Bravado
Avg: 8knts
24hr: 192.2nm
Welcomed to NZ by dolphins this evening. great sail past Nth Cape once Westerly kicked in at 1530. Swell gone & reaching down coast, lookin to be stunning sunset soon, no clouds, last night at sea and it looks to be a beaut. All crew looking forward to seeing their loved ones at Marsden tomorrow mid-day.
Avg: 7.4knts
24hr: 177.5nm
Sailed till 0230 then motor sailed into headwinds & 2 m swells. Our world has now been on an angle for 5 days.
All looking forward to level land. Closest land only 1 km away but unfortunately its straight down & we dont want to go there.... Next land 69 nm to Nth Cape.
All well onboard. ETA Marsden aprox Wed noon.
Yay, so nearly home. So happy
Yay, that's much better
<p>Hey guys!</p>
Avg: 5.8knts
24hr: 140.1nm
Headwinds straight out from Langs Beach, thanks Shirl....Pushing 2kn tide this afternoon so motor sailing in 2 m rollers most of the day and into tonight. Seas bit sloppy . Roast Chicken Dinner on the go... Cloudless sky now.
All well onboard.
Avg: 8.1knts
24hr: 193.8nm
Good SW winds of 14-18kn last night had us reaching at 7-8 kn through the night. At 0500 an unexpected rain squall got the crew up & motivated us to reef quickly. Great crew work. Blue sky with cumulus clouds to windward, looks like a bumpy, great day ahead.. 300 n miles to Go All well onboard
Hello salty sailors. Trust
Going great guns guys. Good
Avg: 6.6knts
24hr: 158.8nm
Beautiful sailing most of day in light winds and sunny Sky. Boys powering through novels, lots of relaxing & snoozing going on. Heading into 4th night at sea and all aboard happy. Light head winds forcast for the rest of the trip. 380 n miles to go. ETA still Marsden Wednesday all going to plan....
Great to hear all well with
Great to talk to you this
Nice one, going well 👍🏼😄
Avg: 5.6knts
24hr: 134.9nm
Motorsailed straight into it last night with quite a few bangs to keep us on our toes. Wax earplugs resulted in good sleep for all off watch despite the movement.
Suns out on a beautiful morning and all onboard are feeling good.
Passed 1/2 way mark yesterday.
Expect to sail later this morn as wind clocks through Sth to SW as we get closer to this high.
.Thanks for your YIT messages and big thanks to Kingsley for accurate weather routing info.
Great to hear you are over
Yay past the half way mark x
Avg: 6.3knts
24hr: 152.3nm
Big difference going into tonight. 18kn head winds and 2.5m seas with sharp wind chop on top has us banging & into it. Wind & seas should ease tonight we trust as we are heading towards a high.... Holding on and having Chilli Concarne for dinner.
Crew all O.K
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 173.1nm
Left Code 0 up till 0300 in calm star lit night with bright phosphorescence. Good sleep for everyone and shifts went quick.
Luckily performance of crew improved before Captains review meeting with 1 x tuna landed and 1 x Huge Blue Marlin dropped (phew) after spectacular hookup 25m from stern. The hookup occurred as Robbie was discarding the eggshells from breakfast...Burley ??? Now motoring in 8kn NW cloud getting lower by the hr..... 1/3 of the way home. Crew happy.
Keep the speed up Al.
Wow guys, way to go! I had
Avg: 28.3knts
24hr: 680.1nm
Beautiful day today reaching in 8 - 17kn.NE Sun & Code 0 out all day and its still real warm here. Lots of reading and snoozing happening among the crew. Seas dropped & real comfortable now.
Lots of bird life but No Fish...Crew performance review scheduled AM tomorrow if this does not improve...
Front expected over us at midnight tonight.
Now 219nm fm Ilse des Pins, 658nm to go to Whangarei heads....
Evening Bravado crew,
Avg: 3.6knts
24hr: 86.3nm
All good aboard after 1st night at sea with thunder lightening all around us. We dodged the rain cells thru the night to aviod getting zapped. Good sailing, bit bumpy and winds up & down.
Doing 0800 8752 sched so look out GH Radio, just need a weather guru and we are in business...
Hey guys sounds great looks
Dinner on the go bit bumpy out here on the start of the first night. Great days sail doing 8kn plus with True Blue then passing Eerie Spirit..
3 POB Ground Control to Major Tom, Anchors up & Jackets on.
Left Ilse des Pins 1000 NZ daylight time.
True Blue left same time as us.
Great start to trip to NZ...warm breeze & romping along.
Weather: E 20-25 100% Cloud & Rain. Baro 1015
Hoping to leave Ilse des Pins maybe Wednesday as soon as this low departs and winds abate. All good onboard, stores running low and beer rationing is in full force. Trading with others in bay has us with fresh ginger crunch and date loaf swapped 4 caned butter. Good score for the boys..
6 yachts waiting with us. Movie & book day in the rain...
Maybe I could sell you a
It's looking like Wednesday/Thursday departure from here now. Thanks David & Patricia for the great weather insights.
Rigged furling inner forestay & test sailed yesterday. Great weather here at present.
<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>Hi Guys, </p>
Back afloat after leaving Bravado on Marina at Noumea for 12 days & returning to NZ. During which time someone stole entire ignition assembly from outboard ...so no outboard ....At Ile des Pins now after nice sail fm Noumea. Waiting weather window for trip to NZ
Hey Dad, watching for your
Ilse of Pines , Kuto. Shirl saw her 1st Dugon when we were enjoying the sunset in beanbags on forward deck last night. Too quick for a pic. Lots of big Remora's (sucker fish) under Bravado enjoying our scraps..
Great place for beach walks...
Anchored Baie Ue. Paddle Boarded up interesting River at head of bay at full tide yesterdsy. Heading to Isle Casy today to feed resident Dog today
Ilot Bailly , Tucked in behind beautiful island in (Nature Reserve). Left moving it a bit late after fresh provisioning at Noumea this morn. Breeze builds mid morning & up to 20kn hard on nose so stopped 1/2 way.
Ilse Maitre. Nature reserve so lots of big fish in clear water around free moorings. Here with Fusio & Sharpe Focus. Lots of laughs & sundowners last night with everyone. .Elliotts dominate this beautiful spot. Sundowners booked on Bravado tonight....
Baye Maa. Nice bay .Prob stay till Monday. Real calm here tonight.. Great sail here today in 8-10kn. Yep ...code 0 again.
At Ilot Maitre moorings with
Ile Ndukue . Big explore mission in dinghy around surrounding reefs & islands. Brilliant corals lots of turtles & big black tip shark.
Excellent sail up coast in 12-20kn., yea yea...code 0 again.. Calm sunny morning with Baie des Moustiques to ourselves..
Ilot Casy . Picked up regional park mooring, ashore for sundowners & was met by & fed Moose the dog, the sole resident. He took us for guided walk around island on excellent well maintained tracks. Cool spot.
Ilot Mato. One of our favorites. Climbed to top for best ever views. Mirror calm, so paddle boarded around outer reef. Big shark followed Shirl for a while... Lots of Turtles. & small black tip sharks in shallows. Beers w Sharp Focus in evening.
Ilse Ua. Great Snorkelling & Paddleboarding at another beautiful anchorage in sand..Lots of small sharks in the shallows & snakes ashore.
Anchored behind Ilse Kouare in Southern Lagoon on sand in 7m of water as clear as Gin. Spectacular coral. Lots of snakes ashore.
In Kudo , beautiful beach & heaps of large turtles popping up in the calm anchorage. Ashore last night for sundowners & dinner at beachside Hotel Kou-Bugny for the worst & rudest service. Deena & Brad off on ferry this evening after excellent week together.
Another beautiful anchorage, Ilse Brosse. Sundowners ashore last night . Hand feeding friendly Ramora's that think we are their mother ship...
Sailed around top of Ilse of Pines. Dropped Deenz & Brad off in dinghy on east coast to explore Baye de Gadji & met them on the west side....
Baie De Ugo or Oro ?? Anchored in paradise. Deenz & Brad off exploring in dinghy. Here for a few days till Westerly dies...Couldnt get much better than this...
Great 10 hr sail fm Noumea in light winds yesterday to Ilse of Pines. Brad & Deenz arrived on 0930 ferry this morn . Good to catch up .Stunning day of swimming & enjoying the sun..
Up early , off to fresh fruit & vegie markets, then immigration, then supermarket, then pack & be ready to leave for Isle o pines early tomorrow....no rest for the wicked....Good to be here...
Avg: 7.6knts
24hr: 182.5nm
Entering Havanah Pass. New Cal.. Motoring into head SW winds last night but only 8-11 kn. Motorsailig now. Clearing in later today. Yeee haaaa....
<p>Hey guys! Welcome to New
Avg: 8knts
24hr: 192.9nm
Yesterday another great day of Code 0 sailing in 12-18 kn, shared between Otto Von Helm and Capt Al. Wind died off to 5 kn by 0100 this morning so turned on Viki Vulva ( Motor) for what may appear to be the rest of the run to Noumea..
ETA Havanah Pass dawn tomorrow....
Avg: 8.6knts
24hr: 206.3nm
Day 3 now and its turned out to be fantastic passage. Yesterday morning Day2 calmed off and we had 10- 17 kn allowing some great Code 0 sailing in the morning. 8-9 kn 2 sail reaching into the evening. Great sunset then big moon. Lots of sleep last night for the capt and admiral. The seas have calmed down to 1-1.5m. Wind at 120deg and 12knSE, ideal.... Code 0 up again letting admiral off to after long morning shift..
Avg: 7.7knts
24hr: 185.4nm
Sloppy 1st night with a few cockpit focused waves in 18-22 kn. Full moon made it bearable. 2 reefs in main & headsail for night. Wind eased to 13-15 this morning. Suns out. 2 POB all well
Leaving Fiji. Heading to New Cal . Stunning day today 6 kn SE.
In Sawini Bay getting a shower of sugar cane fire ash , Checked back in to customs, looking at leaving later this week for New Cal........
Back at Denarau Marina .Getting everything ready for 1100km trip to New Cal, prob leaving Fri/Sat weather permitting.
Musket Cove for last night w Phil & Colleen. Brilliant week up to Yasawas and back. Great crew & lots of fun & I think the boys are still better at 500 than the girls...
Another stunner day yesterday w no wind . Ashore for beach walk & to visit Lisa's stingray & tell it how good her foot had healed since it stabbed her in 2013...couldn't find it..... Had great snorkel in pass at hi tide with Manta Rays and huge bait schools . After the other boats left we found the Rays again circling a school of fish on the surface and doing underwater back flips. We had our own private show. Skurfing at sundown in mirror calm topped off another great day.
Motored up Waya to Octopus. Another stunning windless day with 10kn S in afternoon. Swims then ashore for sundowners and dinner with Phil & Colleen. This is another beautiful anchorage....we bit sloppy at night.
In Navandra for night. Great sail in perfect Code 0 conditions to get here. Cloudless sky... Lots of swims in Luke warm clear water and good walks ashore.. This is a beautiful place. Became uncomfortable and squally for a period at night. Calm again by morn....
On Denarau Marina. Supplies & New batteries stowed & installed. . Very social life on the marina.... Phil & Colleen arrive today. Heading out tomorrow....
Arrived al Longick Bay ( for the lack of another name) at 1645 after great trip fm Leluvia in 15-23 kn. inside the reef. Great very sheltered anchorage.
Up early & off to Saweni Bay or Denarau today, in oily calm conditions at present.
Said our goodbuys to Vulanga & host family, were fed ,entertained & drank Kava, given presents and hugs. Also farewell to Blinder for a little while. Loved the card games in the rain, snorkeling the pass & the Blue holes.
Now at Leluvia after boisterous o/night sail fm Vulanga. Arrived here in rain squalls and 20-25kn SE.
Still grey and rainy. Early to bed as didn't sleep last night.
Rain Rain go away, we have had enough of you for today. Rained & Blew since Saturday. Looking to clear sometime today and slowly improve from here. Postponed village Sevusevu due to rain deluges but will prob do it later today with Blinder. Sky on the ESE horizon looking like lifting at last.
Avg: 4.7knts
24hr: 112.5nm
moaning about lack of sunshine!
Hi Al and Shirl,
Arrived 0745 Falanga, or Vulanga Is in Southern Lao. Enjoyable sail yesterday in 10-14Kn, East backing NE overnight easing in early hrs so motorsailed. Once safely in the narrow reef pass it was well worth the effort. What an unreal stunning location housed in a huge aqua blue lagoon. We can now see why boats come here for months.....
Qamea Is, NW Anchorge, stunning day, walk ashore, white sandy beach, blue warm water, yacht friendly locals, what more could you wish for. Dinghy on deck ready for early 0700 sail to Fulanga. ETA 0700 Sat.
Matagi Is anchored in wot appears to be an beautiful old volcanic crater. Oh well, more snorkeling , paddle boarding & exploring ...then cards & yelling w Blinder..
Stocked up again at Savusavu this morn then motor sailed with Code 0 to Fawn Harbour in lovely calm seas & 6-9 kn breeze. Now at anchor in afternoon rain shower.... off in morn to Taveuni and Qamea Is with Blinder.
Away at last from the ease of life on a Copra Shed Berth. 10 days of being 5 m from the Copra SHed Bar , delivery meals to our cockpit, fresh fruit & vegie market & real social friendly scene...So easy to stay another day but great to be back at anchor. Blinder arrived yesterday so now waiting weather window to head SE.
Avg: 6.5knts
24hr: 155.2nm
Arrived 0530 Savusavu, Fiji. Enjoyable broad reach yesterday in 14-20Kn, overnight bit light, died off 0330 so motored last 2 hrs. Napping now & awaiting customs clearance. Good passage, will done Shirl xxxx
Welcome to Fiji ! looking
Avg: 7.7knts
24hr: 185.1nm
Great night ,motored all night in light winds. Awoke this morn to grey skies and rain squalls around us. Seas now confused 1.5m. Bout to set sail again once rain squall passes. Pilot house sailors try not to get too wet, Are we soft or wise, or both ?.... ETA Savusavu Monday morn. All well onboard
Departed Vavau 1730 last evening heading Savusavu. 2 POB. Wind variable with good reaching up to 10kn boat speed to periods of motoring. Main up & down last night lots. Overcast but lovely bright night. All well onboard.
By net time they reported cloud 70%. And wind 12SSE. No shwrs.
Lisa Beach #10 & tied back to trees ashore. Oily Calm & beautiful here. Paddle boarding and big walk ashore planned for today..
Neiafu Harbour for Kings Birthday &Independence Day Yacht race last night. Good fleet of 20 yachts. We got start wrong by so had to go around & back over line.... started behind fleet.....Won Race by 4 1/2 min. Great night ashore at Mangos.
Back in Port Maurelle . Kings Birthday today so everyone gets a holiday....us too.
Pau Is for great day ashore on sandpit w Carlie Alan & Cody . Stunning anchorage.
Nuku Is. Great afternoon swimming & playing ashore This anchorage is what screen-savers of tropical islands are all about...
Looks fabulous so happy for
Hunga Lagoon. Walked to Village w Alan & Cody for a bit of culture, passion fruit & coconut trades. Less than 1m under keel on narrow entry,
Into Neiafu. Collected Carlie Alan & Grandson Cody (2) fm airport. Great 2 see them all well. Not sure who was the most excited, Shirl or Cody... Off to Port Maurelle for swims.
Arrived Port Maurelle at sundown. Beautiful Night, Calm Anchorage. Good to be in Vava'u again. Off to Neiafu today to extend Visas and do crazy cruising permit again.
Hi guys, sounds great,
Avg: 2.5knts
24hr: 60.3nm
Arrived Port Maurelle at sundown. Beautiful Night, Calm Anchorage. Good to be in Vava'u again. Off to Neiafu today to extend Visas and do crazy cruising permit again.
Enroute Ha'apai to Vava'u. Great to be sailing again.
Still in NE Corner of Pangai by Airstrip. Awaiting E or SE for nice sail to Vava'u. Expect to leave in next day of so.
Walking to airport in rain to make sure Bub & Gra get on the plane & take this horrid wet weather back to NZ with them. Rain stopping today. Very Good Anchorage in the NE blow.
Moved to NE Corner of Pangai by Airstrip. 4 boats here. Good anchorage in NE winds. Looks like a lot of rain & wind coming in next 18hrs so its cards, books & movie time today.
Got a couple good shots of
Tucked in a bit further along beach. Hiding from the predicted NE as front goes thru in next few days. Sunny between showers. Beautiful beach ashore. Shirl flies in today..
Great sail to Uoleva but alas this year, no pirate party to greet us. Now at Foa, ashore for sundowners. Stunning anchorage, worth zooming in on this one. Prob here till the Shirl the Admiral arrives on Wednesday
Avg: 2.9knts
24hr: 68.5nm
Uoleva , clear warm water & large friendly barracuda hanging around Bravado made us look b4 jumping in.
Enjoyed Kelefecia anchorage last night again. Up early & heading 4 Ha'apai's b4 the wind gets up.. Would like more South in todays wind please. Looks like a day hard on the wind....I didnt order this on my trip.. Bub settling after calling to "Ralf" yesterday....
BACK TO kAELEFESIA TODAY
Dropped boys off & topped Diesel up. Dinner at Big Mumma's. Nice & calm anchorage
Pinch and punch for 1st of
Left Kelefecia, sloppy anchorage this morn, heading Nuku'alofa for crew swap & provisions. Murf & Mark off, Bub on tomorrow. Nice day for a sail.
moved to Oua yesterday, caught tuna on the way (as usual)
I arrive Wed 1.20pm Tonga
One other boat here at Namuka where they are tucked in
Looks amazing, enjoy x
had a great saill up yesterday and looking forward to being in the water today. great radio signal
anchored at Namuka after great sail up yesterday
Avg: 7.3knts
24hr: 174.7nm
Yesterday was SW 10-13kn, Code 0 only sailing in big swells 4-5m. Motored all night in easing seas. Another bright moonlit night and what looks like a beautiful day ahead, Now Arriving at Tongatapu about to go thru Egeria Channel. Not a splash of salt water on deck and the fruitbowl stayed on the cockpit table the whole 1180 nm trip fm NZ.
Yep the moon was just what
Wow, sounds great, all good
Avg: 5.3knts
24hr: 127.7nm
Left for Nuku'alofa @ 1400 in 20kn SW slowly dying to 8-12 kn. Big following sea 4-5m with messy 1m confused top chop made for an uncomfortable night motorsailing. Full Moon was good. Cottage Pie was great. All Well.
Calm sunny day yesterday for more awesome snorkelling @Nth Minerva. Anchored in NW cnr. Interesting morning when at 0330 - 25-35kn NW & rain visited us.
Leaving for Nuku'alofa mid morning , expected arrival Tuesday AM.
Shirl's with me and guiding
Avg: 5knts
24hr: 119.6nm
Superb snorkel for the morning in lagoon of Sth Minerva then motored 20nm to Nth Minerva. Caught Tunas & GT enroute in smooth seas & sunny skys.
Hi guys founds like you are
Sounds awesome team, great to
Yet another great day reaching in beautiful conditions 08-14kn SE. Ran Code 0 all day and arrived Mineva Sth 1600. Caught 2 Tuna but Murfs knot gave one to the sharks.
Living the dream .... All
Avg: 7.3knts
24hr: 175.9nm
Yet another great day & night reaching in beautiful conditions. 08-14kn SE. Ran Code 0 all day & thru the night.
Even though it boys only delivery a chick turned up on deck last night. I thought it was a Surefooted Big Breasted Brown Boobie but Tony W will have to confirm fm our photos. As you would expect, she shat all over the windows & left this morning without any thankyou. We are all defriending her from facebook.
ETA Sth Minerva 1600 .
Glad u hv reached yr happy
Hi there ! I guess you are
I just talked to Shirl.
Hi, dogs fine, cats fine and
Morning Al, Graeme, Murray &
Pages
Avg: 7.7knts
24hr: 185.7nm
Another great day reaching & running in beautiful conditions. 13-19kn Sw backing to SE. Poled out headsail till evening . All well onboard enjoying TV series "Black Sails". Dying breeze had us motoring again till 0230. SE 12-15kn gave us a great predawn starlit sail.
ETA Minerva tomorrow late.
Later at GHRadio sked time. We talked to Al. Fantastic radio signal.
Hello there brother, sounds
Yup I agree with Gill, sounds
Wow even I think I could
Avg: 7.3knts
24hr: 175.3nm
Turned Mtr off at 0830 ,Ran Code 0 doing 7kn in 8.5kn breese till 1230 then back to motoring in calm seas and fine skys. 0230 broke out code 0 again. All good onboard.
Loving the updates, miss you
You left at right time,
Avg: 7.6knts
24hr: 182.8nm
Motored most of yesterday in calm seas & blue skys and last night throughout the most amazing mirror calm starlit night. 2.5m swells rolling fm SW in last 1/2 hr. Hope breese builds soon. All good onboard.
Great updates and happy all
Nice 1st night at sea , motorsailed till 0500. All good onboard.
Yahoo you beauty! I havent a
Had a pleasant night, with mostly light winds, motored a bit. 150mile day.
Avg: 11.1knts
24hr: 267.2nm
Nice 1st night at sea , motorsailed till 0500. All good onboard.
Ignore last post. setting up stuff & pressed the oops button.
Great day , nice sunset, code 0 up, dinner in oven, crew happy
Gulf Harbour Radio deleted it
Al...you did it again...left
Sounds awesome, just need muz
Cleared customs & leaving NZ, stunning day , motoring over mirror calm seas, heading for Minerva.
Final loading at Akl Viaduct for departure fm Auckland on Sat Morning heading Tonga via Minerva.
Sounds awesome. See you on
Sail safe! See u on 1 June.
Tight lines, safe journey,
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Welcome Home, Haere,Haere
Well done Al and crew. We