
Purchased our first ever boat "Thistle," our 52 foot ketch, and have been living aboard since June 2022.


The wind was up to 30kts and constant 25+. swell was small but chop was relentless! uncomfortable sail but uneventful in whole.

Lua Va Ila to Uoleva Island, Tonga
Sea was messy, no real swell most of the times but it was brisk wind of up to 26kts on a reach to start with, then a close haul. Wasn't completely uncomfortable, but it wasn't the most comfortable either. Good average speed however.
1

Pangaimotu Island to Nomuka Iki, Tonga
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
25 April 2026 at 10:00
3

Kapurarahurahu Point to Opua, New Zealand
Very lumpy sea with little wind until Cape Brett where we got 22kts on the beam. Sailed with genoa and mizzen only. Some swell was up to 3 meters.

Whangamumu to Kapurarahurahu Point, New Zealand
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
23 April 2026 at 08:15
Similar conditions to yesterday with a deep sail of 130+ AWA. Very lumpy sea. We tried a different configuration of sails today and only utilized the Mizzen and Genoa sails. We could point much lower than if we had the main hoisted as well. Both sails stayed full even at the deep angle and rolling seas. TWS was between 12-20kts most of the way. it was a pleasure sail despite far from ideal sea state.

Tutukaka to Whangamumu, New Zealand
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
22 April 2026 at 07:00
Very frustrating conditions for SV Thistle. direct down wind with 1.2m chop and varying strength between 10kts to 25kts. when the wind speed died it was hard to keep full sails and we had to turn off the wind a lot.

Mansion House to Tutukaka, New Zealand
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
9 April 2026 at 09:12
1

Mullet Bay to Otarawao Bay, New Zealand
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
4 March 2026 at 17:14

Scott Point to Hobsonville, New Zealand
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
11 February 2026 at 17:29
very calm conditions but a bit flukey. Max Gusts 17knots, bus mainly 8knots
1

Hobsonville to Scott Point, New Zealand
Marcus Beagley & Emily Guiliani
8 February 2026 at 10:30
Great sail back with CCYC competitors. we took out 3 from 3 races today. great sailing conditions although the end by the harbor bridge got a little flukey with the wind direction and strength.

Mansion House to Hobsonville, New Zealand