Preparing for Cyclone Gabrielle

February 11th, 2023

Opua Marina, Bay of Islands, NZ.

With the approach of the cyclone, Friday and half of Saturday were spent by us stripping Te Tāiko of objects on and above decks to reduce windage. The most adverse weather is due at our location Sunday-Tuesday. MetService have issued severe weather watches for wind and rainfall over this time. 

This morning the wind built to 20-30 knots from the NE. Still dry as of 5:30 pm.

As of 5:30 pm wind is averaging 19 knots (gusting 36 knots) over the past 60 mins. Average wind direction has been 87 degrees (Easterly). Barometric pressure is 1008 mb and falling.

The main jobs undertaken in preparation were as follows:

• Remove both sails and stack pack
• Check supplies
• Tidy cabin and quarter berths
• Lash anchor
• Double lines
• Line chafe protection
• Wash, deflate and stow tender and oars
• Remove dodger, bimini, lee clothes
• Clean and remove BBQ from pushpit
• Remove outboard and lash
• Clear the decks!
• Check water levels
• Washing
• Empty composting head
• Dispose of rubbish
• Sun shades on instruments
• Grab bag
• Winch handles
• Close seacocks

Here are some pics from the day and a half preparing for the cyclone!