craigkoning
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Posts posted by craigkoning
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Just wondering. Is the problem more to do with the availability of parts, even just basic service items?
Absolutely this is an issue. However, you don't really need that many parts (aside from regular service items) if you just don't screw up the motor! I've spent a fair bit of time in a couple of workshops in the islands and had chats with owners (who are normally lending me their space to fix something on my boat).
They see the most ridiculous stuff.
Normally with such an idea, we just run a pilot program and see how it goes. Then we try get sponsorship, get some tools up there. Our 'Island Mechanics' are the only ones allowed to access the tools and if tools go missing then they have to make a formal request for replacements (it happens).
It's just an idea.
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Wow thanks all!
Yeah I met Shane actually. Is a lovely guy, owns Moorings and Tonga Beach Resort. I should actually reach out to him.
Deadline is coming a little close. Just purchased a lovely little sunburst dinghy for over there (trying to get another one so I can get two villages racing them). Maybe he can strap one to his deck. Shipping is over $800.
Yeah, transport around the islands is bottle-necked by a shortage of in service vessels. This is for a reason however.
We'd like to offer a free 2-stroke engine maintenance course in the Tongan islands next year. Another thing we found that was really asked for in the island communities. Things are going bang for silly reasons and with dire consequences.
I should start looking for sailors who'd volunteer their time to help me design a course I can teach.
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Hi all,
We are urgently looking for cargo space to Tonga for:
Medical Equipment (boxed, sealed, certified)A wooden sailing dinghy (for teaching kids to sail)
10xVHF radios (for each village to escalate emergencies)
We are a NZ charity that gives medical training and supplies to outer island villages (teach a man to fish ideology).
A sailor myself, I sailed to Tonga on my 30 foot wooden yacht and found that there were problems in these communities that we can solve.
Our boats have a full offshore kits, at least one trained medic, yet communities of 300 have nothing.
Help us help others. Any big boats who can strap a 12 foot dinghy down to their deck?
We've already been to Opua but are now looking last ditch for non-ICA boats going up.
Please get in touch with me
Craig KoningFounder
Floating Foundation
021 414762
craig@floatingfoundation.net -
When does this start? I'm old person sailing to Tonga soon. Hitching back mid June.
Keen to try some of this racing stuff. Love rope play. Getting all tied up on the bow.
I can definitely get some spinnakers to fill.
Ja? Ya? Click?
Yes. -
If you end up delaying a month I'll happily hop on board.
Currently crewing a 40' catamaran up to Tonga.
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Thom,
Did you find a ride mate. I'm certain there are a few yachts up here in Opua that are looking for crew otherwise Doug takes Seeka up to Tonga every year. He's a good captain, fairly chilled. Not sure you can expect a lesson in nautical sailing techniques (?) but you'd get the experience.
Most the boats are leaving in the next couple of weeks.
Best of luck mate,
Craig -
3A fridge running 60% of the time = approx 550Wh so would require about 90W solar panel to cover it.
Would buy a 120W in this case.I normally assume 6 hours light at about 70% of the panels capability.
In my opinion (as this whole reply is!) if you are running a fridge, you don't want to have to choose at some stage between warm beer or low voltage
Also: The independent Waeco fridges etc are actually real efficient. I have an inbuilt isotherm which could probably do with more insulation. I can't keep my volts up on a hot day with my 80W panel. -
Hey Captains!
You need crew! Seriously. Think how much easier it will be with a capable young man to help you out when the going gets tough!I'm an easy going, low stress, quick thinking and physically capable sailor available for a return trip to NZ in June.
Was skipper on a 30' sloop for five months last season and am very familiar with Tonga.
Currently crewing with Take Two, a 40' catamaran to meet Cat-1 requirements with a new cruising owner.
I'm starting a community project in Vava'u and should be completed by early June. A mid to late June departure would suit me.
Can leave from Fiji if needed but I will have to catch a boat that way first (shouldn't be an issue with many yachts making that leg in June).
Reason for sailing rather than flying: I have a fair bit of kit with me and I would love to get another crossing under my belt!
Don't worry. Most of that will be left in Tonga!
Can cook, can sail (not a racer however), can race a dinghy backwards pretty fast, have advanced sea survival cert, offshore medic cert and all the usuals.
I like long walks on the beach and playing hide and seek with sharks.
Please feel free to get in touch with questions or if you have any harebrained ideas on how to save the world.
I WILL BE ON PASSAGE FROM MAY 2ND TO MAY 10-12TH PLEASE TXT SATPHONE DURING THIS TIME.
Cheers,
Craig KoningNZ Mob: +64 21 414 762
Sat Phone: +877 0761 01112
Email: craig (at ) floating foundation (dot) net
Fun non-profit seeks chill captain for relaxed job in the Pacific
in Crew Finder
Posted
Hey Captains,,
Would you like a big of fun with great people for a good cause? We are looking for captains to come out and join our boat in the Pacific Islands as we do some cool things.
The vessel is mostly stationary and only moves to avoid weather or to relocate to new island groups.
Pretty much the job is just to relax and keep people safe. We are a volunteer operation of researchers working to understand the huge problems in our key reefs.
The areas of operations are the Ha'apai group in Tonga, Vava'u group in Tonga, Lau group in Fiji and around Lautoka a bit for chats and presentations.
You don't need to do the passages (more pay for those if you do) but we are looking for someone who wants to help a charity out on a private ship in the Islands and have a cruisy lifestyle for a few months.
Aboard the ship will be 14-18 great people from all over the world coming together to solve problems and do research. This will be our fourth year of operation in the Pacific and we have excellent safety systems and management. Mostly we are just doing dive and tender operations with the ship moving every week to two weeks to a new anchorage.
The boat is a great big reliable and strong steel vessel. She is 113 foot overall and very safe and fairly easy to operate.
I will be there to assist in all operations and know 2/3 of the island groups very well. The ship is going through a 3 month upgrade and checkup before the voyage this year.
Our pay isn't great for a captain but we hope will be enough to make this adventure fun and not financial suicide.
Experience is needed in the Pacific and on larger boats if possible. Engineering experience is also appreciated. Masters IV ticket or equivalent appreciated but not needed in lieu of experience and references.
Please let me know if interested.
Cheers,
Craig