Crazyhorse 47 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Anyone past a keel into Houhora? Looks very narrow and like all good anchorage full of moorings so hoping some knowledgeable folk who have anchored there might be able to pass on some advice Please. Many thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Great place, pick your tide for going into, though, current runs fairly fast, a reasonably significant rock near the entry channel, shown on chart, the channel is well marked and lit ( follow to port up to the moorings. I generally contact the harbour master and he has pointed me to a free (available) mooring, never had to pay, but have left a couple of bottles of wine as appreciation. There is probably a new HM since I was last there. Good 4 square, fishing club, etc. recommended. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazyhorse 47 Posted October 20, 2018 Author Share Posted October 20, 2018 Thanks Steve, will try to get there this year. Looked from the road and seemed all the best reaches to anchor in had moorings so renting might be the way to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Yeah, with what you draw it might be the best option. I can anchor to the right of the entrance with the boards up, not an option for you. though if planning to be there for more than a day or 3 I would chase down a mooring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,587 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Could I get in 2.8m Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeteG 13 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 We went in for a couple of days in April. Got in no problem at low tide and we draw 1.9 m and then anchored off the boat ramp/upper wharf. Not much room, you are amongst the moorings, and lots of current. Outside, Hohoura Bay is not to be missed (and a puff up the hill to old Pa site with views forever) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 BP, as I remember there is lots of water in the channel, and at half tide + I think you shouldn't have a problem, There may be others with thoughts on the depth?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,587 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Thanks. Looks a good staging position before going over the top Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 If you are heading for the West coast, make sure you have the tide in your favour, otherwise it is a long 25 miles, weather permitting you can easily cut inside Pandora bank. Overfalls can be exciting but shouldn't cause problems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazyhorse 47 Posted October 20, 2018 Author Share Posted October 20, 2018 Charts show good depth, 7m in places but its the old story again of no where to drop the pic because of moorings everywhere? A bit like Whangarei Harbour. All the sheltered areas in a southerly full of moorings, mostly empty and covered in weed obviously not being used. Northland appears to not have a policy on where moorings can go or leaving areas to anchor in? Anyhow, glad to know moorings are available. Thanks too for the good advice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,587 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Cool . It would be nice to get around in daylight and be heading south by dusk.the mate coming with me is keen on doing some fishing at Reinga. I suppose if the weather is good.... . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Very good fishing around Cape Rienga, once upon a time we anchored close to the light, mainly to keep clear of the 5 or 6 "large" trawlers that were coming in as close as 250m, they fished all night, gone by daylight. Also good out at the 3 kings, weather permitting, can get very rough!! If you overnight at Waikuku beach and cross early you can get well down the coast the next day, especially with your speedboat! if you are thinking of poking your bow into the Kaipara 1 to 1-1/2 m swell is OK, not much more, (less is better) 1/2 tide onwards, there are some shallowish points at the entrance to the channel, but they are quite visible, (1/2 a mile or so ) good depth once you are across then 5 miles + - parallel to the beach, watch for what are locally known as sweepers, they come in 3's and are quite steep, they will catch you on the beam if you don't turn into them, hobby horse over them, back on course and watch for the next set. By memory we rode 3 sets of them, until we turned to port past the lighthouse, had 11 knots under the keel! strong current. I believe the charts have just been updated, stick to the channels and you shouldn't have a problem, to Hellensville or Whakapirau, Ruawai, probably OK for Dargaville as well, (havn't been) big ships used to venture up there. Use your sounder like a good dog, sniff sniff the bottom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Just looked at ISailor, it shows the entrance quite well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottiE 174 Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 Brought a 1/4 toner back with a mate from Houhora in 2000. I still remember the tides - awesome stuff! Loooooog trip home! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chippie 6 Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 We draw 2.7m and were up there in March. The channel's narrow but deep enough as long as you hold your breath in a couple of spots. We tried to anchor upstream from the wharf to not be in anyone's way but too many moorings and bit dicey on the depth so came back and anchored in the pool off the wharf hoping we weren't going to be a nuisance there. A big fishing boat came right up beside us and we prepared to receive an earful but he offered us his mooring while he was away for a couple of nights and said we were fine where we were anyway. Nice people up there. There's not heaps of room so probably depends on how many boats go in there at the time. Shallower draft boats have a few more options. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chewing Gum 17 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 We go there most years - Houhora is a great place. Usually anchor just past the the little island on the right going in. There is plenty of water for 1 or 2 boats just out of the channel. Very sheltered. We draw 2.1 but 2.5 or so would be fine probably even 3m draft. The first left hand sharp corner when going further up the harbour is a little shallow at dead low but we haven't touched. The rest of the way up to the wharf is deep as. Diesel and water available with the grocery store 5min walk. The game fish club is great also. As mentioned it is likely a mooring will be available unless there is a fishing comp on. There are a couple of nice bays just north of the harbour in settled weather and another favourite for us is Ranganu harbour. Great fishing in the area and good anchorage just past Rangiputa above and close to rocks showing on port side. In sw winds off the little township on the other side of the entrance is ok too. Plenty of depth here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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