Ready for the 2013/14 sailing season

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I left the tradewinds of the tropics behind at the end of August and headed south back to the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Light winds along the way meant a rather slow trip, but the pace has certainly picked up since then. Preparations for the new charter season began almost as soon as Freewind was back on her mooring in Matauwhi Bay, Russell. A few charters with beautiful weather hailed the start of the season, then I took two weeks’ break to lift Freewind out of the water and do the annual maintenance work in the boatyard at Opua. Freewind went back into the water with a fresh coat of paint on her hull and looking as bright and smart as she did on her launching day. She also passed the annual NZ Maritime Safety inspection with flying colours, as always, so now we’re all good and ready for summer sailing and fun in the sun.		Freewind at the Opua boatyard after a fresh coat of paint

Sailing among the tall ships		The sailing ship Europa from Holland anchored at Roberton Island, the Bay of Islands

In October, the sailing community in the Bay of Islands had the privilege to welcome a most impressive fleet of tall ships that arrived from Sydney. It was a sight that had not been witnessed in the Bay since the sailing-ship days of the 1800s. For me - and I’m sure that for those who were on board Freewind on that day – sailing alongside these beautiful queens of the sea was an amazing experience. The traditional Maori welcome the crews received in Russell was also a most memorable event, and we hope that with the fond memories they have of the Bay of Islands, the ships will stop here again on their next round-the-world tour.

So far this season, I’ve been going out with a small number of guests on each charter and playing the role of skipper, crew and cook all in one. But as the weather warms up and more tourists arrive in the Bay of Islands, we are expecting the numbers to increase and I’m looking forward to having my crew back on board - my two daughters Eleanor and Melanie who take turns as First Mate on Freewind during their summer holidays from school and university. We are all looking forward to a great season of sailing in the sunny Bay of Islands. If you want to get away from the crowds on Christmas day or New Year’s Eve, or any other day for that matter – come and explore the untouched islands, bays and beaches of the Bay of Islands with us. Call 0800 002244 for trip details and reservations, or see www.sailbayofislands.com		First mate Eleanor at the wheel – Freewind, Bay of Islands

Back in the South Pacific

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It’s time for my Fiji report once again.

As temperatures plummeted in New Zealand, it was time to head north to warmer waters. After the season’s charters finished, I spent a few weeks getting Freewind ready for the ocean passage, and in mid-June we left New Zealand, with the wind from the south-west and Freewind’s bow pointing north. After a few days of good progress, the wind changed to the north, which left us with a choice of sailing either east or west. With Minerva Reef only 200 miles to the northeast, I was happy to change my itinerary and head towards Minerva. However, the weather wasn’t co-operating, as the ship’s log attests:

 

Still battling strong northerlies 25-30 knots, started last night, looking forward to more favourable conditions  (June 19, 09:00)
In damage control mode at the moment, wind gusting 40+, fully reefed, might have to hove to.  (June 19, 12:00)

But then it all came right, the wind died, the waves abated, and I spotted Minerva Reef on the horizon: 

Just dropped anchored in North Minerva and all the frustrations of the last week have vanished .
What a amazing place, 60 feet of water and you can see the bottom so clear.
Will write more later. Shower, food, and sleep for me now.   (June 20, 09:00)

Sunrise on the way to Fiji		North Minerva Reef, 230 37′ S, 178 056′ W, Satellite photo and chart

After a relaxing few days in Minerva Reef, I headed north-west to Fiji, and on this leg of the trip I had a passenger – a Blue-footed Booby that must have been blown to Minerva in a storm and was waiting for a ride back to Fiji. As soon as he realised that I was heading the right way, he decided to make himself at home on Freewind and stayed until we were back in his home territory, about 80 miles from land. then he became very restless and was off and away, heading straight ahead of Freewind’s bow – a good check on my navigation. It must have great navigation skills, or maybe it just picked up the stench from his rookery.

 

My friend the Blue-footed Booby
 

Back in Savusavu, it was good to meet up with my friends and catch up on all that’s happened since I left last year. Fiji – the land and the people - are as welcoming as ever, and you always get that warm feeling, not only in body but in your heart, as you slip into “tropical mode”.
 

Last week, to supplement all the fresh tropical fruit and produce from the local market I dined on Marlin for a few days. Australians John and Steve on a charter with Terry and Trevina of SeaRov caught a whopping marlin. Unfortunately, it was tangled in the line and was dead when they got it on board, so couldn’t tag and release. The catch was shared with half the town, so nothing was wasted and everyone ate well.

No, I didn’t catch this one, just helping to haul it up before it was cut up and shared among the people of the town.

 

Next month I plan to sail up to Wallis Island, a tiny island a few days’ sail north of Fiji. It’s a French territory, so I better brush up my French, and then it’ll be time to head back south to New Zealand to prepare for the 2013/14 charter season in the Bay of Islands.

Until then, it’s Bula Vinaka and Mocé, from Ron and Freewind.

 

The Big Shave-Off

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From the Savusavu Yacht Club's notice board: “Our Junior and Youth Sailors are off to Viti Levu to defend their titles in both Lasers & Optimists on the high seas off Uprising Resort in Pacific Harbour. The team comprises 8 Optimists Sailors, (6 lads and 2 lasses) as well as 4 Lasers (3 young men & 1 young lady). The team is headed up by Master Coach of 25 years Sir Geoffrey Taylor... …on Sunday, Aug 5th, the Yacht Club will hold the big fundraiser for the event, the 'Shave Off' between the Pirates of Savusavu, namely Ron & Leon. "Thee who raises the most funds by 4pm Sunday (5 Aug) lays claim to a Bucket of Pirates Rum". The Shave Off by two renown barbers will take place at 5pm on the club lawn. A red hot fresh goat curry, complimented by a vegetable curry, puri & rice prepared by the famous Special Occasion Chef "Ali Hussein" over a wood fire on site will be available from 4pm Sunday (F$10p/p - all proceeds to Youth Sailing)."                                   photos: Lorna Eden	The Savusavu Yacht Club’s notice board: Fundraising for Kid’s Sailing

The “port & starboard” pirates: Ron and Leon	Ron surrendering to the barber
…and its almost time to look in the mirror	Ron, red beard in hand
No going back now	“Where’s that bottle of Rum?”

  In the end, it was all well worth it. Over FJ$ 1800 were raised by the event – thank you to all those who helped, supported, shaved, cooked the great food, and to those who donated funds for the cause – Vinaka Vaka Levu to you all.
  We wish the Savusavu sailors all the best for the Pacific Harbour races starting August 15th.
  Savusavu’s very own Lewa Rauqeuqe, crewing with Graham Southwick, is in first place (ahead of the Australians) at the Oceania Hobie Cat Championship being held in Pacific Harbour at the moment – well done Lewa!

And before someone decides to shave the hair off my head too, I think I’ll start preparing Freewind for the trip back to New Zealand.

Will update you on that next time.
Bula Vinaka,   Ron

Footnotes from Fiji

Bula! Once again posting from Fiji, where I’m enjoying the tropical breezes and smiling faces.

Ron relaxing Fiji Style

It was good to meet up with the old gang at the Savusavu Yacht Club The Three Musketeers – Tim, Geoff and Ron at the yacht club. After delivering “Flip Flop Fly” to the Savusavu Junior Sailing Club and watching some great Laser sailing performances from the kids I decided to give it a go myself. Couldn’t beat the expert young sailors in the races, but had lots of fun anyway. More photos of Junior Sailing racing here.

Ron racing on Flip Flop Fly

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I also had a chance to try out my new camera and although I’m still learning the ropes
I’m quite pleased with the results so far, especially my sunrise and sunset pictures.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy:

   

                                                     Sunset in Saweni Bay

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It was great to have the family on board again for a short holiday this month, (see Freewind’s blog),
 and it all ended too soon as the girls had to get back to school.
Time sure flies when when the sun’s shining and the scent of fresh tropical flowers is in the air!


Before you know it, it will be time to set sail south back to New Zealand.
But until then, greeting from Fiji to you all,

Ron

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Summer Sailing in the Bay of Islands

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Freewind’s blog

Seems like it was only yesterday when we were planning the Christmas and New Year’s cruises, and here we are almost mid-February. The summer is passing like one of those swift breezes that we have experienced recently here in the Bay of Islands. Unlike our neighbours in Australia and the South Pacific, here in New Zealand’s Northland the weather has settled down and we are currently enjoying some lovely days and great sailing. As always, I am really enjoying meeting our guests - people of all ages and nationalities, and sharing the Bay of Islands experience with them. The fishing’s been good, the wildlife plentiful, and the scenery – as always – fantastic.		Freewind posing for a sunset shot, Motorua, Bay of Islands
Approaching the Hole in The Rock near Cape Brett, Bay of Islands		A sheltered anchorage, Bay of Islands

While my youngest daughters have done a great job crewing on Freewind over the summer holidays, it’s now time to start training the next generation – my grandson Zethan - who was very keen to take Freewind’s helm and steer her into a safe anchorage. Let’s hope it won’t be long before he can give me a hand trimming the sails too. It’s been great having Eleanor and Melanie crewing on Freewind and I will miss them now that school has started – hopefully they will still be able to join the ship on weekend sails.

If you’re planning to come up to the Bay of Islands, we would love to see you on board for one of our overnight cruises, or just a day trip from 10 am to 4 pm,

Wishing every one plenty of sunshine and good breezes,

Ron

South Pacific Cruise – 2011

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Back from four months in the South Pacific. Tonga – Fiji – New Caledonia.
Had a great time, met lots of wonderful people. Good to catch up with old friends in Savusavu and see that the young sailors at the Junior Sailing Club have improved their sailing, representing Fiji in the South Pacific Games in New Caledonia.
Let the photos tell the story.

We had some rough times on the passages, but also some lovely magical moments	It was great to meet up with old friends in Savusavu, Fiji
This is a view of Savusavu harbour from Freewind’s mooring	I spent about 2 months in Savusavu, helping the kids of the Junior Sailing Club

Optimist sailing in Savusavu	Laser sailing in Savusavu
While the next generation of sailors were improving their skills on the Optimist boats in Savusavu Bay, the seniors were practising their racing tactics for the big event of the year – the South Pacific Games 2011. The games were held in Nouméa this year, and opened on Aug 27th. Four sailors from the Savusavu Junior Sailing Club represented Fiji in the Laser racing competitions. The Copra Shed Marina, the Savusavu community, and visiting yachties all contributed to the great fundraising effort to send the sailors to the Games.
Saturdays were devoted to training and racing, but Sundays were for leisure sailing. Geoff’s refurbished boat Talanoa and Freewind were out enjoying Savusavu Bay, with the Cousteau Resort beach a favourite lunch spot.
Sunday morning sailing in Savusavu Bay	Geoff Taylor’s Talanoa

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   In mid-September I set out with Tim and Finn on the passage west to New Caledonia, meeting up with the Fiji Laser team and coach Geoff Taylor in Nouméa. The Games committee in New Caledonia did a fantastic job preparing a great venue for the sailing at Coté Blanche, Nouméa, and were perfect hosts for the South Pacific Games. Even though our Laser sailors didn’t win medals, the sailing was great, the competition world class, and everyone enjoyed the event tremendously.

The flags represent the 6 sailing teams: Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia,Tahiti, Fiji, Papua New Guinea.	Coach Geoff and Mikey preparing the Fiji boat for the race.
The Cook Islands team before the race	The beautiful beach at Coté Blanche was a perfect setting for the races
Lasers sailing towards the Start line	Fiji men’s team Laser sailing

   

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 It’s great being back with family and friends in New Zealand and I’m looking forward to another charter season and plenty of fun in the sun.
 See you on the water,
                                                                    Ron

Sailing and Sustainability in Savusavu, Fiji

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Bula from Fiji!
Enjoying the sun and smiles in the tropics.
Freewind is currently moored in Savusavu where its full-on at the Junior Sailing Club, in preparation for the Oceania Games in Noumea, New Caledonia later this month. Four young sailors from Savusavu will be representing Fiji in Laser sailing and Freewind will be there too to support the team. The local community and visiting yachties have been very generous with their contributions to all the fundraising efforts and the club’s young sailors are training hard to be in top shape for the races. The strong trade winds that have been blowing this week are giving the kids a good run with the boats.

Savusavu kids sailing the Lasers in strong trade winds	The natural hot springs in town, next to the hotel

Eco-friendly innovative water heating at the Hot Springs Hotel, Savusavu

One of the attractions of Savusavu is the natural hot spring which flows right in the centre of town, next to the local primary school and the aptly named Hot Springs Hotel. Early in the morning, when it is still cool, yachts moored opposite the town can see the steam rising from the ground where the hot spring water flows into the sea – quite an unusual sight.

The heat exchanger used to heat the water at the Hot Springs Hotel	The heat exchanger being lowered into the hot geothermally active ground.

Last week, when visiting the Hot Springs Hotel, I had the opportunity to see the unique water heating system which takes advantage of the geothermal activity underneath the hotel grounds. All the hot water in the hotel is heated by a heat exchanger buried in the hot, thermally active ground. The water, which enters at a temperature of about 25ºC, gets heated to 50ºC. The system is gravity-fed, so as well as being a great eco-friendly way of heating water, it saves the hotel on the heating bill.
Read more on this in the Fiji Times article and see photos here.

Well, that’s all for now. We are starting to think about the next leg – the sail from Fiji to New Caledonia in about 2 weeks’ time. Freewind’s pretty much ready to go, so it will be mostly provisioning for the trip and the stay in New Caledonia (where food is much more expensive) just before we leave. Until then – warm greeting from Savusavu,

Ron