Sweetwaters

Fri Sep 29 8:34 2017 NZDT
Speed:
6.5
knts
GPS: 36 55S 176 34E
Run: 149.9nm (271.3km)
Avg: 6.3knts
24hr: 150nm
Weather: 10WSW, 100%cc, 1010

Smelling the barn so get the welcome hug ready Michelle. 45nm to Tauaranga with eta 1700


Thu Sep 28 8:35 2017 NZDT
Speed:
7.5
knts
GPS: 34 45S 176 41E
Run: 184.5nm (333.9km)
Avg: 7.9knts
24hr: 190.4nm
Weather: SSW26, o/c, 1009

Sat phone now back in action. AWOB


Wed Sep 27 9:20 2017 NZDT
GPS: 32 23S 178 10E
Run: 181.3nm (328.2km)
Avg: 7.4knts
24hr: 176.6nm
Weather: 100% cloud cover, winds 32kts NNW gusting to 37kts. 1015 ha, sea rough, NW swell 2 metres

All well, temporary fix on Backstay, sailing ok although rough. Planned route is to head a bit towards north cape and then south towards Tauranga. ETA approx Saturday / Sunday all going well.


Tue Sep 26 8:41 2017 NZDT
Speed:
6.8
knts
GPS: 30 33S 179 38W
Run: 138.1nm (250km)
Avg: 5.7knts
24hr: 137.5nm
Weather: 1021, 40%cc, 8kt wind

on their way again. left Raoul yesterday morning


Mon Sep 25 8:35 2017 NZDT
GPS: 29 15S 177 53W

will leave Raoul within a couple of days when repairs complete for passage making.


Sat Sep 23 7:33 2017 NZST
GPS: 29 15S 177 53w
Run: 103.8nm (187.9km)
Avg: 4.3knts
24hr: 103.8nm
Weather: 20SW, 50%cc, rolly, 1013

Raoul island at anchor to sort out a few issues. Incl backstay. Calmer tomorrow


Fri Sep 22 7:34 2017 NZST
GPS: 29 38S 179 33W
Run: 173.5nm (314km)
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 173nm
Weather: wnw12, 60%, 1015

Hove to. Has a bit of weather to deal with. After the front will get sw but when that clears the wind will be more favourable


Thu Sep 21 7:30 2017 NZST
Speed:
7
knts
GPS: 27 23S 178 17W
Run: 288nm (521.3km)
Avg: 12knts
24hr: 288.3nm
Weather: 1015, 1005cc, WSW8, confused seas

all sounds good. Lance came through really clearly today. A bit of weather ahead.


Wed Sep 20 7:31 2017 NZST
Speed:
5.6
knts
GPS: 23 13S 178 21W
Run: 47nm (85.1km)
Weather: 50%cc, 1015, 2-3m WNW swell, 10-12 SSW, recent shower

decided to deal with the weather and on their way home


Tue Sep 19 7:24 2017 NZST
GPS: 23 39.721S 178 54.59W
Run: 469.6nm (850km)
Weather: 16SW, 40%cc, 1016

In Minerva heading south when the winds change probably next week.


Thu Jul 13 14:57 2017 NZST
GPS: 18 39.17958S 173 59.04090W
Run: 124nm (224.4km)
Avg: 4knts
24hr: 94.8nm
Weather: Bloody hot not sure but has to be 28c or more 10% cloud cover 1015 on the bar winds light and variable

On mooring at beluga dive club arrived 11pm last night cleared customs 0900 this morning had a great passage, looking forward to the first good nights sleep but only after a local meal with a few beverages.


Wed Jul 12 7:33 2017 NZST
Speed:
6.1m
knts
GPS: 19 53S 175 22W
Run: 177.9nm (322km)
Avg: 7.4knts
24hr: 178.1nm
Weather: 5SE, 10%cc, 1012

all well, nearing the end.


Tue Jul 11 7:35 2017 NZST
Speed:
8.1
knts
GPS: 21 42S 177 19W
Run: 169.4nm (306.6km)
Avg: 7.1knts
24hr: 169.7nm
Weather: SSW21, 50%cc, 1014

Left N Minerva yesterday and on their way to Vavauu.


Mon Jul 10 7:37 2017 NZST
GPS: 23 39.721S 178 54.59W
Run: 155.4nm (281.3km)
Avg: 3.2knts
24hr: 77.7nm
Weather: shwrs, 80%cc, 1014, 15g18W

4 boats in N Minerva. Two have been there for a week. One is going onto Fiji - the others to Tonga


Sat Jul 8 7:37 2017 NZST
Speed:
7.1
knts
GPS: 25 51S 179 29W
Run: 170.7nm (309km)
Avg: 7.1knts
24hr: 170.2nm
Weather: WSW15, 1015, 40%cc but dark behind, light-med seas

all well on board. great radio. Lance booms in.


Fri Jul 7 7:33 2017 NZST
Speed:
7.4
knts
GPS: 28 09S 179 30.398E
Run: 1104.5nm (1999.1km)
Avg: 46.1knts
24hr: 1107.2nm
Weather: 1015, NW16-20, 40%cc

eta in about 40 hrs - so Sunday. There are about 3 boats there in N Minerva at the moment


Thu Jul 6 7:37 2017 NZST
Speed:
7.6
knts
GPS: 16 06.599s 168 07.766e
Run: 1327nm (2401.9km)
Avg: 55.8knts
24hr: 1340.3nm
Weather: 16WSW, 1016, 40%cc

all well. Have had a lot of motor sailing and looking forward to wind picking up. great radio signal today. Sadly that meant the chinese fisherman are coming in too.


Wed Jul 5 7:51 2017 NZST
GPS: 33 12.3S 177 48.5E
Run: 171.1nm (309.7km)
Avg: 6.9knts
24hr: 165.5nm

heading 006T at 6.2kts motorsailing wind 203 at 8kts sea slight, everyone looking forward to some warm weather still in tracky's and jumpers


Tue Jul 4 7:02 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 35.46S 177 00.4E
Run: 143.6nm (259.9km)
Avg: 6.9knts
24hr: 164.9nm

had a good night averaging 6.5 kts with a nice sw wind of about 16kts. This morning we are heading 002 T at 7.1kts have 18kts from the sw 1.5mtr swell from the wnw 50% cloud cover and 1010 on the bar , hope our wind holds out for another day or so, looking forward to some warmer days.


Mon Jul 3 10:09 2017 NZST
GPS: 37 33.71S 176 11.33E
Run: 7.3nm (13.2km)

Left Tauranga 10:00 hrs under motor heading 010T at 7.0kts for Minerva reef wind variable 8kts sea slight nth swell 1mtr clear overhead 1005 on the bar hoping to pick up a bit of breeze late tonight.


Sun Jul 2 7:30 2017 NZST
GPS: 37 40S 176 10E
Run: 20.2nm (36.6km)

Loading up today Tauranga , clearing customs tomorrow 0900 for the kingdom of Tonga yahoo here we go


Fri Sep 30 7:34 2016 NZDT
GPS: 37 22.61694S 176 12.924209E
Run: 199.7nm (361.5km)
Avg: 8.7knts
24hr: 208.9nm

Winds easterly 22kts rain 100% could cover 1005 on the bar. Passing Mayor island nearly home , welcomed home to rain and cold winds What were we thinking lets turn around and go back haha.

Big thanks to David and Patricia for the great weather updates regards Lance and michelle


Thu Sep 29 8:37 2016 NZDT
Speed:
7ms
knts
GPS: 34 30S 176 33E
Run: 189.1nm (342.3km)
Avg: 7.9knts
24hr: 188.5nm
Weather: NNE4, 1005, 5%cc

eta Tauranga 1500 tomorrow. A really clever use of the weather for their route home


Wed Sep 28 8:33 2016 NZDT
Speed:
6.5
knts
GPS: 31 46S 176 42E
Run: 172.5nm (312.2km)
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 172.8nm
Weather: 13SW, 20%cc, 1003

thanks Anne on Sofia for the relay.


Tue Sep 27 8:36 2016 NZDT
Speed:
6.5
knts
GPS: 29 19S 176 09E
Run: 185.6nm (335.9km)
Avg: 7.6knts
24hr: 182.8nm
Weather: WNW8, 1002, 80%cc

via A train relay as they are now in my skip.


Mon Sep 26 8:14 2016 NZDT
Speed:
7.5
knts
GPS: 26 38S 176 17E
Run: 335.4nm (607.1km)
Avg: 7knts
24hr: 168.7nm
Weather: 18WSW, 10%cc, 1010,

great prpgres. Gt a bit of wind, up to 25kts in the front but short lived. The destination is now Tauranga.


Sat Sep 24 7:31 2016 NZST
Speed:
6
knts
GPS: 21 47S 176 27E
Run: 164.5nm (297.7km)
Avg: 6.9knts
24hr: 164.7nm
Weather: 80%cc, 1013, 12NE

good progress and all is well


Fri Sep 23 7:33 2016 NZST
Speed:
4.5m
knts
GPS: 19 25S 176 43E
Run: 126.3nm (228.6km)
Weather: SW5, 100%cc, 1013

on their way to opua. Will have a front sliding up to greet them but not a bad one.


Thu Sep 15 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 18 45.499S 178 31.205E
Run: 192.3nm (348.1km)

Completed our overnight trip from Fulanga. Now Anchored at Dravuni Island inside the Great Astrolabe Reef Kandavu. Winds ESE18-20 knots throughout trip. Great to have winds behind us! Sunny, minimum cloud cover. Lovely white sandy beaches and good hike this morning. 1 x yellowfin tuna!


Fri Sep 9 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 19 08.897S 178 34.029W
Run: 21.9nm (39.6km)

Arrived in Fulanga lagoon. Winds ESE 15-20 knots, especially windy at night. Overcast. Water Temp 24 degrees alot colder! Low lying island so winds blow all the time. Anchorages reasonably calm. Hosted by Sockie and Ba from main village, wonderful hospitality throughout our stay for 5 days. Caught 2 walu!


Wed Sep 7 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 18 50.82S 178 40.266W
Run: 11.8nm (21.4km)

Motor sailed down to Namuka I Lau Island, beautiful lagoon enclosed pointing to the NW, anchored in 3 metres of water off beautiful white sandy beach. Sunny, hot and clear skies calm anchorage. Paradise!


Tue Sep 6 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 18 40.764S 178 38.402W
Run: 35.1nm (63.5km)

overnight anchorage at Komo Island, winds 20knots ESE and rolly, not that pleasant nights sleep.


Mon Sep 5 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 18 12.61S 178 50.69W
Run: 71.5nm (129.4km)

Brisk sail down to Lakemba Island in the Southern Laus. Winds ESE 15-20 for most of the day, cloudy at times, showers on arrival. 1016ha

Caught a lovely short billed spearfish and mahimahi on the way, plenty of fish to share with the locals.


Fri Sep 2 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 17 11.20S 179 00.06W
Run: 1.1nm (2km)

Moved around to Bavatu Harbour on northern side, beautiful anchorage, sun is out again after a day of showers and rain. SE winds outside 15-20 knts. Sharing anchorage with 3 other boats.


Wed Aug 31 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 17 10.65S 179 00.93W
Run: 73.7nm (133.4km)

Motorsailed most of the way down to Vanua Balavu, Northern Laus, light air ESE, calm seas. Caught a nice mahimahi and breifly hooked a marlin on the way. Arrived Ships Cove Bay of Islands 4.30pm, good run. Clouding over, brief showers and SE Winds Strengthening. Sharing anchorage with "Hey Jude" Super Yacht.


Mon Aug 29 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 56.04S 179 53.890E
Run: 38.9nm (70.4km)

On a mooring at Paradise Resort, Vuna Point, Taveuni. Great hospitality, sunny, crystal clear water, calm.

Caught our first Wahoo in Fiji YUM!


Fri Aug 26 6:54 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 46.70613S 179 19.97755E
Run: 46.2nm (83.6km)

At Copra shed Savusavu ESE 6 kts sun up not a cloud in the sky 1017 on the bar stunning day


Sat Aug 20 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 26.71S 179 56.24E
Run: 16.5nm (29.9km)

Lovely anchorage in Albert Cove, Rambi Island, blue lagoon sheltered from SE winds, overcast with occasional periods of sunshine and a few showers.


Thu Aug 18 7:32 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 13.70S 179 50.06E
Run: 18.1nm (32.8km)

Anchored at Also Island, 100% cloud cover, occasional showers, winds SSE 15 knots. 1012 mb. Lay day today. All well.


Tue Aug 16 17:44 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 13.50S 179 33.71E
Run: 31.5nm (57km)

Anchored Vango Bay off the point and Tutu Island, weather wet, winds SE 3 knots 100% cloud cover. Travelled outside the great reef today, caught a small black marlin, 2 barrcuda, fish for dinner YUM!


Mon Aug 15 0:00 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 14.08S 179 05.20E
Run: 15.6nm (28.2km)

anchored at Kia Island, beautiful sunny. SE winds 10-15 knots, barracuda for dinner!, Whale visited us in the bay.


Fri Aug 12 9:06 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 24.58260S 179 14.07553E
Run: 52.7nm (95.4km)

At Anchor Palmlea resort 50% cloud cover se 8-10kts


Wed Aug 10 7:51 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 51.8S 178 35.734E
Run: 0.1nm (0.2km)
Weather: SE17, 1014,

Hard to hear as the japanese fishing fleet has found it great to broadcast on 8753 which is rather close to 8752 - and they have lots of power! Good to hear Michelle though.


Sun Aug 7 6:14 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 51.88852S 178 35.73473E
Run: 74.7nm (135.2km)

At anchor Lekubi pt Vanua Levu 100% cloud cover light rain winds se 25 with gusts to 35 in squalls not a very nice morning 1011 on the bar


Sun Jul 31 8:03 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 50.86138S 177 28.01076E
Run: 9.2nm (16.7km)

At Anchor Sawa i lau island winds ese 16-20kts 1014 bar 70% cloud cover


Thu Jul 28 7:52 2016 NZST
GPS: 16 56.52860S 177 22.17674E
Run: 11.5nm (20.8km)

At anchor nanuya-sewa (blue lagoon) winds 15 e 10% cloud cover 1015 bar


Tue Jul 26 8:03 2016 NZST
GPS: 17 04.979S 177 16.619E
Run: 48.3nm (87.4km)

At anchor Somosomo bay 10% cloud cover winds 15kts from 150T


Sat Jul 23 7:14 2016 NZST
GPS: 17 46.62381S 177 11.37377E
Run: 85.7nm (155.1km)

At anchor at Malolo island sunny ,hot 3 knots of se wind


Mon Jul 18 7:36 2016 NZST
Speed:
5-7ms
knts
GPS: 19 01S 177 11E
Run: 324.8nm (587.9km)
Avg: 6.8knts
24hr: 162.2nm
Weather: 7SSE, light cloud, 20%, 1017

great progress


Sat Jul 16 7:33 2016 NZST
Speed:
6.2m
knts
GPS: 23 36S 176 04E
Run: 182.4nm (330.1km)
Avg: 24.1knts
24hr: 579.5nm
Weather: 20%cc, calm to S swell, 1019, 9SSE

good progress and all is well.


Sat Jul 16 0:00 2016 NZST
Speed:
7.6 knts
knts
GPS: 21 07S 177 02E
Run: 327.2nm (592.2km)
Avg: 19.9knts
24hr: 476.7nm
Weather: sunny and hot light 15kt south easterly

speed 7.6 knots, course 353T, nice day 15 kts of se sunny and hot...


Fri Jul 15 7:31 2016 NZST
Speed:
6.7
knts
GPS: 25 43S 175 49E
Run: 343.3nm (621.4km)
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 171.7nm
Weather: 16S, 10%cc, swellSE 1.5m choppy

front went thru about 2am last night


In shorts and Ts now, hot as, water temp 23 degrees, sunny day and light southerlys


Wed Jul 13 7:31 2016 NZST
Speed:
7.8
knts
GPS: 30 41S 175 44E
Run: 196.8nm (356.2km)
Avg: 8.8knts
24hr: 211.5nm
Weather: 16SE, 50%cc, 1019

great radio signal now that they are above 30S. Sounds like a much better sail today.


Tue Jul 12 9:11 2016 NZST
GPS: 33 28.6S 175 05.0E
Run: 145.7nm (263.7km)
Avg: 8.8knts
24hr: 211.9nm

course 345T travelling at a speed of 7.5 knots at 7.46am


Mon Jul 11 16:41 2016 NZST
GPS: 35 32.612S 175 35.472E
Run: 150.2nm (271.9km)

Departing NZ enroute to Fiji. Speed 9.2 knots, course 340 magnetic, breezy, up to 42 knots of SE at times 4-5 metre swells, flying!


Thu Oct 8 17:34 2015 NZDT
GPS: 37 40s 176 10e
Run: 184.9nm (334.7km)
Avg: 5.4knts
24hr: 130.2nm

Arrived Safely Tauranga Bridge Marina cleared customs 8am


Wed Oct 7 7:29 2015 NZDT
Speed:
6.8
knts
GPS: 35 05s 175 18e
Run: 95.8nm (173.4km)
Avg: 8.7knts
24hr: 209.7nm
Weather: 12knts SE

Feeling the cold! ETA 9am Tomorrow Tauranga!


Tue Oct 6 20:31 2015 NZDT
Speed:
6.5
knts
GPS: 33 49s 174 37e
Run: 78.4nm (141.9km)
Avg: 6.6knts
24hr: 157.2nm

No wind and flat calm ETA late Thursday Motorsailing


Tue Oct 6 8:33 2015 NZDT
Speed:
4.9
knts
GPS: 32 44s 174 13e
Run: 69.1nm (125.1km)
Avg: 5.2knts
24hr: 123.9nm

light winds now slowing down. Will be motor sailing home in these conditions


Mon Oct 5 19:10 2015 NZDT
Speed:
6.5
knts
GPS: 31 44s 174 13e
Run: 80.2nm (145.2km)
Avg: 7.5knts
24hr: 180.7nm

They had a nice day today and starting to feel the cold!!! Lance said they had to scramble for some warm clothing and shake all the mould and other things that had been hidden for months.


Naturally, there was no sympathy from the radio operator still shivering the Far North-haha. From Annette Far North Radio


Mon Oct 5 8:30 2015 NZDT
Speed:
5.2
knts
GPS: 30 40S 173 41E
Run: 90.7nm (164.2km)
Avg: 2.8knts
24hr: 66.9nm
Weather: 15W, light to mod seas, 10%cc

thanks to Seeker for relay


Sun Oct 4 0:00 2015 NZDT
GPS: 29 26S 173 10E
Run: 144.1nm (260.8km)
Avg: 10knts
24hr: 239nm

southerly coming


Sat Oct 3 9:31 2015 NZDT
Speed:
6.8
knts
GPS: 27 52S 171 36E
Run: 25.9nm (46.9km)
Avg: 28.7knts
24hr: 687.9nm
Weather: S25 g30, choppy 1m seas

had front go thru a couple of hours ago. ETA Wed in Tauranga


Sat Oct 3 8:37 2015 NZDT
GPS: 27 48S 171 11E
Run: 61nm (110.4km)
Avg: 7.1knts
24hr: 169.7nm

4.5 knts, expecting a strong southerly front to pass through bringing 25-30 knots from the south on the nose, will slow progress.


Sat Oct 3 0:00 2015 NZDT
GPS: 28 29S 171 49E
Run: 213.3nm (386.1km)
Avg: 13.9knts
24hr: 332.9nm

if weather keeps up will be in long shorts!


Fri Oct 2 8:37 2015 NZDT
Speed:
7.6
knts
GPS: 25 32S 170 48E
Run: 87.6nm (158.6km)
Avg: 96.6knts
24hr: 2317.4nm
Weather: 18ESE, 1m swell E, 70%cc,

all going well


Fri Oct 2 7:43 2015 NZDT
Speed:
7
knts
GPS: 24 16s 170 47e
Run: 79nm (143km)
Avg: 3.4knts
24hr: 81.9nm

All ok


Thu Oct 1 8:34 2015 NZDT
Speed:
7.3
knts
GPS: 23 11S 170 23E
Run: 93.8nm (169.8km)
Avg: 2.9knts
24hr: 69.1nm
Weather: ese 15-18

l


Wed Sep 30 0:00 2015 NZDT
GPS: 21 58S 169 44E
Run: 27.9nm (50.5km)
Avg: 18.6knts
24hr: 446.4nm

Tue Sep 29 22:30 2015 NZDT
Speed:
5.3
knts
GPS: 21 36s 169 33e
Run: 95.1nm (172.1km)
Avg: 1001.1knts
24hr: 24025.3nm

Motorsailing


Tue Sep 29 22:24 2015 NZDT
Speed:
5.2
knts
GPS: 20 19S 169 01E
Run: 79.3nm (143.5km)
Avg: 6.4knts
24hr: 152.9nm

Slow going on the nose. Nearly along side Anatom Island tacking to the east at 5.2 knots wind 142deg and 14kts, all well, having roast rooster for dinner


Tue Sep 29 9:57 2015 NZDT
Speed:
4.7
knts
GPS: 19 18S 168 27E
Run: 9.3nm (16.8km)
Avg: 6.5knts
24hr: 154.9nm

All well, light and variable winds last night motor sailed till 11pm and been under sail since. speed 4.7kts, wind 098 at 8.5knts 20% cloud cover


Tue Sep 29 8:31 2015 NZDT
Speed:
7
knts
GPS: 19 26S 168 28E
Run: 104.6nm (189.3km)
Avg: 6.2knts
24hr: 148.5nm
Weather: SE12, 20%cc

on passage to tauranga from P Vila with great radio signal and thanks from GHR for relay


Mon Sep 28 15:37 2015 NZDT
Speed:
6.8
knts
GPS: 17 56s 168 15e
Run: 13.7nm (24.8km)
Weather: wind 092 slight to moderate se chop

Departed port vila en-route to Tauranga nz eta approx wednesday the 7th october


Mon Sep 21 17:04 2015 NZST
GPS: 17 44.629s 168 18.766e
Run: 8.6nm (15.6km)

Anchored in Port Vila


Thu Sep 17 15:48 2015 NZST
Speed:
5.2
knts
GPS: 17 44s 168 11e
Run: 106.4nm (192.6km)
Weather: ESE 17 knots, mostly overcast, occasional light showers

Heading into Vila for next few days waiting for weather window to head back to NZ


Mon Sep 14 19:45 2015 NZST
GPS: 16 12.422s 167 58.376e
Run: 47.2nm (85.4km)

anchored in behind the point at Ranwoponte pt Ambrym nice anchorage in se winds


Sun Sep 13 13:21 2015 NZST
GPS: 15 32.704s 168 08.828e
Weather: Strong SE winds, gusting 26 knots at times

Anchored

Heading southwards towards Port Vila in next week.


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