Balvenie

Balvenie is a 47ft cutter rigged sloop, designed by Des Townson and built in New Zealand in 1991. We (Mark and Amanda) left New Zealand in May 2004 to circumnavigate the world in what we thought would take about 5 years. 12 and a half years later we have arrived back in New Zealand, circumnavigation done Back out cruising in Northland then heading towards Auckland until March 2018, bring on the good weather ☺☺

Recent Updates

Posted: Tue, 22 Nov 2016 - 17:24

a sunny day at last, what a difference to the temperature being able to sit in the sun Much windier than expected overnight and most of today, looks like we are just starting to sail into the

Posted: Tue, 22 Nov 2016 - 08:32

376 to Opua

Posted: Mon, 21 Nov 2016 - 17:12

doing good time, seas have flattened considerably swell is around 1 metre with some wave chop on top Winds still variable, during the last hour between 12 and 20 true, tired of putting in reefs in

Posted: Mon, 21 Nov 2016 - 08:36

Posted: Sun, 20 Nov 2016 - 18:12

left North Minerva Reef at 7am yesterday (19th), 12 boats left the day before us, we were the 2nd to leave yesterday, all 12 remaining left before lunch Condtions have been variable, we have a

Posted: Sun, 20 Nov 2016 - 08:46

Posted: Sat, 19 Nov 2016 - 08:45

Posted: Fri, 18 Nov 2016 - 14:00

Moved yesterday afternoon down by the lighthouse in the south west corner Very good protection here, even at high tide quite comfortable Had another big reef walk yesterday, even got to walk on a

Posted: Thu, 17 Nov 2016 - 12:03

Fabulous spell of great weather contining at North Minerva Reef 1 single hander left yesterday, 1 more arrived, current count is now 26 We will move down by the lighthouse later today, rumour

Posted: Mon, 14 Nov 2016 - 11:30

It's another superb day at North Minerva Reef 2 yachts left, more arrived, current count is 19 We have moved across to the south east corner, waiting for the tide to drop more then off walkeling

Posted: Sat, 12 Nov 2016 - 16:06

Glorious day at Minerva Reef It's a holiday atmosphere here, stowed dinghies redeployed, everyone out snorkelling, reef walking, spear fishing We snorkelled the pass this morning, 6 sharks

Posted: Fri, 11 Nov 2016 - 12:57

completed 270 mile sail from Tongatapu to Minerva Reef Several others with us, all lined up to enter pass at first light! Trip on the wind, lots over boat day one, yesterday rather pleasant No

Posted: Thu, 10 Nov 2016 - 09:05

Posted: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 - 13:02

1300hrs still got cell coverage, left 0930. 15knots SSE, 1metre seas, bit bumpy as on the wind. Sunny skies, 3 others next to us, 3 in front, 3 behind. We got us a convoy!

Posted: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 - 07:14

50% cloud cover, 10 knots SSE. Today is the day we leave Tonga for Minerva Reef. The unofficial Big Mama's to North Minerva Rally about to begin, around 12 boats participating, 2 already slipped out

Posted: Tue, 8 Nov 2016 - 08:00

<p>Still in Tongatapu with 16 others. Latest plan is to leave Wednesday for Minerva. May leave later today if weather forecast has changed.  Light rain all night long, about 12 - 15 knots SE. </p>

Posted: Mon, 7 Nov 2016 - 08:13

Still at anchor in Pangimotu, Big Mamas. Up to 25 knots over last 20 hours, about 15 knots now. 100% cloud. Still waiting to leave.

Posted: Sat, 5 Nov 2016 - 13:44

Soggy Saturday afternoon. Lots of distant thunder and lightening overnight, no wind. Watertanks nearly full. No one has left, 2 more arrived

Posted: Fri, 4 Nov 2016 - 11:17

Trying again this morning. Previous had us doing 38knots on our way to New Caledonia, so trying to put us back in the anchorage at Big Mama's in Tongatapu. Warm & sunny, no wind

Posted: Tue, 1 Nov 2016 - 13:47

Still at Big Mamas Tongatapu. 50% Cloud, SE 8kts. 3 yachts left this morning for Minerva Reef. We are waiting for better (different!) weather window. GHR almost impossible to read this morning on

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Balvenie

Balvenie

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