Adams 3 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Hi All, I intend to sail my 38' steel sloop from Auckland to Wellington where she will stay. I have extensive with blue water sailing (eg, NZ - islands) but have not sailed to Wellington before. What are the pros and cons of either the west coast (heading north first) or the east coast? Places to stop, if any? Is it best to hang out up north after Cape Reinga and wait for a good window? If going east coast, is there an issue with headwinds after East Cape? These are things I have heard, hence my request to this wider, well-informed forum. Also, is there a preferred time to go? Ideally, I would do this in the next weeks, month or so. If this has been discussed before please advise which threads. I am also looking for a crew member - see my other post. Thanks. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wild violet 38 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 I prefer the west coast done it 7 times and east coast twice,lots of southerlys on east coast,especially from Napier down.West coast is only 2 days to New Plymouth if you need to call in or 3 days to Wellington. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
khayyam 92 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 there's an old thread somewhere. i seem to recall the west coast getting more votes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adams 3 Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 I'll second that......but 3 times less on the west side Did you try the East coast too? How did it compare to West coast? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adams 3 Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 Sailing from Auckland to Marlborough Sounds http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic/12020-sailing-from-auckland-to-marlborough-sounds/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adams 3 Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 there's an old thread somewhere. i seem to recall the west coast getting more votes. This? http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic/12020-sailing-from-auckland-to-marlborough-sounds/?do=findComment&comment=216905 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wild violet 38 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Bang on KM west coast is much more user friendly.East coast is a bloody nightmare,took me a month to deliver a yacht from Auckland to Nelson.Got pinned in Napier for 10 days southerly wouldn't stop.Finally got away then got hammered around Cape Palliser. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
khayyam 92 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 also http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic/10656-marlbrough-sounds-to-boi-advice/ http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic/7637-voyage-down-east-coast-nth-island/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adams 3 Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 also http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic/10656-marlbrough-sounds-to-boi-advice/ http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic/7637-voyage-down-east-coast-nth-island/ Thanks for these threads. Really good info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeteG 13 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Having done both coasts a couple of times, and both directions. Best idea is to be organised to go either way, and don't be totally fixed on a date. The weather will dictate which way is best, and you won't make the final decision until the day before you go. Don't get hung up on which way people on here say is "the best". Probably the only advantage of east over west is that there are a more places to stop if you want/need to. The weather forecast that YOU decide to go on will decide it for you, and it is not compulsory to get snotted. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sail Rock 30 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 I have sailed both coasts, only one time each, but agree with PeteG - best route depends on the current forecast. In any case allow several extra days for the whole trip in order to delay departure, put into Gisborne/Napier/Mangonui, heave to, or whatever it takes to catch favourable winds or ride out snotty weather. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,686 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Yep. Just spent a week in wellington watching the wind blow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wild violet 38 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Wondered why I haven't seen a black schooner in Nelson yet,you took the long way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,686 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 We were in nelson for xmas then torrent bay for NY Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wild violet 38 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Bugger missed you then,How did you find the Abel Tasman at xmas,I wait till later as its usually a madhouse. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,686 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Nowhere near as crowded as mansion house Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,284 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Yeah, Southern sailors have no idea what busy is! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScarecrowR31 8 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Just returned from sailing my 31 footer RNI. Weather forecast should dictate what is best. In our case worst section was small leg from East Cape into Hicks Bay. Found weather data accurate within reason but west coast means you are too far out for updates so are relying on old data. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,686 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Well done. I'm in gisborne. Hardest part so far cape Jackson and getting out of Wellington Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkside 63 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 That shelf between East Cape and Hicks can be horrible. You have to go out around 15 miles to get deep water which is hard to get your head around for a 12 mile leg. Last time heading North we had very steep seas with the peaks so close together it was hard to keep the boat moving. Mind you I've had it flat calm there as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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