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Through the eagle eyes of Josh Tucker, and the audacity/idiocy of the culprit, my stolen solar panel was spotted mounted on the pushpit of a small sailing vessel further up the Weiti River a couple of weeks ago. It had been disguised by painting it grey (terribly) but was definitely the one I had made. The guy lives aboard so we stalked him, got a look in his car which had gear of mine in it, and passed the info and photos on to the police. On Monday morning, police executed a search warrant on the vessel using Deodar. He was arrested and charged with the theft of my gear, is ou

Thanks for that. Francois Vivier designed Morbic 12. I have gone with Carbothane 133LH as a topcoat over Interprotect epoxy primer and the satin finish is a welcome relief from high gloss. Other positives with Carbothane is the recoating time is indefinite and it’s bloody damned hard as😀

first two fundamental rules of sailing. 1- Don’t scare the missus. 2- Don’t bag the volunteers.

Hell no! Then everyone would be out there in February and March when the weather is best and I'm out there. Leave as is so our anchorages aren't crowded. *Declaration of Self-Interest*

We’ve been really lucky on Carpe Diem with the people who have come through. Our other skipper is just 21 - she first joined the crew via a Facebook post when she was 19, and she now leads women’s series and women’s day out racing (I’m not even involved in those, they just happen). We also have a 14-year-old on board who’s already an amazing sailor. Even when racing was cancelled on Sunday, six of the crew turned up to do boat chores together, and afterwards we ended up at Squadron for a late lunch (after failing to get parking at Swashbucklers in the rain!). We used to race with 6 m

Nervous moments on the router table reducing the Navy Whaler oars by 300mm in length and shaping the new handles. They are nesting nicely now and the new mainsail just arrived all 7.8 sqm of it.

I was there. We were within VHF range to hear the Mayday off one of the boats. 2 closest boats stood by (and not that it would have helped, but interesting to hear one had a defib on board). From what I understand, both sailors were experienced, not paying beginners. Awful news to hear during a race, but damn good reminder re safety. I have never done a race where I was clipped on so often. It was windy, but not more than low 40s, so not too bad. But seas got very large and at times, very confused, so could have been easy to get thrown into a Chinese or the like. We had the helm washed of

Thanks for the heads up. Hope you find your stuff, or some karma sorts out the perpetrators. The river has been trouble free for a while now, so a shame to hear it has changed. There is always a bit of ebb and flow (excuse the pun). I know of two live aboards who aren't on the river currently, one who moved off permanently, and one who is on the hard currently doing maintenance. I know the one on the hard has on occasion spotlighted and challenged delinquents in the middle of the night pocking around moored boats in borrowed dinghies. I know there is mixed views about live aboards, b

The new neighbour, i'm sure we will be hearing a lot more about it. Chatting with the owners the basics are 2 tons, lift keel, cassette rudder, 3/4 ton waterballast per wing, over 4m wide... An awesome build, and great colour choice too

Last week my batteries died. I decided to stick with AGM. Got the exact same so just a few bolts and job done. Plus due to various improvements in batteries I gat 20% more capacity. Cost 1168dollars for around 500 Amp hours. But I used 1100 in reward points on my credit card. So cost 68 dollars. Then took the old ones to the scrap dealer and he gave me 78. I made a profit of 10 dollars on my new batteries!

Wow, quote of the year Andrew. Do you actually think we sit around with our hands in our pockets looking the other way? Remember we as a SSANZ committee are just enthusiastic sailors trying to juggle life, work, kids and putting on amazing events for you in what little spare time we have.

Hi Matt, The solution I came up with when I rebuilt my fridge is I cut a square flange from 1.2mm 430 stainless steel and embedded that in the top of the fridge that receives the lid. I then cut a similar square flange for the lid. I fitted a standard magnetic fridge seal to the flange on the lid. The lid is hinged and seals on all four sides with the magnetic seal. I had the magnetic seal made to fit so there are no joins in the seal: Seal-A-Fridge: 0800 36 77 99 www.sealafridge.co.nz Although the seal holds the lid closed, I retained the original latch so the lid is latched

Without wanting to shift this into an even more political area (mods!!!!) the situation is a result of residents voting with their short-term brain. If you oppose the rate increases that are required to continue services and to ensure that systems like sewage are consistently n+20% capacity, you have ipso facto agreed to the inevitable less than ideal outcomes. In Rodney, there has been 40 years of retirees and small farmers screaming about their limited means while they crosslease and subdivide their nest egg properties (generalisations, but not by much). Hence, the Mahurangi shitflow.

Yes, it is a shame that Matakana Oysters need to close. But, some would question the logic of trying to grow and sell filter feeders downstream from a major urban area. A bit like trying to run a tranquil monastery retreat on Quay St, then complaining there is too much noise and traffic. Asides from a failing wastewater system any urban area is going to produce large quantities of things filter feeders are going to suck up that are very bad for you. Road run-off for example. Including heavy metals from break pads. How much agricultural land is around and upstream of the Mahurangi now

My understanding is that a significant proportion of drowned males are found with their willies out of their pants. Boat in a nice safe anchorage. Possibly had a rhumbo or two, or perhaps a chardonnay on a nice summers evening. Went for a wee. Fell overboard and drowned. Most often at night, in the dark, at anchor. There is so many ways to die, it's not possible or practical eliminate all of them. I think the basic problem for boaties is several govt or local body agencies don't have anyone else to control, but they do have jurisdiction over regional waters. Hence why

We have been down this track before, "saving lives" is the catch all that bureaucrats use to justify rules like this. How many tender journeys between boat and shore have resulted in death. Very few I would imagine, noise in the data but it plays well among so called marine echo chambers. Lobbyists want to sell lifejackets, pearl clutchers want to save everyone and lawmakers want to be associated with "safety". More people drown in bathtubs let alone swimming pools or patrolled beaches. This is about passing another law to appear to be doing something and solving a non problem. I have sympa

I can assure you having previously been on the committee... that there is no hands in their pockets, looking the other way, pretending there was nothing they could do etc etc... Division cut offs / splits were regularly discussed (and passionately!)... but in a democratic system you need to have the numbers in support before making any changes. Just because something didn't change doesn't mean it wasn't discussed and debated. I think your post is poorly written putting a negative light on the committees of the past who all put in their time on a voluntary basis. Having said that It's always g

We didn't rescue them. Coastguard took care of that. They capsized right in front of us, so of course we were first on station, it's what anyone would of done. We dropped the jib, and did laps around them while they recovered their grab bag and got themselves together and we ran the comms to Auckland Maritime for them. Drifting away from land they weren't in any danger, and after a while they requested we stand down and continue racing. Lots of boats came to their aid, Explore Racing who was out North, leading their division they came down dropped jib and main. Flying boat ju

Speaking of the Barrier I just sailed there...via Youtube on my incredibly unpopular channel. (The real sail was over 2 years ago - I just found the footage while scrolling through my back up files this morning, so made a video) Apologies for Fred Drift. Looks like I will need breast augmentation, laser hair removal, wig, and transition drugs if I ever hope to fund my sailing trip to the Bahamas or anywhere else in the world beyond Cape Reinga the way it is going. BP is right.

Maybe, but we don't know. Despite widely circulating details of the individual and their home (distinctive boat they live on) across the media, there's been no indication as to why they are looking for her. Perhaps it's overdue parking tickets? Or anchoring in a banned anchoring area. The point I'm making is that sometimes people just want to be left alone. And, there is a great irony. Assuming the authorities do have concerns for her mental health and wellbeing, the irony being that it is damn near impossible to access mental health services in this country. Particularly f

I can't see how the proposed facility will spoil the area. The actual site to be developed is all above current drying height, so of no use to yachties. The outer areas of the Bay are a good anchorage for yachts, and would remain so. And hardly a surprise that the normal groups are against it, they always are unless there is a slice of profit or hefty consultancy fee going their way. Whether it's viable, well going by the number of empty berths at the new Waiheke marina, probably not.

Last week I attended the wonderful Paul Whiting Tribute in Auckland. I mentioned to Penny Whiting that I am the administrator for the Whiting 29 website and I was keen to build up an online register of Whiting 29's. She then presented me with this massive book which contains historical documentation and photos on every Whiting 29 ever built. What a find! I have now digitised all the pages and uploaded it to our website for all to enjoy: www.whiting29.org Regards, Geoff

Suddenly your user name makes sense

Talk to boat haulage, if you were a back load you may be surprised at how affordable a truck is. Once you look at time, buying all the extra crap we all reccomend, getting ready to sail? Just a thought?

Still got to rig her but I think it’s time to go for a putter…

Looking at the rudder setup I would think that the blades would need to be all the way down to have the correct balance with enough blade forward of the rudders pivot point. Half rudder would make most of the blade being behind the pivot point and a huge load on the helm. Hard to tell from the photos but it looks like the centreboards have some angle aft? Again the centreboard depth makes a big difference as you need the centre of effort/lateral resistance of the boat to be in the right place in relation to the sail plan and not enough centreboard blade makes the rudder work as the latera

There is a really interesting map on this page that shows where it has and hasn't been found. It must need updating as none of the new BOI locations are included. https://www.marinepests.nz/interactive-caulerpa-map Interesting that it is not in the popular anchorages put more in the high current areas. Also interesting that the top of Coromandel and bottom of great barrier have it everywhere. Seems like an easy spot for it to spread via currents to all of the gulf.

Final coat will going on today…

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/crime/swimmers-bust-alleged-poachers-at-goat-island-marine-reserve-in-leigh-north-auckland/ upshot is one of the swimmers got a message onto Leigh chat and the boat was filmed at Leigh harbour ramp and then stopped at Matakana by a park ranger and occupants ticketed. Well done swimming club,residents, lab staff and doc! Ballsy effort on the guy/gal that boarded and chucked their gear and catch overboard.

Well, if you're a cruising yachtie, pretty much zero?

I'm not gonna bite BP, don't really care. 1 thing I will throw out there is while we are constantly under attack by; Council's, (removing facilities, price increases etc.) Marina Owners (Price gouging) Fisheries (no take areas that allow commercial fishing) & everyone else that views boaties as rich pr*cks ripe for the plucking, we just make it easier by dividing up all the people who love & utilise the ocean as a playground into multiple groups. Maybe recognise our common interests, and stick together as a decent size advocacy group? Just a thought

That sounds great in theory, but in practice, it turns into a flying spaghetti monster. And it is not about cost, although that is a factor. The issue is compliance. Can you tell me where you can haul a boat out and break it down? Will Pier 21 do it? Gulf Harbour? Last I heard it was a struggle to get those places to haul a boat just to do the antifoul. If you don't have insurance, is there anywhere that will haul you out? let alone then allow you to smash the boat to bits there? Have you ever tried finding a dump truck operator to take a smashed boat to a landfill? It

Bit of pseudo-legal going on in that article. Person in authority makes statement that sounds like it is mandatory for all boats to have insurance. There isn't any legal requirement to have insurance. Especially not 'wreck insurance'. I've never heard of it until that article. It is correct that you have to pay to have a wreck of yours removed from the environment. But how you manage that is up to you. You could just pay cash if you wanted. Or do it yourself. I've helped two owners of wrecked boats do it themselves. Just because people don't have insurance doesn't mean they

You know, I have been thinking about your post LBD - and it did give me a chuckle. However.... I have been lucky enough to be born in a western nation, I have worked my butt off for 40 years, I have no children (none that I know of 😆 ), no dependents (though I do help look after my elderly parents), no wifey (not through trying but sailing dreams and landlubber Kiwi gals not a good mix!) and a couple months back I went to a funeral for a lady boss of mine for many years, who retired some years ago now. During the funeral, her husband died of a heart attack during the funeral service - he

she gone! off to Tampa, Florida, to live her best life in the Gulf of Mexico. goodbye to the hardest, coolest, fastest, weirdest project I've ever had. 💚💚💚🌲🐺 awoooo!!

Panmure bridge...well back in 1971 we dropped the new rig into Roulette 2 off the side of the bridge.

Everyone I have spoken to answered in Polish

Done. You can see freezer temp circled in red. Now got to get the eutectic fluid to be solid frozen at about -21....

its yet another example of unintended consequences. People wear their nice life jacket in dinghy when not needed. It gets wet, maybe it gets stolen ashore. Then not worn on way home or to next bay, when it otherwise might have been, or should be. I wear a LJ a LOT when sailing and always when shorthanded. They are good. But I dont (and wont) put my nice LJ on with my AIS inside and PLB strapped on, to go 100m to beach or the boat next door. In simple terms its more than a dumb rule. If it were actually enforced, i posit it makes boating more unsafe for some people.

Every time we come across dolphins in the bay (usually somewhere around Tapeka/Roberton) I slow down and call out "go away" or "will you please stop playing in my bow wave" but they just dont take any notice. Then one or two Explore tour boats come racing in, always on the plane, and follow the dolphins around for the next twent minutes or so. This usually gives us a chance to get away from the rule-breaking situation

In-fes-tim-inal, adj, an infestation of extremely small battery problems. See: extrarodentially and infesterminal

What BP says, I will add if you are planning on solo, you will be knackered by the time you hit Cape Reinga and over the top you have tides, currents and lots of marine traffic to keep an eye on. AIS would really take some pressure off in a solo situation but it is an investment. Have you just bought the boat? Does it have an inboard engine, if it has sat for a while you def want to look at the fuel, going off shore is gonna stir up the fuel tank, carry spare filters You will really have to pick a good weather window, getting the snot kicked out of you solo in a 30 ft boat will

A decent feed today isn’t what it was even 10 or 15 yrs ago. Because you have fishing skills to can still catch them but the gross breeders are, ahh, rare. We have got used to having to work for a plateful. And baking the whole fish instead of filleting. Went to port Jackson recently, had to dive and chum with kina to get a response. Ended up with dinner, but I should have just shot a couple or Parore while I was collecting kina. Would have been a lot easier. I don’t spear much any more, and definitely not species that are slow breeders like red moki. ( Who mate for life and practically swim

It would be beneficial to add a with/without weed option to the spreadsheet as well.

if the rudders are too heavy for steering they might need kicking under more to create more balance on the leading edge

We were too, believe me! Chuffed as heck to have the overall win in leg 1 and 3. RaceTrack shows consistent performance on all 3 legs, so not a lot more we could have done. 1st on line in div 3 for all three too (did I mention we are just a little chuffed?). Not bad for a Dacron pinhead main that was built by Doyle in 2004 for The Bondi Tram!

Fiona Heenan’s 600km solo sail for Guinness record and charity Six hundred kilometres is a long way to sail a tiny boat with scarcely little legroom. Still, 57-year-old yachtswoman Fiona Heenan is giving it a go for a chance at a Guinness world record and to raise funds for her favourite charity Sailability. The Irish-born former cruising yacht instructor has always been a keen adventurer. In the 30 years she has lived in New Zealand, she has tramped extensively and cycled from one end of the country to the other. Her quest to claim the world honour of longest single-handed dist

This. I wouldn't read too much into very few people going out with a 35 knot forecast.

Ok, I couldn't get it to start but I got a fair bit of water out and have got diesel at the injectors. I only had about 2l of clean diesel ( cabin heater, left over from winter). I'll get some more in the morning and persevere.

Funny noises that come and go with boat movements and swells are almost always a consequence of resilient mounts flexing. This became more prevalent with the introduction of resilient engine mounts around the 80s onwards. You may have the alignment correct stationary, but under load or as the boat pitches and rolls with "G" forces in different directions, the mounts flex and the drivelive goes out of alignment. A further complication is a down angle gearbox... under prop thrust, the forces are trying to lift the rear of the engine, even when motoring in flat calm water. An