Half Moon Bay

[Rafin 2]

Intending to head to the gulf when the weather improves in a few days and want to pick up another couple up there. Half Moon Bay looks like our best option, I've never been in there so would appreciate some advice please. Is there a public wharf or do we need to go into one of the marinas? Could fuel up at the same time but does fuel dock have pedestrian access? Boat is a Beneteau 40.7, draws 2.4m, are we tide dependent? Is there public car parking available for a few days?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Ray.

[Sudden5869 9]

Hey Ray 

 

At 2.4m draft suggest not going up the estuary at dead low tide, otherwise you'll be OK.  Don't take the Eastern short cut through Musick Point unless close to high tide. 

 

There is fuel available on inside Half Moon Bay Marina.  On the left as you go in, next to the sea break.  Don't this there is pedestrian access (I've never tried) but if you motor in there you shouldn't need it.  

 

There is a public loading wharf on the boat ramp side of BBYC marina.  Don't think it is for long term.  Tie up and load up sort of stuff.  

 

Plenty of parking, all well marked by the boat ramp too.

 

Cheers

[Sudden5869 9]

Fuel Info for Halfmoon Bay Marina... 

http://www.hmbmarina.co.nz/about/facilities/fuel-dock-info 

[Farrari 4]

Ray

 

As Scott mentioned, there are two entrances to the Tamaki Estuary to get to Half Moon Bay; one via Musick Point and the other via West Tamaki Heads.  The area is well charted but I'd recommend you sticking to one of the two channels for deepest water.  Musick Point has a CD of 1.2m at the lowest point and West Tamaki Heads has a CD of 1.8m so you will need to watch the tides if you draw 2.4m.  Make sure you follow the channel markers as the channel does take a dog leg around a large sandspit that many a boat has parked up on trying to take the direct line of sight route.

 

There are two marina's (Half Moon Bay and BBYC) with separate entrances; HMB is the first entrance and BBYC is the second.  You will need to follow the estuary down past little Bucklands Beach and past the marina hardstand area.  Both marina's have a jetty with public access although it's not immediately obvious how to access the HMB fuel jetty from the roadside (see below).  The BBYC jetty is theoretically meant to for club members but I don't think short term use will cause any issues.  It also has limited turning space that is compounded if there are already other boats in there using the space.

 

To use the HMB fuel jetty take the first marina access and take a hard left turn and you will see the jetty.  There is space to tie up if you are not taking on fuel or water a little bit further down if not already occupied.  Public access is via a gate down by Bryant Marine but involves walking through the hardstand area.  Take a left after the gate entrance and follow the pathway to the marina office, turn right and walk in front of the travel lift area pass the little sheds and turn left.  You will see the jetty entrance.  I must admit I haven't been down this jetty for a couple of years but last time I was there it wasn't gated.

 

To use the BBYC marina take the second entrance and turn hard right.  This jetty is where the ferries tie up on the other side.  There is plenty of water depth in both marinas.

 

There is a reasonable amount of public parking although it fills up fast this time of year.

 

Steve

[Zozza 125]

I spent some time at HMB last year, both in the water and on the hard. Easily the friendliest, most helpful bunch of marina staff I have come across.

[Sudden5869 9]

There's also a Super Market, Chemist, Chandlery and a bunch of restaurants at HMB now.  

Handy for cruising when needing to re-stock. 

[jonathan 4]

I draw about 2.3 and keep my boat up at panmure,   I can always get into the estuary via the Karaka bay (western side).    I \always seem to have 3.2m under keel this side (stay in the deepest as long as possible on your chartplotter and cut across the shortest rout between the shallows, don't stray out towards browns.

 

there is a lot of tidal flow.

[erice 333]

i'm no pilot

 

but as vindil only draws 1.3m and has a new and powerful engine

 

at high tide i'll go through the east passage, if the pine harbor ferries are

 

follow their dip into the estuary, to avoid the mud-sand bank south of brown's

 

it's pretty narrow between the red + green channel markers and can get busy with boats so use engine if needed to keep to speed above 4kn with a good eye behind for staying out of the ferries way

 

your mileage may vary

 

 

 

 

 

[Rafin 2]

Thanks for the advice everyone, we'll give it a go later this week if the weather co-operates!

[harrytom 271]

i'm no pilot

 

but as vindil only draws 1.3m and has a new and powerful engine

 

at high tide i'll go through the east passage, if the pine harbor ferries are

 

follow their dip into the estuary, to avoid the mud-sand bank south of brown's

 

it's pretty narrow between the red + green channel markers and can get busy with boats so use engine if needed to keep to speed above 4kn with a good eye behind for staying out of the ferries way

 

your mileage may vary

 

musik3.jpg

spring low yesterday and we need a 100mm more to get through,sat bumping away with every bloody boat going past for a 1hr,that was between green/red marker,draft 5ft,worked out well sort of,by the time we got free and on mooring club open.  just checked 3.5 tides normally we are ok on 2.9/3.0m tides,first time i have seen rocks exposed by red marker. musick pt.