Easter Weekend 2015

It had felt like a long time since our epic Christmas trip and we were itching to get back on the water and enjoy a long weekend away before winter sets in and its too cold to venture out.
We asked a few friends who had not been out on the boat before and all were keen to come so with a good crew sorted we all finished up work a bit early, loaded the cars up and headed for Havelock. With a quick stop in Kaikoura at a local chip shop for a very sub par burger, a quick dash to the supermarket and toilet stop we were underway again for the last half of the trip north.

We arrived after dark as usual and packed the boat with all our gear, slipped the dock lines and headed to our usual spot at Putanui Point club mooring for the first night. The next day saw a bit of a gloomy morning but after we had some breakfast, dropped the mooring and started heading north the sun came out and the day was looking to be pretty amazing. The wind was nil so we motored out of the heads and decided to stop somewhere new, we popped into the bay on the western side of the Trio Islands, we dropped the hook in 12-14m of water and wasted no time in getting into togs and it was time for the makeshift halyard rope swing. A bite to eat and then Emma, Nick and myself decided to see what the diving was like and headed around the northern side of the island and swam back again, it was very clear for the area and probably some of the best vis I have seen in the area which was cool. Not too much fish life but I did manage to spot a large nudibranch.

Nick on the rope swing

Owen on the rope swing (Trio Islands)

We de-kitted and with a little bit of breeze in the afternoon we chucked up the sails to test out how she performs after I tuned the rigging up. OMG! why did I not do this years ago? she sails happily at 30 degrees off the wind and will point as low as 25 degrees now, I wish we had it like that for the North Island trip, the helm feels so much more responsive and lighter too....so if anyone reading this with a yacht has not checked their rigging lately do it! it makes a world of difference. Anyhow sidetracked, we headed to D'Urville Island and our favourite spot at Wharatea Bay where unfortunately the club mooring was taken so we dropped, then re-dropped the anchor before settling in for the night. What a great bunch of guys (and girls) aboard this trip, we had such a great night playing games, having a few drinks and eating waaaay too much chocolate.

Wharatea Bay, D'Urville Island

The next morning when Emma and I were still coming to terms with waking up we heard all sorts of commotion on deck and turns out Brett had managed to land two good pan sized snapper, good work! so we filleted them up and had some breakfast. We all went ashore and had a good walk up the stream at the head of the bay and checked out the hut thing overlooking the bay which although very basic and dilapidated would be better than sleeping outside on a miserable night. We headed back aboard and decided to take off, and by now the wind had picked up quite a bit and we sailed with 20+kn right up the rear and managed to surf down some waves and hit 9kn, then as soon as we rounded the heads the winds were sheltered and the water became very calm. As we passed between the Chetwodes and the mainland both the hand trolling line and trolling rod showed signs of life but unfortunately both had just hooked damn Barracuda so back to the water they go.

Brett winding in the fighting Barracuda

Don't put your fingers in that mouth...

The winds were picking up again in the sounds and we first thought to go to Maori Bay in Port Ligar but club mooring was taken so we headed for good old Ketu where we rode out a really good blow and watched another tiny boat on a mooring further out get laid over again and again. Its times like this I am thankful for 5 ton of ballast on the bottom of Dulcinea. Another good night with a few great games of Articulate (highly recommend!), plenty of great food and more chocolate, cheese and biscuits...man we are healthy!

L-R: Owen, Brett, Nick & Helen

Maud Island in the distance

The next day was a world away from yesterday and we had flat waters and a nice gentle breeze so we sailed pretty much all the way from Ketu to Yncyca Bay, it was so much easier with the better pointing ability. I think Nick and Brett had a good time working the winches and sheets, cheers boys for your hard work. When we got to Yncyca all the boys jumped in for a refreshing swim and not long after discovered we had just run out of water...bugger! So myself, Brett and Nick jumped in the dinghy with a couple of water jugs to go look for a stream or something to get water. After doing a lap of the bay we couldn't find anything other than a private jetty with a hose tap attached to a boatshed so we all piled up their jetty, waved at the security camera and 'borrowed' 40L of water. That should tie us over as we are heading into the marina tomorrow.

On the hunt for water...

Emma, Brett and I spent a bit of time that night going ashore to play with the camera and long exposure setting to try get some cool night shots of Dulcinea, sort of success, maybe some more practice will yield some better pictures.

The next day was pretty average and in perfect leaving style it rained as we were heading in. I sat under the dodger steering from the chartplotter while the others sat below and played cards (kings and assholes - there is a blast from highschool past). As we got into the marina it was cold but at least the rain had stopped and we could pack up without getting wet. We all agreed to stop in Seddon for a picnic lunch and it was harder than thought to find a park with a table for such an exercise, but we found one, spent half an hour trying to make our lunch in what felt like a wind tunnel but at least the sun was out. Thanks to Nick, Helen, Brett and Emma for an awesome weekend!