[Draft of Raven 31?]

Have you thought about a Lotus 9.2. Just as much volume and a little more performance.

[Fire at Pine Harbor]

Yes it sure is easy with small kids like his. When he was little him and his sister were dragged all over the northland coast and Barrier in a Raven 26.

[Fire at Pine Harbor]

1 hour ago, Young Entertainer said:

whats the boat chariot?  i think the actual damage was restricted to boats fairly close,  by 5.30pm only D pier was closed and all the rest open.  Marina sent out an email last night to say all directly effected boat owners had been contacted and other boats on A-D should visit and potentially need to wash any soot off.  The breeze direction did pretty much mean smoke only blew over the end few boats on the first four piers so only a few would need a wash 

Boat name is Mystras. I'll whisper this, it's a small Riv. Just had a call from him. Says the N/west breeze saved him as he is just about directly opposite.

[Fire at Pine Harbor]

Looks like D pier. Our son has his boat on E pier about the same distance out. Haven't heard from him so must be all right. Think he was in Rockie bay a couple of weeks ago with you Young Entertainer.

[Northern Triangle race]

S the Best was a good fast cruiser years ago when I used to crew on it. That was when Garry Best owned it and no he didn't change the name, but it was one of the reasons he bought it.

[Yanmar Start button]

Had a similar thing years ago on a 25hp Isuzu instillation on our Cav 32. Was voltage drop from the battery. Previous owner said it had always done it. Change to heavier cable and never happened again.

[What would you do?]

+1. Never had a problem in Whiti marina. Maybe the dog owners know they are being watched by the apartment residents.

[This Weekend's Achievements]

And the design is?

[Cannot tighten tiller to rudder shaft]

Had a similar thing on my Cav 32 and the pinch bolt had sheared. Had to drill it out and replace. Couldn't figure out why I had so much play all of a sudden.

Was an easy fix.

[Leatherback turtles... how often are they seen]

We saw one just south of Kawau a few years ago.

[Looking for recommendations for a 30 - 40 ft liveaboard keeler]

Cheap boats don't usually end up being cheap boats. Agree, buy the best you can afford.

[What would you do?]

I'm sick of all the dog owners taking dogs onto Great Mercury Island when it is well sign posted that dogs are not permitted. 

Went ashore on Sunday, only about five boats there and it was like a bloody dog pound, even had a boxer try and get into our dingy before we got out.

I notice they don't have the balls to take their dogs ashore at Parapara bay or White Beach in full view of the Island staff. 

Would hate trespass signs go up on all the beaches just because of all dog owners thinking they are special. A little respect for the  island owners request would not go amiss.

[Looking for recommendations for a 30 - 40 ft liveaboard keeler]

Very hard to get a good Chico, Cav32 or Lotus 9.2 for $20k

[Panmure 2 Handed # Legged Race]

Have done this race several times and always an awesome weekend. Sunday morning return race can be a bit tough sometimes. Going back a few years all boats were given a bottle of rum and a bottle of Coke, both with no tops on at the Saturday night results party.

[Interested in Raven 31 or a Noelex 30]

Those 2 designs are chalk and cheese.

[Bit of weather heading our way?]

Surge into Whitianga last night has moved some of the fairway bouys into the harbour and some out of the harbour. All channel bouys to the marina are gone. They are now up harbour amongst the moored boats. Probably wrapped around the moorings. What a mess.

Big swell at the moment and tide very high considering that it is nearly low water.

Will give the harbour master something to do.

[Bit of weather heading our way?]

Was in Samoa in 1990 when cyclone Val hit. Radio warnings were for phenomenal seas and try to preserve human life. Sort of puts a different perspective on things. Was glad to get home.

Went away on the boat for a week or so when I got back. Had 25/35 kn on the way home. Had to tell the wife it was only a gentle breeze. That didn't go down too well.

[A few days in Whangaruru]

Have never gone north without stopping at Whangaruru.

[What would you do?]

15 minutes ago, Norwester said:

Dogs should be allowed ashore if they are on a leash. I take my dog everywhere on the boat. Usually all the parks have walking trails.

Great Mercury is privately owned so should be up to the owners to dictate conditions. Dickheads end up ruining it for everyone. 

[Bit of weather heading our way?]

5m for Mercury Bay on Sunday according to Met Service.

[Bit of weather heading our way?]

Metvuw shows it making direct hit on the North Island East coast.

[Bit of weather heading our way?]

Looks like we may get a bit of a blow this weekend. 3 to 4 m swell predicted for Mercury Bay. Just as well I got plenty of fish on Monday.

[storing paper charts on board - whats your method?]

Just use plastic folders as IT does but store in purpose built chart storage rack.

[What would you do?]

Had the same thing a week or so ago at Great Merc. Turkey turns up in big new gin palace, slides tender out of stern locker , puts dog in dinghy and takes it ashore for a stroll and crap. This is at a crowded Peachgrove bay. Was going to give him a Billy Graham but he must have seen the way I was eyeballing him and gave me a wide berth on the way back out. Not long after he picked up the pick and left. A....hole.

[Trouble cleating on Tasman 20 due to high winches!]

No need for the cleats. Use the top of the winch drum, that's what it's designed for.