Auckland vs. Wellington?

[Scubash 0]

So....there could be a possibility to move to Wellington...

 

My concern is buying another boat and moving down there and then never sailing because of being nervous in the strong winds. Especially the whole idea of coming in and out of my berth Although learning to be confident in that will do me good!

 

What about racing? All the big races are based out of Auckland... How much racing happens down in Wellington? Here you can race everyday if you want, can you do that in Wellington?

 

More, stronger winds...wouldn't that = a lot more damage thus be more expensive to maintain a boat?

 

Would have to make all new boatie contacts...

[Island Time 1,246]

Wellington Harbour has more racing. Several Clubs. Wellington race boats do tend to be "well tested"

Don't let it put you off Ash, the people won't bite!

 

Mana races mostly over winter, every 2nd Weekend. There is some summer racing - look on their web site http://www.manacc.co.nz/

There are restrictions to the times because of the bar entrance depths. It is by far the most sheltered and calmest water marina in Wellinton. A few people race on other peoples boats in Wellington, and keep their own boat at Mana for cruising.

 

The weather gets to you in the end - I left after 40 odd years sailing down there - guess I'm a slow learner!!

 

Matt

[splashprincess 17]

Yes the weather can be testing here in Welly, but if you can sail here you can sail in most places around the world. We are a friendly bunch of yachties down here and you would have no problems making new boating contacts!

 

As for racing - we probably go for quality rather than quantity. In summer you can race keelers Wednesday and Friday nights, and then Saturday and Sunday, with some weekend offshores in there as well.

 

There's plenty of boats looking for crew that can help you gain some confidence crewing in the stronger winds, and then I'm sure you would find help in taking your boat out.

[Herdy 0]

There is plenty of racing in Wellington. Check out http://www.rpnyc.org.nz/

 

This weekend we have the Nelson race. This is the central region version of the coastal classic. It is approx 120nm and can be an interesting and challenging race. This race is followed by the Nelson Regatta which is a great event that is growing every year. Have a look at http://www.nelsonregatta.co.nz/

 

People are really friendly and willing to help out. It should be very easy to get contacts.

 

Yes we race in some windier conditions. The biggest difference is that the air is alot more dense than Auckland. Therefore it hits harder for the same wind speed. A well set up and rigged yacht will not have any problems.

[wheels 543]

First off Ash, Seaview Marina is half the price of anything in Auckland and Marlborough for that matter and the Staff are friendly and excellent to deal with. So you would have a big saving there for starters.

As for wind, it is not really as bad as the reputation it gets. In general, It's not a lot different to Auckland. But Big Blows can be real big. But you don't go out in those and you have good shelter in the Marina.

Then you have across the Strait the Famous Marlborough Sounds and Girl, you will fall in love with the Sounds. There is only one other place that is as beautiful and that is Fiordland. Compared to Auckland, there are hardly any boats in the Sounds and even in the busiest part of summer, you can still find a Bay to be on your own in. And then you also have Able Tasman which is stunning also, but in a very different way.

Only down side with Wellington is the Water is colder and the Southerlies are Cold and Wet and you often have to wait for decent weather to get across the Strait, although that depends on time of year and how keen you are.

Oh and Yachties are far more friendlier down here, only in that it's a smaller place so you get to meet more people and because everyone uses moorings in the Sounds, you get to raft up and meet people. So many sailors in Auckland, yet really hard to get to meet them when you are out on the water up there.

To Sum up, ain't nothing to be worried about. It'll be different for sure, but I am sure you would love it.

[sow1ld 2]

Auckland for racing is unbeatable. The ssanz series, coastal, white island race, 3kings, auck-tauranga race nothing down this way to me gets close. We do have cook strait races but they are usually windier colder and wetter then anything up north and with less boats.

Wellington does have it's good days and the sounds are a slice of paradise just pick your days and tides wisely. The sounds are less populated than up north but colder and the gaps between gales are far less.

Maintaining a boat is cheaper and easier down because you can still work on them in the marina and on the hard stand. Expect sails and covers to get hammered. Berth rentals are less.

The wind and the big swells down here do get tiring but the sounds can make up for it. Mana and lowry Bay have some great racing and socializing for more normal boats. Port nic has the more intense and offshore racing.

[Scubash 0]

Very interesting.... maybe moving to Welly wouldn't be such a bad thing!

[PeteG 13]

Lived in Wellington for 7 years and loved it. Want to meet people - go join a yacht club!

Lots of racing styles from hard out to social with the various clubs.

Oh and then there is the Sounds - we really hate it -often there will be another boat in the same fantastic bay, so yes it gets really busy.

 

We do though appreciate all the neat racing and opportunities there are in Auckland and especially what SSANZ does. That just does not happen in Welly to the same extent.

But be assurred there are lots of opportunities for whatever you are into.

What opportunities Wellington offer are different, and that is why it is not called Auckland.

[Guest]

Hi Scubash

 

Wellington has a great deep harbour, awesome racing and great yacht clubs. RPNYC, Evans Bay, Lowry Bay all run racing programmes as does Mana. RPNYC has a more "hard out" sailing programme with an offshore racing across the Cook Strait as mentioned in the posts. Evans Bay and Lowry Bay also have great racing. We all participate in each other's racing from time to time. Newly formed Cook Strait Sailing Club runs racing when other yacht clubs aren't and complements their programmes. They also have an Easter Rally coming up across the Cook and having Bay of Many Coves as the destination. It is also social with bbqs and get togethers after racing.

 

Many of us are members of multiple yacht clubs. I'm a member of three - RPNYC, CSSC and Pelorus Boating Club. Pelorus has access to moorings in the Marlborough Sounds for a very decent membership fee of under $200 per year and definitely worth joining if you are to spend summer holidays cruising in the Sounds which most of us do. Waikawa and Mana Yacht Clubs also have access to moorings. It is a magnificent place and while the BOIs are pretty, Marlborough Sounds are something else and not crowded. As mentioned here, it is wonderful to be in a bay on your own with bird song, native bush cascading to the water and no one else in sight.

 

Having just recently gone out for a sail in a decent breeze in AKL harbor, the air is definitely warmer and the harbour was pretty. What struck me though is that the inner harbour for some reason and maybe because we were hooning didn't seem as wide and we were reaching a lot of the time. Welly harbour is pretty wide and there is lots of opportunity to have some decent down hill runs. Wellington is also pretty but the breeze has its extremes. Support the comment that when it is blowing, it blows hard so we don't go out. Wellington is definitely gustier due to its hills but that is part of the fun and challenge of racing on our harbour and it makes for wicked rides.

 

Support the comments that if you can sail in Wellington and cross the Cook Strait which is an adventure in itself, you can sail just about anywhere. The yachties are extremely friendly and helpful. We started sailing 8 years ago having learnt in the BOI. We have been hugely supported by members of RPNYC who always had time to show us how we could sail better and make us competitive. Members of all yacht clubs are always willing to help anyone who is new in town regardless of their abilities and you are sure to feel super welcome.