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Jon

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Posts posted by Jon

    Long coastal and offshore race fleets

    in RaceTalk

    Posted

    And they wonder why they can't get fleets

    Sometimes you have to commit to things and even invest to make them grow

    Don't think I'm just knocking here as I'm the RO for the only offshore race in NZ in 2017, sure it starts and finishes in Alk but if you haven't done the RNI you may think it's easier than sailing offshore

    White Island

    in MarineTalk

    Posted

    Raced around it 4 times now

    Most times there have been boats anchored either just north or south of NE point which has been the widward side but they were in flat water and no wind in close

    The heat coming off it defiantly creates its own micro climate, often no wind up to a mile out, I wouldn't worry about the Sulfur unless it's actually erupting, but equally I wouldn't anchor downwind from the crater either

    Next time I go it will be to fish, there is always lots of sea life about.

    Dragging/Anchor unset etiquette

    in MarineTalk

    Posted

    Dropping your anchor between two boats and hanging back is a a good rule in tight anchorages

    I prefer to cockpit the boat in front, effectively drop your anchor about a boat length from the boat you wish to hang behind, but something else we always try to do is anchor with similar boats eg yachts with yachts etc as launches will often hang to a light breeze but yachts will hang to the tide in these conditions

    Another thing is not just type but size, we are 52' so try to anchor out with the larger yachts not right in close but then often just on dark you will get a 30ish ft launch arrive and anchor out between two yachts in 15m of water or more, then they give you dirty looks as we swing in a bigger arc than then,wtf

    Fibreglassing help

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Oh dude........ Been there, still doing that.

     

    I'm glad to see I'm knot the only knut job out there :)

    Yes KM but Snail is going to make the start line for the RNI

    Will you make the solo T ?

    Cabin Heaters

    in MarineTalk

    Posted

    Go diesel BP

    I sailed a 66'er down from Tonga a couple of years ago with one

    We fired it up about two days out and warmed the boat really well

    Safer,drier and you already carry lots of the correct fuel that's easy to get re filled

    Just my thoughts

    Not that I've ever used a lpg heater but have had a few dodgy times with gas califonts barking at me when lighting them.

    Batteries.

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    Immm

    Maybe ours was f-ed as there was a voltage drop or .3 volts across it

    Doesn't sound much but that's a big part of your charge when you think that 12.8 is a fully charged battery and 11.8 is flat

    Batteries.

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    VSR's are a good simple way of connecting batteries for charging but you are pushing ergs through a diode and this reduces the flow to your house batteries.

    On my last yacht I setup a solenoid that connected the batteries, it was powered off a spare terminal on the alternator that only livened up once the alternator was up to speed so therefore didn't overload the engine on startup

    I also feed the freezer compressor and a small bilge fan off the same feed

     

    That way you didn't need to remember to turn it on or more importantly to turn it off if you go for a manual system

    Solar setup

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    I'd go the 100w as they never work 100% and the controller just dumps any excess.

    The Flexi panels look good but at $800 for a 100w approx / $8 per watt or $160 for 100w solid panel at $1.60 per watt

    I've had a 60watt solid panel for 5 years on my last yacht and just split some small tubing to stop it marking the boat and a bungy on each corner, it stayed on the cabin top unless we were racing then in stayed in the car at the marina or for club racing we just put on a quarter berth.

     

    I'd find it hard to justify the flexible ones but I think I paid probably close to the $800 for the 60w and controller back then so the flexible will drop in time but the thing is they are made only for the leisure industry.

     

    http://www.aasolar.co.nz/Solar%20output%20chart.jpg

    Best Cruising Guides South Pacific

    in MarineTalk

    Posted

    Ive been using online guides like noonsite and cruisers forum plus Wikipedia

    Read them prior to departure and then copy and paste to notes on my iPad so I've got it off line to check and reread on approach

    Plus the user info on navionics is often useful as well, just don't rely on one source as info can be out of date but so are cruising guides once they are printed also, example below

     

     

    Tonga - Formalities

    Clearance

    The Q flag must be flown. The captain should contact the Harbour Master or Customs on arrival (prior to docking/mooring), who will give instructions where to berth for clearing in and may or may not board the yacht. One must present the outward clearance from the last port.

    You will be boarded by Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Health.

    You must clear in and out of each island group if you plan to travel within Tonga – this is known as a domestic check in/check out and you will need a Local Movement Report (Small Craft) issued by customs for each island group. See each island group for details.

    See the chosen Port of Entry for specific clearance information for that port.

    In general in Tonga, clearance will take quite some time, so be patient and polite.

    See Fees for clearance below.

    Last updated September 2014.

    Immigration

    A free 30 day Visa is granted upon entry for the following nationalities, and a second visa for 6 months can be purchased for $69TOP per month.

    Citizens from The EU, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands, Dominica, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia (New Caledonia, Tahiti, Wallis & Futuna), Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Slovakia, Slovenia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lusia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Switzerland, The Bahamas, Tokelau, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United States of America, Vanuatu.

    All other visitors require a visa in advance.

    Applications for visa extensions can be made at the Immigration Departments in Neiafu, Ha’apai, Nuku'alofa, Niu’topatpu (tel:+676 26969 or +676 26970; fax: +676 26971; e-mail: visatonga@gmail.com).

    Note: It is necessary to have a valid visa at all times, so ensure it does not expire when moving between island groups. A fine of $1150TOP will be charged for having an out of date visa.

    Last updated September 2014.

    Customs

    Firearms must be declared on arrival and will be held in custody ashore until departure.

    Fresh produce may be confiscated. Garbage must be disposed of officially on arrival.

    Yachts may remain in Tonga for up to 12 months, provided the necessary arrangements have been made with Customs. A small daily fee is charged for boats left unattended.

    Equipment sent to vessels in transit may be imported free of duty. Be aware goods will come into Nuku’alofu and then you have to pay courier fees to get it to your port of choice. The local airline will fly equipment up for $4.50 a kg. (it may be cheaper to pick it up).

    Last updated September 2014.

    Documents

    Local Movement Report for cruising within Tonga

    Day sailing within the island groups is not restricted, but a Local Movement Report (Small Craft) known locally as a ‘domestic check-in, check-out’ is required when moving between groups served by customs offices.

    Any harbour dues should be paid prior to visiting customs, as the receipt needs to be shown to obtain the Local Movement Report.

    On arrival at the next island group, one must contact customs on arrival.

    When travelling between Nuku'alofa and Vava'u, or vice versa, one can request that the Local Movement Report includes Ha'apai if intending to stop in that island group.

    Last updated September 2014.

    Fees

    Port fees for the Kingdom of Tonga (Port of refuge, Neiafu, Vava'u) 2014 (fees quoted in local Tongan dollars).

    Customs

    During working hours, free

    Overtime $20 per hour

    Quarantine

    Clearance fee per boat $28.50

    Rubbish 0,40 per kg

    Overtime $20 per hour

    Immigration

    A free 30 day Visa is granted upon entry and a second visa for 6 months can be purchased for $69 per month.

    Health

    $100

    Overtime $20 per hour

    Port Control

    On departure harbour dues must be paid - Vava'u charge 0.45c per gross tonne per month, Nuku’alofa charges $2.40 per gross tonne per month, Ha'apai no charges.

    Overtime $20 per hour

    Last updated September 2014.

    Restrictions

    Social Customs:

    Anyone appearing in public without a shirt (and ladies covered from shoulder to below the knee) will risk being fined.

    Dress code is very strict, as is Sunday observance, when no work (even on your own boat), sporting or other strenuous activities are allowed. Neither should laundry be hung out to dry.

    Hats should never be worn either in church, or in the presence of a person in authority or someone to whom you wish to show respect.

    Displaying anger or frustration is considered very bad form in Tonga.

    Note: Swimming with whales is ILLEGAL from a private yacht!

    Any swimming with whales is illegal UNLESS with a licenced operator. Fines are becoming larger and your Visa may be cancelled or your vessel could be detained. This has happened and visas have been cancelled with a yacht having to leave immediately. Rather go with a professional who knows how to approach whales. Don’t let yachties get a bad reputation.

    Don’t harass whales: a collision at sea WILL ruin your entire day!

    Marine Reserves: There are some underwater sites of particular beauty and these have been designated as marine reserves. These reserves are for viewing only, collection of shells or marine life is prohibited and anchoring is not permitted near or in the giant clam reserves.

    There are seven marine and coastal reserves around Tongatapu: Hakaumamato Reef, Pangaimotu Reef, Malinoa Island and Reef, Ha'atafu Beach, Monuafe Island and Reef, Mounu Reef Giant Clam Reserve (northwest of the yacht harbour) and Muihopohoponga Coastal Reserve on Niutoua.

    Three reserves are proposed for Vava'u: the wreck of Clan McWilliam in Neiafu harbour, the coral gardens between Nuapapu and Vaketeitu, the Giant Clam Reserves in Hunga Lagoon, Neiafu Harbour and off Ano Beach. Giant clams are an endangered species and those tagged with a number printed on the shell or an aluminium tag should not be disturbed even outside of the reserves. Visitors are requested to show restraint in collecting other shells, by taking dead shells or buying them and limiting the number taken to one or two of each species. Over-collection of Triton shells has led to an increase in crown of thorns starfish which in abundance can destroy the reef; and visitors are urged not to buy or collect tritons.

    Waste Disposal: Throwing rubbish into the harbour or waters of Tonga is forbidden. As there are no refuse containers on the out islands, visitors are expected to carry all rubbish with them on board and dispose of it in one of the refuse containers in Faua harbour, on the wharf at Neiafu, or at the Moorings Base.

    Last updated September 2014.

    Pets

    Fast Mount

    in TechTalk

    Posted

    No you don't have to have floorboards for any Cat, but if you do the following applies.

    The rule is all objects that could cause injury in an inversion incident must be secured or words to this effect

    Marshall Law Ross 40, 2 handed build up.

    in RaceTalk

    Posted

    All this Ross 40 trash talk makes me want to go and buy the old JJ and give her a big birthday. Mind you, whilst I could possibly afford the work required on JJ, I couldn't scratch the surface on what would be required for the old crew...

    Look forward to the RNI, what are they using for trackers? YB?

    Yes YB trackers all the way, just finalising the deal now, 10min pings updated every 30min

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