Manutaki

Manutaki is a Beale 12.4. She is 12.4m long overall, 3.9 wide, 2.1 draft. 41ft for the traditionalists. She is wood core with fibreglass inside and out, sloop rigged and built to cruise. She has been to the Pacific islands a few times already, so hopefully she knows the way. We like to think of her as a modern classic, representing the way cruising boats were built in New Zealand in the '90s.

Recent Updates

Posted: Fri, 14 Jul 2017 - 00:00

This update is dedicated to the wildlife. We saw our first up-close WHALE yesterday in the lagoon at the Yagasa cluster, a tiny group of uninhabited islands a little north of Fulaga. We were

Posted: Mon, 10 Jul 2017 - 00:00

Reflections on an Island Time week in Fulaga. We are settling into a very relaxed mode, taking it easy, with a series of wonderful occasions, and the odd moment of terror. The terror happened

Posted: Wed, 5 Jul 2017 - 00:00

Well, we now have another passage under our belt. We have sailed 120 miles south to a very remote island called Fulaga, which is absolutely astonishing. The passage started out as a beautiful beam

Posted: Wed, 28 Jun 2017 - 00:00

We are gently rocking, anchored just off our very own beach and beside three lovely snorkelling reefs. We found a little beach tucked around the corner at Mbavatu Harbour, and left the fleet to have

Posted: Tue, 27 Jun 2017 - 00:00

And Tuesday dawns to a magnificent Team New Zealand victory in the Americas cup. Even we slow-going cruising sailors aren't immune to the allure of the pinnacle of yacht racing. We had a fantastic

Posted: Sun, 25 Jun 2017 - 00:00

We are anchored in the Bay of Islands - Fiji style, not like the NZ BOI. Surrounded by weirdly shaped pillars and mushrooms of limestone rock and coral heads in every direction. It is scary enough in

Posted: Fri, 23 Jun 2017 - 00:00

Woohoo! Yesterday We made it from Tonga to Fiji two-up. Just Joanne and me onboard. We had a champagne graduation ceremony last night to celebrate our major milestone into cruising. The crossing

Posted: Tue, 20 Jun 2017 - 00:00

On the night watch, 94 miles out of Vava'u, heading for Fiji (Vanua Balavu in the Lau group) Stars above, warm water washing my bare feet in the cockpit as we ride the big ocean waves. We're sailing

Posted: Mon, 19 Jun 2017 - 20:47

Off to Fiji in the morning. 300 miles, dead downwind. Two up (me and Jo). Joanne's first big night sail. Wish us well, cross fingers...
More news tomorrow.

Posted: Fri, 16 Jun 2017 - 19:25

A very special mention for tonight's dinner, here in Malafakalava bay. Say that a few times quickly in polite company. Joanne concocted a superb roast lamb meal with beetroot, feta and roasted

Posted: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 - 19:45

Thank you to those who have been following and making comments here. I only see them when we get internet coverage, but I really appreciate them all. It's nice to know somebody is amused by our

Posted: Sun, 11 Jun 2017 - 00:00

Vava'u. Wow. The last 4 days filled with so much intense doing nothing much that there was no time to update the blog. Hunga Haven, an otherworldly ancient caldera eroded by millennia and festooned

Posted: Sun, 11 Jun 2017 - 00:00

Phew Had to stop for a row around the bay, here at the Coral Gardens. We set off with no wind, bright sun and a sparkling bay, Joanne rowing for the practice and a tiny bit of exercise. The rain

Posted: Wed, 7 Jun 2017 - 12:47

We are anchored in Hunga lagoon after a very peaceful crossing from Ha'apai to Vava'u, with Mahia always nearby. We arrived at 4pm or so, just in time to see Riada emerge from a lagoon and head

Posted: Tue, 6 Jun 2017 - 00:00

Updated entry with corrected date. Sorry about the confusion. We have departed the Ha'Apai group and we are heading for Vava'u. My wonderful crew flew out Friday and Saturday after a fantastic

Posted: Sat, 3 Jun 2017 - 00:00

Correction with updated date in June. Sorry for the confusion. Anchored in paradise with Joanne on board at last; drinking nearly cold wine and beer, eating 2-week old but perfectly moist

Posted: Tue, 30 May 2017 - 00:00

Beautiful, beautiful sailing! 10-15 knots, trade winds, reaching across azure seas under blue skies. All very happy on board. Lost another lure today with a big fish hitting and ripping the trace

Posted: Sun, 28 May 2017 - 00:00

We are on the move again, starting on the next leg. Minerva was an astonishing experience, but we have a crew hankering for palm trees and coconut milk, so it's time to move on and head for Tonga.

Posted: Fri, 26 May 2017 - 00:00

MINERVA! We entered into this amazing, huge lagoon at around 11am Thursday. It was a blessed relief to get into its lee and get some respite from the large pacific easterly swells that had been

Posted: Wed, 24 May 2017 - 19:27

Hello again from the good ship Manutaki, sailing through a balmy night, nearly under tropical skies. We had.a great day today. Bas caught our first fish, a Mahi-Mahi, which was absolutely delicious

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Manutaki

Manutaki

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