Zozza

BP you have probably been living aboard and sailing almost as long as I have been alive (well not quite, but you know what I mean).... this the worst summer in Auckland / Northland that you can remember?

Something to watch during this weekend as looks like won't be much sailing going on with the impending bad weather

Not wanting any political sh*tfights here -- but just want to highlight that Hipkins has made a good choice in ditching this ridiculous mandate. Good news for those yachties and boaties that make regular use of outboard motors, as any increase in the amount of biofuel in petrol, is not good for modern four stroke motors. Excellent.

So....purely online charts BP?

This is Kevin Mc's boat? - a regular on the crew forums...sad to hear he has taken a turn...hope things improve for him. Stick it on your driveway with a cradle from Boat Haulage at $2 per day....

Yes, it is ridiculous. La Nina is the main culprit from what I have read, with a few other factors such as the big high which has sat out in the eastern pacific since Christmas, and stops all the lows passing over NZ quickly.... however, the outlook long term is for La Nina to eventually fade away this year with a return of El Nino on the cards....but who really knows

For the Solbian solar panels on the pilothouse, I requested the option of the junction box under the panel. The skinny panels on the side deck, made by an outfit in Sweden called Sunbeam, the junction box comes underneath as a matter of course. Be aware - non chinese panels like I have are not cheap. I spent over $3K+ on the panels all up

Oh dear....What happened waikiore...or is it still to raw to talk about?

Not wanting to start a political sh*t fight on global warming, but I have always felt coastal erosion is way more an immediate threat than greenhouse gasses when it comes to where you choose to live..... I mean, they long ago stopped building on those chalky cliffs in UK (Dover) and on the UK East Coast because the sea is slowing reclaiming those cliffs through natural erosion...why would NZ coast cliff areas would be any different..

Three of our downstairs rooms flooded. Two rooms now cleaned out / drained, one to go today, but the forecast heavy rain next couple days has me on edge. My spare anchors are not supposed to see water if they are not on the boat. Outside house was a torrent of biblical proportions. My smaller boat safe in Gulf Harbour Marina My bigger boat remained safe in cradle on the driveway -- glad I had it on concrete not a grass area of the property Overall, never seen anything like it what happened Friday

Holy sh*t. What mooring field are you in ?

Bring out the cards or the monopoly set

Thanks, that is motivation to get the wind vane up and running

@9.25 you can see I have an electric auto pilot operating, but frankly in Tiri channel, which was a little nasty, I preferred to helm for that period anyway

I have one, (Windpilot) and been meaning to set up the pulleys and lines

It aint looking good.

I've posted a Youtube vid of my sail back from Barrier to Whangaparaoa. May be of interest to anyone wondering what the heck the junk rig is all about... I did not push the boat hard but still made good progress under reduced sail, and unfortunately my iPhone ran outa battery just before I entered Tiri passage, and sheesh it was a nasty little **cker yesterday was Tiri channel...so probably good that I was concentrating on helming rather than effing about trying to film

Heading back to Whangaparaoa tomorrow. Easterlies start again tomorrow, and all the models, including MetService are predicting days and days on end of them building to 20 knots plus and remaining in that East / Nor East quadrant. Tomorrow a bit less at 15-20. So, not the gale force of a couple weeks back, but strong enough. Tomorrow looks the best day for me to scoot back.

I know many of you have been before, but this is my first visit. Surprising they have 4 & 5G coverage out here, so with my morning coffee thought I would share a few photos... Only downer, my infatalbe has sprung a few leaks so getting to shore a challenge. Nevertheless the peace, tranquility and beauty at anchor is more than enough...

Hey Boobs, bloody awesome! That is indeed me on Pango (named after the Maori word for the colour black -- as in the hull colour). Yeah I am contemplating naffing off in a day or two for a couple weeks mini-cruise now that (touch wood) the weather looks reasonably settled for the next 10 days....it's either that or continue grinding away on the refurbishment of my new (but old) boat....sailing might just win out

A bit more detail: She is a much modified Contessa 26 using some of the ideas Roger Taylor used on ’Mingming’ A massive overall transformation was initially done in 2017/18 then a further upgrade in 2020/21, including hull/deck joint, and tasteful pilothouse (which you can stand up in length of the cabin if you are 6’ or under). No expense spared - I got professionals in to do most of the work during both refits. Sail (cambered panels ) by Paul Thompson (2018) Electrics (recently overhauled and improved by Paul Thompson) include a fri

My junk rigged Contessa 26 is for sale It is hard to justify owning two boats ( also own a 28 footer), so I am resigned to this summer being my last aboard my 26 footer Genuine inquiries only - for a good basic overview of junk rig, refer: 'Junk Rig for beginners' See video:

I heard there is an extra-tropical’ cyclone potentially die to hit North Island next week….

Still blowing here at Kawau and it is raining, but the rain is not yet tropical/biblical..

Been anchored in Kawau since NY day. Been blowing old boots and stronger boot blowing predicted tomorrow. As there is further boot blowing bonkers weather predicted next week, I may run back to GH Fri or Sat and wait for it to blow through…summer is bound to start again sometime…