Tag: cruising

  • Passage: NZ to Vanuatu Day 7

    Started out downwind sailing with our Code Zero, in variable winds of 13-26 knots. Overall making good time. More birds, land is getting closer. In the night, we go between the uninhabited volcanic islands of Matthew and Hunter, claimed by both Vanuatu and New Caledonia (France). We go over the southern arc of the South…

  • Passage: NZ to Vanuatu Day 6: Happy Father’s Day!

    Happy Father’s Day! What a glorious way to start this 24 hours; winds and seas have built to 15-24 knots, seas 1-2 meters, perfect angle – we are flying! And it is SO comfortable. We all fully have our sealegs, to the point where I’m down in the galley making meals for everyone like a…

  • Passage: NZ to Vanuatu Day 5

    As we look at the diminishing wind and our speed of 2 knots, we succumb and motor on one engine for a bit, helps charge our batteries as well. This is the first time we’ve motored this passage. I’m realizing that mellow passages make for boring blog entries, but I’ll take this notorious crossing from…

  • Passage: NZ to Vanuatu Day 4

    Winds and seas continue to diminish, as we slowly move along with our headsail. Calm enough to go forward and take down our tattered New Zealand flag. We haven’t motored yet, but have a 3-knot speed threshold as to when we would likely start an engine. We get local bursts of wind from nearby squalls…

  • Passage: NZ to Vanuatu, Day 2

    Seas and winds up, flying our Genoa. Cora and I not feeling the best, but lying down helps, and we know we’ll feel better tomorrow as seas mellow. Calder has his fishing lines in the water. We are heading almost directly north, a bit to the east of Vanuatu in preparation for a change of…

  • June 2026: Passage NZ to Vanuatu Day 1

    Up this morning, excited, nervous anticipation, sadness at leaving, tearful goodbyes. Last minute stowing. Car sold. One more loaf of bread bought. Checked out at the marina, bringing a gift of wine. Then to Customs for our noon appointment. After changing it so many times, can hardly believe it is really our departure day! Customs…

  • Night before Passage: Goodbye New Zealand

    The beautiful weather window fell apart for the many boats waiting to head to the Tropics. These waters between New Zealand and the Tropics are not to be trifled with. Many of our good friend boats did indeed take this window, heading to Fiji, but we plan to head to Vanuatu. I find this one…

  • Bay of Islands, New Zealand: Waiting, Working, & Winging

    Anchored out front of Opua, we have access to stores with needed boat parts and hiking trails. At night, we hear the kiwis and morepork.  We say “Bon voyage” to our trusty dinghy Little T, as she gets passed on to another cruising boat heading to the tropics; we hope she holds on tight, as…

  • New Zealand: Fall Projects & Launch Day

    Back to Terikah at Marsden Cove boatyard, looking so great with her new blue and purple (yes, purple!) stripes. It’s “go-time” to get Terikah ready for our long journey home to Alaska. Here is the list of many of the boat projects we have done this fall: Beyond just the boat itself, when looking at…

  • New Zealand: Explorations & Boat Haul Out

    I’m writing this perched high in the air, looking out at cow fields, with our car parked under the boat. Terikah is hauled out at Marsden Cove for some much-needed love. But before we found ourselves here, we had a couple more weeks to explore the surrounding waters. Back at Waiheke Marina, we were ready…