Like much of the teak on Te Tāiko, there are lots of signs to indicate that the teak on the cockpit floor has to go. Most recently a squelching sound under the teak king plank made us say enough is enough - that teak has to go!
Continue readingOpua Marina, Bay of Islands, NZ. Today the torrential rain and very strong winds were both much less as Gabrielle makes its way to the SE.
Continue readingOpua Marina, Bay of Islands, NZ. Another day of strong winds and heavy rain. The eye of the cyclone passed approximately 80 km east of us during the day resulting in veering winds.
Continue readingBare, windswept and wet! Opua Marina, Bay of Islands, NZ. A wild day due to the Cyclone passing over us. Winds have averaged high 20s low 30s with gusts 50-60 knts. Torrential rain. Pressure has been steadily dropping over the last 48 hours. Currently 998 mb.
Continue readingOpua 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.
Continue readingThe passing-by of cyclone Hale provided a window of 20-35 knt SW winds, meaning here in the Bay of Islands, wind off the land of high strength for sailing. This was a perfect opportunity to trial our try-sail.
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Log 352 nm
We arrived in anticipation of an easterly blow, having left the beautiful Urapukapuka anchorage at Paradise Bay. We got here early to make sure we could anchor in a well sheltered position from the forecast winds which are predicted to reach 60 knots.
Log 314 nm
Arrived in the morning and anchored on sand in 11 m of water 300 m off the beach at the head of the bay. We could have anchored much closer were there not boats already anchored ahead of us.
Opua to Pipi Bay, BOIs
Log 302 nm
This morning dawned a very foggy morning. As we motored through the marina on our way out to the bay, visibility was difficult to gauge, but probably only several hundred metres. Our departure coincided with a large commercial ferry.
Water is a critical component of ones cruising plans. Before setting off for extended off-grid cruising, there needs to be a clear understanding of how much water the tanks can hold, their current level, and based on typical usage, the expected duration of the water supply aboard.
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