Clive Carrington-Wood

A breezy start, heading into wind under engine with Fore and Main hoisted. Once at a point to sail clear of the Mussel farms, eased off the ENE wind, set Genoa and shut down engine. A glorious sail 8-9kts in a F3-F4 with a slightly choppy sea but little swell. Leeway led us down toward the mussel farm so started the engine and pinched to windward to clear. After 15 minutes, engine shut down due to fuel starvation. Sailed on and sorted it at last after cross connecting and switching tanks followed by bleeding air from the filters. Wind died closing Nelson, allowing a swift man overboard drill when Saxby lost his hat over the side. Wind then picked up again just to be a nuisance whilst picking up the mooring.

After a big breakfast followed by stunning walk ashore in the morning, navigating up the inlet to the waterfall bridge, we sailed late morning under engine . Proceeding northwards we investigated Awaroa bay as a potential anchorage but it was hopelessly exposed to a northerly swell making it too uncomfortable. We therefore proceeded south again to Tonga Island Roadstead where we enjoyed a sheltered anchorage close to shore whilst retaining almost a metre beneath the keel at low water. A walk/swim ashore in the afternoon was followed by a lovely evening meal aboard.

After a forenoon of cleaning, tidying and preparing for sea, we eventually sailed shortly after midday. First stopping at Saxby’s mooring to await his return from berthing how own boat, Oyster NZ, we departed Nelson via Haul ashore and foreshore rock. Heading north under motor for an hour or so allowed us to gain a suitable wind angle to sail on a close reach to Kaiteriteti, narrowly shaving the northern corner of the mussel farm. Anchoring briefly at Kaiteriteri, we launched the tender and whizzed in to collect Martine from the beach. From there it was a motor northward to a delightful, sheltered anchorage where we enjoyed a stunning sunset and moonrise.

A lively sail, starting with two hours of motoring in mirror calm conditions rounding East Cape close in. Gently the wind picked up as forecast to a steady F3-F4 from behind and we experimented with goose winging with the Gennaker set. Joined by dolphins we were kept well entertained. A fresh F6-F7 built up early evening and roared us along at 9-10 kts u till I took in two reefs in both the fore and the main, striking the Gennaker at the same time. The wind changed at about 22:00 and we motored until about 07:00. The last leg was with F3 on a broad reach blowing us happily into Napier.

A light, downwind start which allowed the hoisting of Gennaker and Gollywobbler, frustratingly sat directly astern on a dead run, which collapsed the Gennaker which was stowed. The wind then dropped to light airs and we motored almost the entire day and night. Two burst of F3 winds on the beam and then the nose at watch changeovers during the night got us over excited briefly but then had to motor into F4 to F5 on the nose to round the corner in the morning to get to the anchorage. A first night passage for the three new crew.