Sailing Adventures

I like having adventures on a sailboat. That doesn’t mean wrestling sharks or battling hurricanes. It means I like to take a boat (and myself) and test it to the limit of its capabilities.

This helps explain my addiction to small boats. It’s easier to test them. Going to the Barrier in a 70ft yacht with generators and ice makers and paid crew may be a pleasant holiday, but it’s not an adventure. Taking a Hobie 16 and a tent to the Barrier is an adventure.

On quiet days at the office I like to surf the net for interesting material for the site, and I inevitably drift to small boats, where I’m always impressed by the adventures people have with them. Check out this quote:

As Matt began sculling us away, this would-be con man put his foot down on our boat to stop us. Matt continued to scull, and soon the fellow found himself in the awkward position of having one foot on land and the other on the boat with an ever widening gap in between the two. Just before he fell into the water, we pulled him aboard. Then to our amazement, he resumed his demands for money as he precariously balanced himself on the fore deck.
In an attempt to regain control, we began rocking PARADOX from side to side, which forced our unwanted guest to sit down and behave himself. It wasn't long before we had him back on shore. We later called our antics the "Bahamian Deck Roll," in the hopes that should we ever be boarded in the future, the intruder could be dislodged easily by simply rocking the boat.

In fact, pour yourself a cup of tea and sit back to read the entire piece from Duckworks here.

Here in NZ we have a small boat cruising guru, recognized internationally, in the form of John Wellsford, and his little boats have made some astounding cruises, I’ve reproduced an article from his website which you can read by clicking the headline.

So here’s what I’m going to do, a bottle of Mount Gay’s finest to the person who supplies me with the best cruising story on a small sailboat. Points will be awarded for the size (smallness) of the boat, excitement factor of the itinerary, and photos always help.

Crazy Laser Sailors

Yesterday I was down at Takapuna and a couple of laser sailors were rigging up, all the while hoping for the forecast 30kn to kick in. Maybe there's hope for sailing in NZ.
I had a chat and took a few photos, click the headline.

Sailing...Have a Go

This YNZ sponsored initiative has already launched 6,000 Kiwi kids into sailing, and is getting ready to fire again this summer.

Intergalactic Rotovegas OK Championships

Ten OK sailors descended on Rotorua for the third running of the Intergalactic Rotovegas OK Championships over the weekend of 18th & 19th October. This was the first regatta in the NZOKDA 2008/09 summer series. Click the headline.

Tri Foiler, First Attempt

On Friday Matt Cox brought his recently refurbished Tri Foiler down to Manly where photographer Gareth Cooke and I met up and helped get him into the water.

Napier's Big Regatta

Sometimes I really think clubs and events like this are what it's all about.



Wairoa Yacht Club are celebrating 50 years of Yachting on the Wairoa River this November with The Port of Napier Wairoa River Regatta. East Coast Champs for Optimist Green Fleet, P Class and Laser will also be contested. Yachts are expected from Napier Sailing Club and also Gisborne Yacht Club who's sailors supported this event 50years ago and continue to enjoy the Wairoa hospitality today.
Programme begins on Saturday with Race registrations at 09:00 hr, Briefing 10:00 hr, Race 1commences at 11:00 hr.
Spectators are able to view the racing from the club house or follow the action along the river from the riverside walkway.

Participants are able to camp next to the Club house or the Riverside camping Ground. Competing children are able to camp in the Wairoa Ski Club rooms at the western side of the Bridge.

Jubilee celebrations commence at 18:00 hr with Welcome and speeches followed by a BBQ meal at the Club house.
The club would like as many past members as possible to attend.

Racing Continues on Sunday.
Prizes for Race winners and Spot Prizes will be awarded.

Registration forms for both sailors and non sailors are available enquiries to Jill Metz-Mayhead email amayhead@xtra.co.nz

And some photos of the inaugural regatta in 1958:

Tri Foiler

I got an email this morning from the foiler man up north:
David,
I finally rigged the boat!!!!!!
Have not quite finished with the assembly, just the rudder and foils to attach and connect up, straightforward bolts and nuts stuff.....
I will be doing that tomorrow, then it be time to float it and make it go (i hope). It will all be weather dependent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJUZfty8JEo&feature=user the youtube vid is new,Dan ketterman has just started to post them. This one shows how much chop it can handle............
Rigging it was just like my first time with a hang glider, eerie really.
Cheers Matt

Skiff Sailing

While putting the previous piece together Kenny lent me a disc with photos from the 12 ft Interdominions in Wellington (last January?). The photos were so good I was looking for an excuse to use them. Then I realised it's my website and I can do what I want. So click the headline for some serious eye candy - skiff style.

Centreboard Expo Postponed

From the Organisers:
I won't mention the weather but it looks bloody awful for the whole weekend so we are going to postpone the event until August Saturday the 16th with a spare day on Sunday the 17th.
New flyer here.

The Mistral's 50th Birthday

The Mistral, designed by Des Townson, is about to celebrate it's 50th year. Click here for the birthday program.