Chewing Gum

Yes fire at sea much bigger risk than anything else. We have a smoke alarm on board up forward (away from galley) but after this might try fitting another in the engine space - hopefully it will not false alarm.

I think you need to consider the probabilities of needing any of these devices. In the hauraki gulf probably never in a well found vessel. Same for lifejackets use them in high risk times eg crossing bars or near the coast in bad weather ie use some common sense. Therefore the way I operate is to have a couple of epirbs on board, clip on in bad weather and never bother with the VHF on because I can't stand the racket and I go sailing for some peace. I have done this for nigh on 40years including a lot of commercial time without a scare so to my mind the very minor risk is way worth it. If y

I am very disappointed in Barker. It was time or him to step down, he had his fair share of attempts to win the cup without success. If he was really interested in NZ winning the cup back he would have used his considerable experience to help NZ bring the cup back at the next regatta. Ego got in the way ? He may not have seen eye to eye with some of the team but for the greater good he should have stood by them.

We have a couple of day/nights. They are now about 10 years old and I have just replaced the batteries for the first time. The motors are still going but are a little worn. Not bad for 10 years of continual running. I have bought some spare motors off ebay. The vents are not cheap to buy but are reliable. I bought mine from the US at Westmarine http://www.westmarine.com/buy/nicro-ventilation--day-night-plus-solar-vents--P012_363_001_516

We rode our mountain bikes along the beach up to Whangape from Mitimiti some time ago. Looking down on that bar from up above there is no way I would attempt it in anything drawing over say 1.5m. By comparison the Kaipara bar is a doddle as long as the swell is less than 2m of course. Good one to chalk up Steve. Did you do the Fiordland trip ?

Raven 31s nice little boats - not sure about offshore tho.

Have a look at the Predictwind site for weather and internet connection

White satin formica is good

I have done both coasts - the west twice and my preference is the west although last time we had a dream run up the east coast. I think it is the Wairarapa reputation that concerns me most. Having said that either way is ok and totally dependant on the weather at the time. New Plymouth is ok except in fresh northerlies. The small sheltered area is full of moorings and we anchored among them. if I went back there I would just pick up a mooring as there appear to be quite a few empty ones. I think the Harbour Board wont allocate them because of liability issues. Manukau would also be ok in up

We confirmed our keel bolts were monel by cutting a piece off the top above the nut and getting it tested. As far as I am aware corrosion is not an issue with monel. Our bolts would be original ie 32 years old. I remember the Cav32 we had previously was fitted with monel bolts also. We did it ourselves by drilling the keel and then using a gas axe to cut slots in the side for the lower nuts and washers. That boat has been around the world and is now back in Asia somewhere.

we use altex no5 rolled on and it easily lasts 2 years and probably 3 as long as you dont use a waterblaster on it.

have to agree there - used to have it below but much more use and safer with plotter at the helm

I still like our lowrance 7in plotter /sounder. It is reliable even though often drowned in salt spray. Ok it wasn't cheap but it has been good value with about 5 years of use so far. The fact that it has depth and is connected to ships power so no charging is a plus. We have it at the helm and able to swivel 180 so we can still see it in the cockpit when on autopilot. We do have a laptop system as backup and also a Garmin handheld.

I like my ally bottles. Much lighter to carry around and don't rust ie maintenance free. They are expensive though.

I am with Squid. I haven't read all the posts but we have 42fter which is great but cost us $200k and now owes us $400k and I did a lot myself. Just to antifoul every second year you are looking at $2000-3000 and things such as mooring fees , haulout , rigging is expensive for that size of boat. it is also a lot of boat to handle short handed. Bigger is not necessarily more seaworthy either in fact I think smaller boats are probably stronger because of the scale - take Swirly World only 17ft I think and has been right around NZ and twice across the Tasman. I would go the Cav 32 - we had one a