Desolina

Desolina

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Desolina is Wauquiez Pretorien, a 35 foot fibreglass sloop. She was built in France and spent most of her life in the states before being soloed over to New Zealand where her current owners Dave and Ruth bought her. She is based out of Wellington, although will be cruising around New Zealand starting early 2015.

Find out more at svdesolina.blogspot.co.nz

Recent Updates

Desolina - May 21, 2015
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Anchored outside Russell after a couple of nice days cruising near Kerikeri. Back to Opua Marina for a couple of nights while a weather front passes over. Plus we have eventually fixed our MacBook ... Read More
Desolina - May 21, 2015
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Back cruising around the Bay of Islands after a week off the boat. Had a nice afternoon walking around Marsden Cross before dropping the anchor off Moturoa Island for the night.

Desolina - May 21, 2015
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In Opua marina where we are leaving Desolina for a few days while we fly back down to Wellington for a wedding.

Desolina - May 4, 2015
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A short sail in perfect conditions to Paradise Bay off Urupukapuka Island. Will probably stay around the island for a few days, exploring all the walking tracks. We also have a new blog post on ... Read More
Desolina - May 3, 2015
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Spending the night at Roberton Island after catching up with fellow cruisers David and Janet on Navire, who we've not seen since they left Wellington just before us last year.

Desolina - May 1, 2015
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We finally made it all the way to the Bay of Islands. Even had the kite up for a while up to Cape Brett. It feels like summer has come back again! Also nice to hear Gulf Harbour radio this morning.

Desolina - April 30, 2015
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Anchored up in Whangamumu harbour. Enjoyed a beautiful sunset just as we dropped the hook after another 30+ kt run up the coast. Looking forward to getting into Bay of Islands tomorrow, and hopefully ... Read More
Desolina - April 28, 2015
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Fully stocked up again. We left Marsden Cove Marina this morning and we're now anchored in Tutukaka Harbour. It was a quick 20 mile sail with winds gusting over 30kts. We had our third reef in the ... Read More
Desolina - April 26, 2015
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Currently at Marsden Cove Marina, Whangarei; making friends and waiting for the gale to pass before heading up the Tutukaka coast. I'm a little worried about how excited I am at the prospect of being ... Read More
Desolina - April 23, 2015
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After 10 days of the very peaceful Fitzroy Harbour, Great Barrier, we've made the trek back over to the mainland. We had a fairly quick, although a little rolly, 45nm sail over to Whangarei harbour ... Read More
Washing facilities at Smokehouse bay
  • A quick swing at Bradshaw cove, Kiakoura island
  • View over Great Barrier Island
  • Spirit of New Zealand at Smokehouse Bay
Desolina - April 11, 2015
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First update in a while! So we spent a week on land over in the Coromandel with Ruth's mum (blog post coming soon). Then we got asked to help out at the Kawau Boating Club for Easter so have spent ... Read More
Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau, our home for almost 2 weeks
  • Anna and Brad, a couple of friends from the UK who are working in Auckland for a few months
  • Our very friendly and welcoming employers for Easter!
  • Coming through Man of War passage to enter Fitzroy Harbour on Great Barrier Island.
Desolina - March 17, 2015
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Well we survived Cyclone Pam. Gulf harbour was nicely sheltered with the winds peaking out at around 30kts in the marina. Just a normal sunday afternoon for Wellington... Today we had a nice fast ... Read More
sailing into Auckland under spinnaker
  • sailing out of Auckland just before Pam arrives...
  • Anchored up at Kawau Island
Desolina - March 15, 2015
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After a good couple days sailing round Waiheke and a night in Auckland to catch up with friends we're now back at Gulf Harbour. Cyclone Pam is bearing down on us and after briefly considering ... Read More
Desolina - March 10, 2015
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After a pleasant sail over from Gulf Harbour we are now anchored in Oneroa Bay off Waiheke Island. Feels good to be back cruising and away from overnighters and marinas!

Desolina - March 6, 2015
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Gulf Harbour marina, Auckland. Now it feels like we've come quite a way. Wellington-Auckland. We had a pretty good overnight sail, leaving Mercury at 9pm and arriving at Gulf Harbour Marina by 8am ... Read More
Desolina - March 6, 2015
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A nice downwind (finally!) sail from Slipper Island to Great Mercury today. Unfortunately it is going to be a very brief stopover. The weather for the next few days is looking pretty bad and we need ... Read More
Desolina - March 4, 2015
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Today we have made a little bit of progress in the right direction and are now anchored just off Slipper Island on the east side of the Coromandel Peninsula. Enjoyed the company of some dolphins who ... Read More
Desolina - March 3, 2015
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So after our engine set back and a couple of nights in the marina at Tauranga, we are back at Mayor Island once again on route to Auckland.

Desolina - March 1, 2015
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After a good look at the engine, we found a bolt that had sheared off holding the heat exchanger. No way to get at it without taking a bunch of stuff off first so we've gone into Tauranga marina to ... Read More
Desolina - March 1, 2015
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No more overnight sailing for awhile! We're made it Mayor Island after a fairly grim 36hrs of beating into wind and motoring from East Cape. A pipe on the engine also came off and all the coolant ... Read More

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