Explore Sailing Voyages in New Zealand 🇳🇿

$#!+ weather leaving NZ, but it was the only window for at least another 2 weeks. 5+meter seas and40 knot gusts made for a harrowing first 3days, but it settled down and was pretty nice the rest of the way.

After a fantastic lunch it was time to head back to the marina. It’s been a fantastic 8 days on the water seeing how we cope with this lifestyle, what works, what did not and of course how did Sealion live up to expectations. Simply put, Sealion was great however for two of us full time onboard she is too small. For me this is my dream, I love it, the highs, the lows and everything in between. It’s not easy but it’s rewarding beyond belief. A larger yacht with a few more basic creature comforts will hopefully make this life a bit more comfortable for Debbie? Budget wise, for the 2 or us, 8 days on the water eating really well was in the facility of $500. In terms of diesel, we went through about 75l which included motoring, heating and topping up the battery. Water consumption was 150l which included a little bit of a bugger up when a tap got left on so all in all a good test. All in all, this was a fantastic trip and I’m already looking forward to the next one… hopefully the weather will play ball 🤟🏻

Spent a bit of time trying to calibrate “Al” the autopilot but not sure he any better… time will tell! No wind again today so great opportunity to motor around to areas of Lyttelton Harbour I have not been to. Was a proper Gary glass-off for the majority of the morning and Quayle Island is an area I would like to venture to in the near future. Also looks to be a solid anchorage for a southerly blow? Motored back across the bay to Cass bay for lunch. Absolutely stunning day for this. Perhaps winter in the South is not ALWAYS so bad then?

Perfect day for it… not sure it’s any better mind you?

Gentle motor over to Purau taking in the sights… Going to give Paul’s mooring ball a go tonight. Expecting a light to moderate N-NE wind. Debbie feeling a bit better today which is a relief …

Well that was not the best anchorage… should have realised that after a big blow Little Port Cooper would have been rolly as… Bigger concern was no water on arrival yesterday afternoon so I suspect either I made a calculation error or a tap as left on. 20l reserves came in handy last night.. No wind to speak of so just motored back this morning.

After yesterdays blow with gusts into into the 50’s even in Diamond Harbour (very sheltered) the sea state was a tad unpleasant today. Never seen rollers braking in the harbour before so thats a first. Steady enough wind to power us through the chop but did die off near the heads again. Picked up a club mooring ball in Little Port Cooper but have the feeling we are in for a rough night.