March 12, 2016… No internet access so no pictures. Sorry. We left Wellington this morning and made it across the Cook Straight to the South Island. It was quite a ride. While the wind was less than 10 knots most of the way, the seas were HUGE with occasional swells that we estimate to be 20 feet high. This was most likely caused by the up to seven knots of current against the swells (and us). At one point we sealed up the boat, put on harnesses and strapped on incase Legacy was rolled. We were braced for seven knots coming into Tory Channel and there was a measly 1.5 knots with us. We’re now anchored in Jackson’s Bay. Smooth, flat and quiet. Nice. -Rich
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Glad We’re in a Berth
March 10, 2016
60+ Knots!!!!!
Chaffer’s Marina, Wellington
Someone Woke the Monster
March 8, 2016
OK, you know who you are. Come clean. Who woke the monster? Don’t play all innocent with us… you know what monster… the roaring forties weather monster!
This wasn’t in the forecast when we left Napier for the Marlborough Sounds, then it was, but we thought we could beat it. Nope. Not with the 20 miles we lost yesterday to adverse current. It was looking like we’d end up right in the middle of this as we crossed the notoriously rough Cook Straight.
We did what all cowardly sailors like ourselves do at times like these: ducked in to a safe harbor for coffee and pizza!
We’re now anchored off Somas Island in Wellington Harbor. We got in at midnight! We have already arranged a spot in the marina right in the heart of this incredible city. We’ll move in an hour or two – after a leisurely breakfast and MORE COFFEE!
It looks like the next good window for crossing to the South Island is either tomorrow or a week from now. Tomorrow doesn’t give us time for enough pizza and Wellington’s famous coffee. Guess which weather window we’ll choose. -Rich
Roaring Forties
March 6, 2016
We’re on our way to the South Island and in the roaring forties.
This is a notorious area of the Southern Ocean where wind, waves and storms gallop around the globe, unabated by land masses. Shhhh! Don’t wake the beast. So far, it’s smooth and flat!
Hopefully it’ll stay that way for another day or more. We are cruising down the coast of the North Island of New Zealand and it’ll hopefully block the worst of what the ocean can do down here. The break between the two islands that we must cross, the Cook Straight, might not be so calm. Keep your fingers crossed for us! -Rich