Rayfiki

Fri Nov 7 7:23 2014 NZDT
Speed:
6.5k
knts
GPS: 35 39.3s 174 52.3E
Run: 173.5nm (314km)
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 172.9nm
Weather: wind 16k 280T Clear skies. Flat seas

17nM from to Whangarei Heads. Finally at 6am the winds abated and turned W?all a bit late. Lovely to see Poor Nights and the NZ Coast. Thank you David Patricia & Mike for your efforts and help over the passages and during the time we have been in warmer climes. Most appreciated.


Thu Nov 6 7:18 2014 NZDT
Speed:
8k
knts
GPS: 33 09.5S 175 11.8E
Run: 154nm (278.7km)
Avg: 6.6knts
24hr: 157.8nm
Weather: wind 17 - 20k 240T 70% cloud cover mainly behind and to our sides - cloudless to SW. SW swell 1.5m short period. Building. Bumpy.

Another good day with good blokes!! Everyone got full tummies!! Good night sailing. More Woolies on :) 163nM to Whangarei Heads


Wed Nov 5 7:53 2014 NZDT
Speed:
6k
knts
GPS: 30 57.8S 175 38.7e
Run: 159.9nm (289.4km)
Avg: 6.7knts
24hr: 161.6nm
Weather: wind 20k S 40% cloud cover mainly NE of us Blue sky in front Small SW swell 1.5m Sea bumpy but settling. Rain started at 19h00 at 29 52s 175 44e for 5 minutes - 10k of wind Band very short

Good night on steel spinnaker. Wind started getting up this morning. Looking forward to predicted SW to send us home. Woolies on :)


Tue Nov 4 8:08 2014 NZDT
Speed:
6k
knts
GPS: 28 39.0S 175 40.4E
Run: 404nm (731.2km)
Avg: 692.6knts
24hr: 16621.7nm
Weather: wind 9k NE 10% cloud cover mainly as a start of frontal band to S & SE Small NE swell with a period of 9sec.

Spectacular day yesterday (made all the more pleasant after the few days of rock n roll.) Sunny and hot during day Had screetcher up nearly all day in light winds and flat seas and getting 8 -9k. Started motor at 3pm & been motoring ever since although got some motor sailing in in the wee hours. Past the half way point so its all downhill now - i hope :) Keeping on top of electrical problem - the solar panels kept us charged all day & now motor doings its thing. Was greeted this morning with a red sky??.


Tue Nov 4 7:33 2014 NZDT
Speed:
6k
knts
GPS: 22 49.39s 176 10.9e
Run: 234.7nm (424.8km)
Avg: 10.6knts
24hr: 253.7nm
Weather: wind 9k NE 10% cloud cover mainly as a start of frontal band to S & SE Small NE swell with a period of 9sec.

Spectacular day yesterday (made all the more pleasant after the few days of rock n roll.) Sunny and hot during day Had screetcher up nearly all day in light winds and flat seas and getting 8 -9k. Started motor at 3pm & been motoring ever since although got some motor sailing in in the wee hours. Past the half way point so its all downhill now - i hope :) Keeping on top of electrical problem - the solar panels kept us charged all day & now motor doings its thing. Was greeted this morning with a red sky??.


Mon Nov 3 9:20 2014 NZDT
Speed:
166t
knts
GPS: 26 12S 175 47E
Run: 234.7nm (424.8km)
Avg: 9.2knts
24hr: 221.2nm
Weather: E15, seas calm littlecc

really hard to hear at this stage


Sun Nov 2 7:53 2014 NZDT
Speed:
7k
knts
GPS: 22 49.39s 176 10.9e
Run: 201.5nm (364.7km)
Avg: 8.3knts
24hr: 200.1nm
Weather: wind 20k 120T 40% cloud cover Sea bouncy Waves about a metre coming through

Sea has eased overnight together with the wind


Sat Nov 1 7:43 2014 NZDT
Speed:
7.5k
knts
GPS: 19 56.5s 176 39.5e
Run: 169.7nm (307.2km)
Avg: 7.1knts
24hr: 170.8nm
Weather: wind 25k 110T 100% cloud cover Sea bouncy Waves about a metre coming through

Bouncing along?not uncomfortable. Settling into our watches and log keeping


Fri Oct 31 7:52 2014 NZDT
GPS: 17 36.025s 177 26.499e
Run: 20.2nm (36.6km)
Weather: No breeze 60% thin cloud

Anchored off Lautoka wharf waiting to check out and head to NZ


Thu Oct 30 8:14 2014 NZDT
GPS: 17 46.295s 177 11.585e
Weather: 0% cloud cover. No breeze

In Musket Cove heading to Lautoka today to clear customs tomorrow to head to NZ if the weather window is still good.


Sat Oct 25 15:53 2014 NZDT
GPS: 17 46.300s 177 11.579e
Weather: wind gusting 30k S 100% cloud cover few large spots of rain

Sitting in Musket Cove - attached to the Island Bar doing last minute preps and awaiting crew


Sat Oct 11 15:47 2014 NZDT
GPS: 17 46.304S 177 11.596E
Run: 45.9nm (83.1km)

Chilling near a great bar


Wed Aug 27 7:16 2014 NZST
GPS: 17 06.539S 177 13.47E
Weather: 0% cloud cover. Winds dropped considerably from yesterday. Winds E with gusts (difficult to know what winds are on E side of island)

Stopped off in the sheltered Natuvalo Bay on W side of Naviti Is


Tue Aug 26 17:09 2014 NZST
GPS: 17 06.538S 177 13.486E
Run: 14.9nm (27km)

Stopped off at Natuvalo Bay - Naviti Island. Out of the breeze ;)


Tue Aug 26 7:10 2014 NZST
GPS: 16 56.575S 177 22.050E
Run: 65.8nm (119.1km)
Weather: 10% cloud cover aprox 18k gusting 25k E wind

Departing Blue Lagoon today and heading towards Manta Ray Bay. Hope the MantaRays are still hanging around!!!


Sun Aug 24 0:00 2014 NZST
GPS: 16 56.6S 178 21.8E
Run: 25.3nm (45.8km)

As always Blue Lagoon lives up to its exposure! The golden beaches, blue sea, sunshine and NO wind - well had 2 windless days. Just love where they feed the fish!! We have taken our breadcrumbs and been surrounded by millions of fat little friends. Always love watching the flyer come in and the pandemonium which ensues as the ducklings have no idea where Mama duck will stop


Fri Aug 15 7:10 2014 NZST
GPS: 17 16s 178 11e
Run: 3.2nm (5.8km)
Weather: 20% cloud cover except for clouds draping high mountains of vitiLevu. 12k SSE wind

Departed this morning Nananu-I-ra for Sawa-I-Lau in N Yasawas


Thu Aug 14 7:11 2014 NZST
GPS: 17 18s 178 13e
Run: 10046.2nm (18183.6km)
Avg: 422.4knts
24hr: 10138.1nm
Weather: showers most of the night. 100% cloud cover. Very Light SE breeze

Nananu-I-ra


Wed Aug 13 7:24 2014 NZST
Run: 9919.5nm (17954.3km)
Avg: 7.1knts
24hr: 171nm
Weather: showers most of the night. 90% cloud cover. Light ESE breeze

Nananu-I-ra


Mon Jun 16 7:08 2014 NZST
GPS: 19 09s 178 32w
Run: 40.9nm (74km)
Weather: wind 19k ESE 90% cloud cover light drizzel for a few minutes

Enjoying the beauty of Vulanga with all its mushroom islands, beautiful beaches & friendly villagers


Fri Jun 13 6:13 2014 NZST
Speed:
6k
knts
GPS: 19 03s 179 09w
Run: 185.2nm (335.2km)
Weather: wind 10k True 100T 100% cloud cover flat sea

Sailing from Kandavu to Vulanga in company with Obsession, Blinder and Providence....good sail until wind died then went SW now on the nose!!!


Tue Jun 3 10:10 2014 NZST
GPS: 18 24.278s 178 06.185e
Run: 28.5nm (51.6km)

In a pleasant bay with green clad walls. Had some rather strong gusts coming down the valley. Cloudy with intermittent rain so have not ventured far but at least able to do chores (like fix the toilet :( Were able to celebrate Shelley's birthday with drinks on board with Windflower and KatieMII. Have dispensed 30 pairs of spectacles to the villagers. Thanks to others who have trodden this path before, we were able to have a plan & it was very orderly!!! You do get a buzz when dispensing a 3.5 pair to someone who is absolutely delighted to be able to read the bible again. (8Note to bible printers - make the print bigger!!!) Or the ecstatic lady who could now see the clouds and the tops of the trees. My word they are fashion conscious and pick the more modern frame.


One satisfied customer
Fri May 23 6:45 2014 NZST
GPS: 18 07.4s 178 25.2e
Run: 42.7nm (77.3km)
Weather: wind N light 70% cloud cover

Arrived safely in Suva. Customs clearance gave us Liberation for dinner. Thank you Patricia & David for the chit chat and Weather - very helpful and appreciated. Also to Mike for his involvement with the webpage


Thu May 22 6:43 2014 NZST
Speed:
7k
knts
GPS: 18 41.7S 178 40.1E
Run: 195nm (353km)
Avg: 8.1knts
24hr: 194.9nm
Weather: wind 15kT 120T 90% cloud cover swell mostly 1.5 sometimes 2m rain showers to W and NW

Had a night of the wind swigging from one side of stern and back again !! Just passing astrolabe reef 6nm to port. Hope to going in to Suva around midday.


Wed May 21 6:42 2014 NZST
Speed:
6k
knts
GPS: 21 10s 179 53w
Run: 183.2nm (331.6km)
Avg: 7.7knts
24hr: 183.8nm
Weather: wind 13 - 15k 230T 50% cloud cover swell 2m good period

Good night and good day sail yesterday. Wind kept increasing yesterday so kept reefing down!! Wind started decreasing around 2am this morning


Tue May 20 6:47 2014 NZST
GPS: 23 39.4s 178 54.1w
Weather: wind 18k 180T Ring of clouds around us hugging the horizon - above us clear.

Still in North Minerva. Awaiting weather report and if all Ok will probably pick up anchor and head for Suva


Mon May 19 6:42 2014 NZST
GPS: 23 39.4s 178 54.1w
Weather: wind 10k 180T 100% cloud cover. Rain

Still in North Minerva.


Sat May 17 6:35 2014 NZST
GPS: 23 39.4s 178 54.1w
Run: 0.5nm (0.9km)
Weather: wind 25k T 155T 100% cloud cover. Rain starting

Still in North Minerva. Had a great day yesterday snorkelling first, then walking on the reef at low tide, catching up with Ross (Vixen7) and the commaradarie of a great crew over a sundowner


Fri May 16 6:44 2014 NZST
GPS: 23 39s 178 54w
Run: 45.8nm (82.9km)
Weather: wind 8k T 110T half m 100% cloud cover

Arrived in Minerva Thursday midday and as the anchor touched the sea bed we were hit by a 40k squall. Looking for best day to dept forSuva


Thu May 15 6:44 2014 NZST
Speed:
6.7k
knts
GPS: 24 16s 179 10w
Run: 194nm (351.1km)
Avg: 8.2knts
24hr: 195.9nm
Weather: wind 10k T 125T half m ocean swell 20% cloud cover

All good - wind dropped right down in the night and has started picking up with dawn. Looking forward to getting to Minerva with its famous coffee shop!!


Wed May 14 6:58 2014 NZST
Speed:
7.5k
knts
GPS: 26 59s 179 57w
Run: 171.2nm (309.9km)
Avg: 7.2knts
24hr: 172.4nm
Weather: wind 9k T 110T half m ocean swell 50% cloud cover

Good night- breeze died at 9.30 so been motor sailing - just picked up again


Tue May 13 7:08 2014 NZST
Speed:
7.6k
knts
GPS: 29 21.7ss 179 15.9ee
Run: 98.8nm (178.8km)
Avg: 9.1knts
24hr: 218.5nm
Weather: wind 15k T 120T half m swell 5% cloud cover

Good night- breeze got stronger around midnight and then lighter becoming lighter around 5


Mon May 12 20:17 2014 NZST
Speed:
9.0
knts
GPS: 30 29.7s 178 15.6e
Run: 123.6nm (223.7km)
Avg: 9.5knts
24hr: 228.2nm
Weather: 18k T 120T 1m swell 25% cloud cover

Great Day - lovely flatish seas and consistent 18k breeze. Just getting along beautifully.


Mon May 12 7:17 2014 NZST
Speed:
5.0
knts
GPS: 32 03.8s 177 15.3e
Run: 83nm (150.2km)
Avg: 7.7knts
24hr: 185.6nm
Weather: 16k T 120T 1m swell 5% cloud cover

Good night- breeze becoming lighter and going more easterly -


Sun May 11 20:33 2014 NZST
Speed:
9.0
knts
GPS: 33 13.46s 176 53.6e
Run: 92.8nm (168km)
Avg: 6.8knts
24hr: 164nm
Weather: 20k T 140T 1m swell 10% cloud cover

Good day- good breeze - although had to stop and fix the autopilot and steering :(


Sun May 11 6:58 2014 NZST
Speed:
10.0
knts
GPS: 34 26.281s 176 12.014e
Run: 1.4nm (2.5km)
Weather: 30k T 130T 1m swell 60% cloud cover

Good night - good wind - although could be pointing more North!! Seas pleasant. Lovely moon dancing on the water and lightning to E


Sun May 11 6:58 2014 NZST
Speed:
10.0
knts
GPS: 34 26.4s 176 10.5e
Run: 136.5nm (247.1km)
Avg: 2.9knts
24hr: 69.8nm
Weather: 30k T 130T 1m swell 60% cloud cover

Good night - good wind - although could be pointing more North!! Seas pleasant. Lovely moon dancing on the water and lightning to E


Fri May 9 8:01 2014 NZST
GPS: 35 50.251s 174 28.074e
Run: 0.3nm (0.5km)

All fueled up and waiting for sunny shores :)


getting close to the waterline in Marsden Cove
Thu May 8 22:38 2014 NZST
GPS: 35 50s 174 28e

Most prep completed - asked for Customs Clearance for Saturday morning. The Christchurch crew arrive on board tomorrow evening - looking forward to having them. The Sandy Bay team join us on Saturday morning bright and cheerful :)


Rayfiki - Beautiful Blue Lagoon

As always Blue Lagoon lives up to its exposure! The golden beaches, blue sea, sunshine and NO wind - well had 2 windless days. Just love where they feed the fish!! We have taken our breadcrumbs and been surrounded by millions of fat little friends. Always love watching the flyer come in and the pandemonium which ensues as the ducklings have no idea where Mama duck will stop

Rayfiki - KIck Arse Yacht

Parko, my good sailing buddy from Whanga, always refers to Rayfiki as that Kick Arse Yacht. Well today it lived up to its name. Sitting up on the tramp in the sun as we clipped along at 10 k with a true wind speed averaging 15k was fantastic. I even got a screenshot of us doing 10k in a TWS of 10.3k a peak of 18 was great. The seas were calm with about a 2 to 3 m swell with a long period so that was pleasant and helpful. All crew just enjoyed the shear excitement of the speed and like an albatross Read more...

we seemed to skim over the top of the sea. By 4.30 the wind kept coming up, so first went the screecher, and so ended a most pleasant day in the sun. We just kept reefing down: next came the main and then the headsail. Unfortunately with the wind has come a lumpy sea so we just tootled along at a more sedate rate.

Rayfiki - U going the wrong way!! WHAT me??

 So we leave Minerva entrance and turn to head to Fiji?a nice Tuna for lunch decides to jump on and a small battle with Joel ensues. We slow Rayfiki down and land lunch. Soon afterwards the VHF goes and it is a nearby yacht "Where r u heading Rayfiki??" "Fiji" replies Rayfiki "Well u r going in the wrong direction" oh dear there is water all around - no trees or hills to take a bearing from - so we could be heading wrong way .mmmmmm. Check my old tools: Compass - thats showing we heading North. Read more...

"How do u know" I reply "Your position on our AIS has given yr course as 180T" Ahhh - someone else has spotted the problems we have been having with our brand new Vesper AIS transponder - and the item which has made the bad weather in Minerva rather welcome as I have been absorbed most of the time trying to figure out the problem. Once we knew we are heading generally in correct direction, up went the screecher which we kept up most of the day That evening we received the twice daily Predict Wind weather routing. Our next few way point were South - WHAT !!! Is there BIG winds or something ahead??? An email to Predict Wind resulted in a response. We had not gone directly to a Waypoint off Minerva so the programme was taking us back to do it properly!!!

Rayfiki - Excitement in North Minerva

Two days of sitting couped up on Rayfiki aint too bad - when u wonder how others are getting on in smaller quarters. However two days of having the wind howling so loudly that you could not hear the surf and most books on board getting exhausted, it was a welcome relief to hear the forecast that the wind was dropping this morning. Well it did subside but only really by lunchtime?when the sun came out as well. We were also joined by a Tongan Navy vessel who circled the reef so we could see how Read more...

big the waves were as they ploughed up and down and rolled around. After demonstrating their naval skills they thought they should come into the lagoon to seek shelter and deal to their collywobbles?. Any thoughts of being invited onboard for Kava cocktails with the Captain were dashed when they anchored as far from us mere yachties as they could. Anyway wasn't long before the VHF radio crackled with the voice of NZ Airforce Orion heading to Minerva and he wanted all yachts to identify themselves and provide departure and arrival details. OOOPs on his first fly over and getting the first report he spotted said Tongan navy also ensconced in the lagoon. ooohlala,,,he tried to call them as well and got a rather mumbled kava induced and inane response. He advised us that he would get back to us. Sure enough he did 10 minutes later?..i bet there were frantic calls to Wellington as what to do next. (There is conflict between Tonga and Fiji as to ownership of Minerva Reef. At the moment with the whole Tongan navy protecting us and NZ fire force above it look like we are safe form Fiji invading - for the moment.) Once the diplomatic channels had cleared the way the interrogation continued. In all 28 yachts in N Minerva with a few more in South Minerva. Once our man in the sky had satisfied himself that all yachts were accounted for he (as requested by Ross) he put his lights on and did a low fly past and headed back to NZ and the rain and cold. We exhausted by all this excitement decided to cool off with a much needed swim. At the weather sled on Radio Minerva in the morning I had suggested we all meet at low tide around 4.30 on the reef for a meet greet reunion and drink. What a sight: at 5pm with 50 people standing on the reef - dingies lining the reef wall and the water cascading off the reef. The wind had dropped but was still cool so we left to get back to Rayfiki and lift dingies, stow engines and get ourselves ready for a after breakfast departure tomorrow.

Rayfiki - The Oasis of North Minerva

position 23 39.4s 178 54.1w We were greeted this morning with a dull and overcast day with rising winds. This was overshadowed by the forecast of increasing rain and wind. Sure enough by tonight we have hit 50k and have probably 1/2 m swells which Rayfiki is riding nicely. Everyone read and I tried to get the AIS going again. Miracles on miracles it has started working and the Raymarine chart plotter once again appears on our iPads or iPhones?.very very useful for the crew as they lie in bed Read more...

listening to the wind in the rigging and watch our track as we swing back on forth in an arc on the end of our tether. And the yachts continued to pile in. So now there are a total of 25 yachts facing into the wind and waves. Rather be here than 1/2 a mile east in 3, 4 or possibly 5 m swells.

Rayfiki - Great to be at North Minerva

position 23 39.4s 178 54.1w The weather was quite good - a bit of sun squeezed through. Went for a snorkel near the reef in the lovely warm water?.as crystal clear as it comes. Unfortuneatly there is very little coral. However, it was so lovely to see all the familiar tropical fish swimming around. The excursion was topped off for me by spending a few minutes in the company of a half metre turtle and later on with a 1m reef shark.
The tide was going out mid morning and by midday we were Read more...

able to walk across the reef to the ocean side?what an experience. To think I was standing on the ocean with nothing around for a few hundred miles.
The edge of the reef at low tide is about half a meter above the sea level and has been eroded away with time but equally has much growth on it. The waves crashing on the ocean side of the reef send water across the reef to the inside of the lagoon so there are a myriad of waterfalls along the ledge. It all makes it look like the terraces of Pammukele or even what I imagine the pink and white terraces may be like with a different hue.
Decided to take my copter for a whirl?over the reef. Despite the cloud cover I am rather pleased with my photos. Went up to 220m and from that altitude have some very good pics all the way to the pass. You get such a different perspective of the reef looking down on it. I will post some when I get WiFi. I hope the wind dies and the sun comes out before we leave so I can get some more pics?however I doubt that will be the case After lunch took the dingy down to look at the lighthouse. Mark & Joel climbed to the top! Mark was looking for some surf :) They then spotted a wreck in the distance so took off to examine it. Only when they were nearly ontop of it did they realise it was a lump of rock or coral that had been weathered to look like a wreck.

Rayfiki - Awesome North Minerva

Its quite awesome being in here...waves crashing on the reef outside & then calm water - 14 boats in here last night. 1 came in about 7pm in the dark and there are 3 boats outside about to come in with daylight with I think some more behind that Just dancing around beautifully. Ross & Pam Vixen7 anchored next door...they arrived soon after. Had a chat with Citrus Tart as we came past South Minerva - they heading up here today. There were 2 other yachts in S Minerva. Fullcloud cover and Read more...

intermittent rain. N Minerva is 3nm in diameter and all yachts are clustered down the SE end - closest to the direction of forecast wind. We had a bit of a sail yesterday before coming in as the wind got up in the morning. Had a tooty around & then came down to where the other yachts were found a nice spot on sand in 14m and dropped anchor in crystal clear water. I was controlling the process from bow and holding ourselves over the anchor as I wanted to see it touch the bottom and check it had dug in. The next thing a 45k knot squall hit - & just had to go backwards and feed the chain out. 70m of chain out I felt we were IN and we held against this gust which lasted about 5 minutes...then dropped to 25 or so and now down to about 8. N. Minerva is a more pleasant drive around as 2/3 of it does not have all the bommies that S. Minerva has. If I look out the hatch above our steps it is a lovely view looking at reef and waves crashing onto it.

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