$#!+ 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.
1218.3
NM
8 days 2 hours
Marsden Bay, New Zealand to Savusavu, Fiji
Wayne Girdlestone & Deborah Wai Kapohe
15 July 2025 at 13:41
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 🤟🏻
1.6
NM
44min
Rapaki to Lyttelton, New Zealand
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?
3.6
NM
1h 26m
Diamond Harbour to Rapaki, New Zealand
Perfect day for it… not sure it’s any better mind you?
1.1
NM
32min
Purau Bay to Diamond Harbour, New Zealand
Wayne Girdlestone & Deborah Wai Kapohe
13 July 2025 at 13:40
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 …
2
NM
1h 2m
Diamond Harbour, New Zealand
Wayne Girdlestone & Deborah Wai Kapohe
13 July 2025 at 08:59
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.
3.9
NM
1h 39m
Waitata/Little Port Cooper to Diamond Harbour, New Zealand
Wayne Girdlestone & Deborah Wai Kapohe
12 July 2025 at 11:23
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.
7.5
NM
2h 25m
Diamond Harbour to Waitata/Little Port Cooper, New Zealand
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