TeMPuS

I have sailed from Auckland to Marlborough in Sept 2011 in our yacht, and circumnavigated the north island (clockwise) at Christmas this year starting from Marlborough Sounds. Happy to give any advice you specifically want, and happy for you to PM me. Have stopped all sorts of places along the way and worked out pretty quickly where is comfortable and whats not. As per island time, what sort of boat and size?, how many crew have you got? have you got a timeframe to complete the trip?

Thanks for the advice. In answer to the last question, yes I am coming back to Marlborough so will do the west coast on way home. I might make provision to take the east coast route up north unless we are going to get a good weather window that will allow a West Coast trip. I have done the east coast before from AKL to Wellington so not bothered to much about seeing it again and it adds another 170nm which sucks.

Hi all, its been a while since I have been active on here but planning a trip at Christmas time from Havelock (Marlbrough) to Bay of Islands. Looking at dropping the dock lines about 20th Dec and heading around the top of the North Island before turning SW to BOI via Whangaroa Harbour and Cavalli Islands. Just looking for any advice for that time of the year, prevailing wind directions? anywhere to shelter enroute if the weather kicks up rough. The boat is 44ft solid bluewater cruiser, have been through plenty of bad weather including 2x crossings of Cook in 50+kn with 6+ meter seas. Than