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Im guessing that you need to go into a Marina or Q Dock to clear customs and Bio Security so insurance is a legal requirement for that?

Weiti River. The current was ripping.

We were also hit on our mooring by another boat that came loose and sustained some damage. Quite a few boats here with damage. To be honest it was terrifying and very very close to catastrophic for us and many boats around us. We had an H28 wrapped around our bow and slowly going under the boat. I cant believe our mooring held. Luckily the incoming tide slowed down the current after a few hours otherwise it would have likely been much worse. Closest I have ever come to losing my boat I think.

I think I saw you out there on Saturday near gulf harbour. Boat looked good and was sailing fast. Managed to get a few photos.

On all of our bigger cruising boats we have had the pole stored on the mast and was very happy with it. But those were bigger boats with long and heavy poles. You need a track up the mast same length as your spinnaker pole to use that system as tbe pole butt end needs to be pulled up so it's bloody expensive. I think it's unnecessary on any boat under about 42ft. Great for making kids swings though!

West coast for me as well. Wait for a weather window in the Bay of islands or whangaroa and go from there.

Pretty nice up here.

The rain has finally stopped for us in the far north. Even a few patches of blue sky appearing. Making the most of the fine spell and departed Mangonui heading to Matai bay and onto the KariKari peninsula. Hopefully the kids can get some beach time and surfing after 5 days of wind and rain. Still keeping a close eye on this next storm but the far north seems to get a fair bit less of it.

Full glass for us up here in Whangaroa now. Heading further north tomorrow.

We are up at Whangaroa. Not too bad up here. A few puffs and plenty of rain but well manageable and has eased right off now. We decided to break up the 5 boat raft up just to be safe and had 18 people on board for dinner and a movie last night. Raft up image from New years and the other one out the back of the boat this evening.

Sold it about 6 months ago. She was a great boat but after a wet windy Easter cruise and being stuck inside a 35ft race boat with 3 boys we decided to stretch ourselves and get a proper cruiser again. Brought this one into NZ from New Caledonia in October.

My one is mounted in a stainless steel cradle on the Pushpit. Pretty nicely tucked out of the way and has a quick release strap around it. If you just need it for a voyage then you are welcome to borrow the cradle as I have taken it off for my summer cruise along with all that other stuff cluttering up the back end of the boat.

Our plan is to go north but will wait and see.

Man that was a tough race tactically. I was 2 handed on the Elliott 1050 kick. we had a great result respective to the boats we mix with but it was a small boat race for sure.

Yes absolutely fine to leave on the french flag. We had Noumea yacht services take care of the departure paperwork for us. Our NZ registration was done while we were at sea so we entered NZ under a new name and registration document and that was no problem. Then you have to pay the tax... 5% duty then 15% gst on top of that figure and the boat can't leave opua until that is done. I highly recommend you get a customs broker to take care of the importation.