Hicks Bay to Napier

Clive Carrington-Wood

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.