KM and JB. Your replies have settled the decision (not that it needed settling); I will be going to Great Barrier Island this summer. Now to get everything ready. I went to Coromandel and Te Kouma last February. It was supposedly blowing a 20-knot westerly on the way over and the Kestrel handled it great. A 28/30 ft keeler came past with just its jib up. So I have confidence in the little boat, but I will still watch my weather, as I am very flexible with my times and I am there to have fun . Thanks

Hi everyone, I have a kestrel 18ft trailer sailer and I am thinking of sailing over to Great Barrier Island this summer for a couple or three weeks. Obviously I will have to pick my weather window sailing there and back, but once there I should be reasonably safe in Port Fitzroy, so long as I watch the weather. Is there water available on the Island and where and is it safe to drink? What are the must see places? Any places to stay away from, for whatever reason? Is it safe to leave a dingy on the beach while you are away tramping some of the tracks (I may or may not take my dingy wit