The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson
Sailing Yacht Truce
Friday 12th May, departed from Auckland and headed North towards the Bay of Islands. Steven, my son is with me and eager to undertake his first offshore passage. In the early afternoon we took the outgoing tide from Hobsonville Marina, motoring under the Auckland Harbour bridge and then sailing with headsails up to Kawau Island. We anchored in Mansion House Bay in the early evening and had a quiet and peaceful night at anchor, awaking to flat calm in the morning.
The end of January. From the logbook it appears that we have only had three days without rain this year – most unusual. Also, it appears that we have only had three days good sailing this year. Summer is a dud.
After a quiet night at Whangamumu Harbour and a leisurely breakfast we weighed anchor and headed out into a decent swell and confused sea. Once clear of the harbour things sorted themselves out and we sailed on a brisk S’Wly breeze up to and around Cape Brett. From there it was plain sailing all the way down into the Bay of Islands, the sun came out, it started to feel like summer had arrived.
Saturday morning and the weather looked good, not much wind at our anchorage in Kairara Bay but hopefully more outside. Keen to get going I started the engine and weighed anchor. By sunrise we were heading out of Port Fitzroy and feeling the first heave of the easterly swell.
Sunday morning opened fine and clear in Spirits Bay, just a slight S’ly breeze to ripple the water. The evening had been restful, the Cape Reinga light reassuringly flashing every twelve seconds away to the west. I was in no hurry today, the forecast was for light winds so there was no need to run... Continue Reading →
First light in Whangaroa and it was hosing down, biblical style rain. I Let go of the mooring and motored down the harbour, slowly, the rain was so heavy visibility was reduced to just a few boat lengths. Once at the harbour entrance the rain reduced, replaced by a brisk NW’ly wind and lumpy sea.... Continue Reading →
After a slow but steady start from Mangonui on the afternoon of the 25th the wind died and I had to resort to motor, passing Cape Brett around midnight in calm seas. All the next day the wind teased me, alternating between scampering along under full sail to being becalmed and slatting sails. The motor was... Continue Reading →
An early start this morning in calm clear conditions. We picked up the anchor, motored out of Whangamumu harbour and up the coast towards Cape Brett. As we approached Cape Brett the birdlife increased, obviously some good food source for the birds around here. Cape Brett Lighthouse. Photo Ray Penson We passed close to Motukokako... Continue Reading →
Another wonderful sleeping night. Awoke this morning refreshed and looked out to a peaceful calm anchorage. Lots of boats in the anchorage, many of them preparing for a day’s fishing. We took breakfast in the cockpit, coffee with English muffins and my homemade grapefruit marmalade. The weather is warm now, looks like the New Zealand... Continue Reading →
I awoke early this morning - because I was cold - must find out where I stowed the blankets many months ago. It’s surprising that things can be hard to find on such a small boat. As today is a moving day an early start was not a bad thing. After a life restoring cup... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 