Silver Fox

Sat Oct 28 8:24 2017 NZDT
Speed:
6.3knts
knts
GPS: 33 48S 174 13E
Run: 310nm (561.1km)
Avg: 6.5knts
24hr: 154.9nm
Weather: NE4 knots, Baro 1020, 90% cloud, swell 0.5m SW

78 nm from Bay of Islands. No wind and looks to be third day of motoring. All good on board.


Thu Oct 26 8:21 2017 NZDT
Speed:
5m
knts
GPS: 29 19S 174 22E
Run: 126.5nm (229km)
Avg: 5.3knts
24hr: 126.6nm
Weather: 5S, 0.5m swell, 5%cc, 1010

apart from the engine noise all is well.


Wed Oct 25 8:22 2017 NZDT
Speed:
5.5
knts
GPS: 27 48S 175 32E
Run: 128.2nm (232km)
Avg: 5.4knts
24hr: 129.5nm
Weather: 17SE, 2m, 100%cc, 1015

all well


Tue Oct 24 8:36 2017 NZDT
Speed:
5ms
knts
GPS: 25 59S 175 57E
Run: 162.6nm (294.3km)
Avg: 6.8knts
24hr: 163nm
Weather: NNE8, 100%cc, 1015

awob


Mon Oct 23 8:40 2017 NZDT
Speed:
6.9
knts
GPS: 23 46S 175 05E
Run: 350.7nm (634.8km)
Avg: 7.3knts
24hr: 175.3nm
Weather: 15NE, 3m ne swell, 80%cc, 1015

AWOB and good radio signal.


Sat Oct 21 8:39 2017 NZDT
Speed:
6
knts
GPS: 19 07S 177 16E
Run: 103.1nm (186.6km)
Avg: 4.7knts
24hr: 112.3nm
Weather: 1013, gusty 20 SE, 2-3m SE swell

Off to Opua. All well.


Fri Oct 20 10:37 2017 NZDT
GPS: 17 37.747S 177 23.226E
Run: 47.4nm (85.8km)
Weather: Overcast 12 Ltd sea slight 1011

Just checked out of Lautoka, passing Saweni Bay bound for NZ.


Tue Aug 29 13:20 2017 NZST
GPS: 16 56.589S 177 22.015E
Run: 28.8nm (52.1km)

Anchored at another one of Marks childhood memories. Although we cannot anchor where his family used to back in the 1970's as it is an exclusive resort on what is known as Turtle Island and anchoring is prohibited. Needless to say, when Mark was here before, there was no resort.


Sat Aug 26 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 16.491S 177 6.183E
Run: 4nm (7.2km)

Back to Port Denarau, Saweni and Nadi for supplies and to say goodbye to our friend Alex, crew from Mandalay III. Reprovisioned and out again via Liku Liku resort on Malolo to Liku Liku Bay in the Yasawas. Interesting day dodging coral reefs that where not on the chart and reefs that were on the chart but not in the same place. Arrived, another paradise.


Sat Aug 19 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 19.51439S 177 7.98918E
Run: 10.9nm (19.7km)

Our first village experience, on our way up through the Yasawas. Met up with Mandalay III on their way down through the Yasawas and were invited to join the villagers for their Sunday church service. Unfortunately we were not appropriately dressed so we were given the correct attire prior to the service.


Fri Aug 18 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 27.507S 177 2.651E
Run: 31.1nm (56.3km)

Navandra of the Mamanutha Islands. Magical.


Sat Aug 12 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 46.349S 177 22.903E
Run: 9.2nm (16.7km)

On a marina berth in Port Denarau so that we can get our refrigeration looked at. In with the big boys toys.


Tue Aug 8 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 38.371S 177 23.837E
Run: 7.9nm (14.3km)

Back to Saweni Bay. While ashore we walked the sugar cane railway line to Vuda Point. An amazing marina that offers hardstand pits called graves for your boat if you want to leave it over the cyclone season. Met a local on the walk who invited us in for juice and to meet with the family.


Sat Aug 5 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 45.205S 177 23.132E
Run: 15.3nm (27.7km)

Back to Denarau, sadly to say goodbye to our lovely visitor Joanne. Off back to NZ. It was a real pleasure to have you onboard and to be able to show you a small snapshot of Fiji.


Thu Aug 3 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 45.174S 177 9.192E
Run: 1.1nm (2km)

Anchored now around the corner in thee bay outside Tropica Island Resort. Crystal clear water and out with the paddle boards. Paradise at its best.


Tue Aug 1 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 44.320S 177 8.762E
Run: 3.4nm (6.2km)

Kim left the boat and headed into Denarau with Mandalay III to catch his flight back to NZ. We headed to the bottom of Malolo to a magic bay to anchor outside Liku Liku Resort. Stunning.


Sat Jul 29 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 46.406S 177 10.927E
Run: 17.1nm (31km)

Left Saweni Bay and headed for Musket Cove on Malolo Lailai.

Anchored and went ashore to visit the $2 bar. Spent the next few days exploring the island and socialising with our friends from Mandalay III.


Thu Jul 27 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 38.182S 177 23.907E
Run: 8.2nm (14.8km)

Saweni Bay. What an amazing place. One of Mark and Kims haunts as children when on family trips to Fiji. Off to Lautoka by bus to the market and a look around with Kim and Joanne.


Wed Jul 26 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 17 45.304S 177 23.115E
Run: 21.5nm (38.9km)

Arrived at Denarau and anchored just out from the Marina. Off to pick Joanne up from Nadi township. Caught the $1 bus into Nadi and spent the morning at the market stocking up on supplies.


Sat Jul 22 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 18 3.082S 177 17.059E
Run: 10.6nm (19.2km)

Arrived at Likuri Harbour and met up with the ICA fleet.

Spent the evening at the Robinson Crusoe Resort being for a meal and entertainment. Amazing.


Fri Jul 21 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 18 8.236S 177 25.113E
Run: 2.3nm (4.2km)

Anchored at Cuvu Harbour for the night. Unable to get to Likuri due to lack of wind.


Thu Jul 20 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 18 9.63683S 177 26.58108E
Run: 48.7nm (88.1km)

Left Beqa and headed for Likuri but the wind died and we had to motor. Called into Cuvu for the night. Found squid on the deck so KIm cooked them up.


Tue Jul 18 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 18 22.37613S 178 9.06212E
Run: 24.8nm (44.9km)

Left Suva heading for Kadavu but although the wind was in the right direction, the waves were knocking us so we turned and headed for Beqa. Amazing.


Mon Jul 17 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 18 7.13605S 178 25.01118E
Run: 0.2nm (0.4km)
Weather: Overcast

Spent two days waiting to clear customs and then it was the weekend. Monday morning it was a three stop, two taxi ride from three edges of Suva to finalise clearance and obtain our cruising permit. Now ready to go.


Thu Jul 13 19:03 2017 NZST
Speed:
0 kts
knts
GPS: 18 07s 178 25e
Run: 82.5nm (149.3km)
Avg: 3.6knts
24hr: 86.1nm
Weather: ESE 3 knots, Baro 1010, 90% cloud, swell 0

Arrived in Suva at 1030. Wow, we did it. We are here and what a fun trip. All well on board.


Wed Jul 12 20:03 2017 NZST
Speed:
3.4 kts
knts
GPS: 19 11s 178 59e
Run: 66.5nm (120.4km)
Avg: 5.3knts
24hr: 127.6nm
Weather: SE 7.5 knots, Baro 1008, 90% cloud, swell .5m

Light winds, calm sea. Motoring all day. Under headsail to slow down so arrival at Suva is in daylight tomorrow morning. Caught 25kg Yellow FinTuna on the lure today. Spectacular looking fish. 70 nm to Suva. All well on board.


Wed Jul 12 7:32 2017 NZST
Speed:
4.7m
knts
GPS: 20 07S 179 14E
Run: 54.2nm (98.1km)
Avg: 4.7knts
24hr: 112.7nm
Weather: 0-4SE, 0.5m swell, 5%cc, 1011

130nm to go.


Tue Jul 11 20:00 2017 NZST
Speed:
5.6 kts
knts
GPS: 20 54s 179 11e
Run: 65.5nm (118.6km)
Avg: 5.3knts
24hr: 126.3nm
Weather: SE 9.5 knots, Baro 1012, 30% cloud, swell 2-2.5m

Good sailing breeze. All well on board.


Tue Jul 11 7:33 2017 NZST
Speed:
6.5m
knts
GPS: 21 45S 179 38E
Run: 93.8nm (169.8km)
Avg: 6.9knts
24hr: 164.9nm
Weather: 19S, 2.5m swellS, 20%cc, 1012

AWOB, great night with the full moon and woke up to flying fish on the deck.


Mon Jul 10 17:54 2017 NZST
Speed:
6-7 kts
knts
GPS: 22 47s 179 25w
Run: 66.8nm (120.9km)
Weather: SSW19 knots, Baro 1010, 30% cloud, swell 2-2.5m

Departed North Minerva Reef this morning after a magic week heading for Suva. All well on board.


Thu Jul 6 18:33 2017 NZST
Speed:
0 kts
knts
GPS: 23 38s 178 55w
Run: 23.3nm (42.2km)
Weather: E 13 knots, Baro 1012, 20% cloud, swell nil

Arrived at North Minerva Reef on the 4 July. Yesterday was Marks Birthday which he spent dismantling the toilet. Today he repaired it. Probably here until Saturday or Sunday when the weather is looking good for heading to Suva.


Mon Jul 3 18:03 2017 NZST
Speed:
0 kts
knts
GPS: 23 55S 179 07W
Run: 26.1nm (47.2km)
Avg: 2.6knts
24hr: 62nm
Weather: W 17 knots, Baro 1011, 20% cloud, swell nil

Arrived at South Minerva Reef today. motoring in the beginning and then a nice sail. Amazing. Anchored in beautiful clear blue water, swam, showered and celebrated. Rain and wind has set in but not cold. Lovely to be at anchor into the wind, unlike on a hard stand or marina berth.


Mon Jul 3 7:56 2017 NZST
Speed:
5.1
knts
GPS: 24 13S 179 22W
Run: 63.9nm (115.7km)
Avg: 5.2knts
24hr: 125.3nm
Weather: light NE

Will stop at South Minerva today and go to N Minerva tomorrow.


Sun Jul 2 19:42 2017 NZST
Speed:
4.3 kts
knts
GPS: 25 06S 179 40W
Run: 105.7nm (191.3km)
Avg: 4.1knts
24hr: 99.1nm
Weather: N 8 knots, Baro 1012, 100% cloud, swell 1 m confused

77 mm south of South Minerva Reef. Wind came round and headed us. Squalls all around us, then wind died off. Now under motor. Cloudy sky today. Confused 1 m swell. All good on board.


Sat Jul 1 18:06 2017 NZST
Speed:
4 kts
knts
GPS: 26 35S 179 55E
Run: 119.3nm (215.9km)
Avg: 5knts
24hr: 119.5nm
Weather: NE 7.7 knots, Baro 1020, 100% cloud, swell 1m SE

Another good sailing day. Wind has now dropped and backing. Now under motor. Clear sky today but has now clouded over, 1 m swell. All good on board.


Fri Jun 30 18:09 2017 NZST
Speed:
6.0knts
knts
GPS: 28 09S 179 06E
Run: 153.5nm (277.8km)
Avg: 6knts
24hr: 143.1nm
Weather: S10 - 16 knots, Baro 1018, 10% cloud, swell 1m SE

Fantastic summer days sailing breeze, clear sky, sea slight. All well onboard. Kim is cooking up a chicken curry. Temporary main bolt line repair is good.


Thu Jun 29 16:24 2017 NZST
Speed:
65.0 knts
knts
GPS: 30 06S 177 53E
Run: 421.5nm (762.9km)
Avg: 5.3knts
24hr: 126.4nm
Weather: S10 knots, NATO 1017, 10% cloud, swell 2m SE

3 days out, spinnaker up, warm sunny sailing conditions, sea slight, all well on board


Mon Jun 26 8:20 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 18.89228S 174 7.34017E

What a beautiful morning in Opua. Leaving today. It has been a long time coming and we are all really excited.


Sun Jun 25 13:27 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 18.89543S 174 7.33959E

Today is final preparation day. Customs have been notified and we are leaving tomorrow morning for Minerva Reef. Weather window looks good and we are leaving with 3 other boats that we know. Kim has arrived back in Opua. I will not miss Opua for quite sometime.


Mon Jun 19 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 18.89438S 174 7.32796E
Run: 0.3nm (0.5km)

After a gruelling three weeks on the hardstand trying to get our keel cut open, cleaned and welded, we are finally going back into the water and the preparations for offshore to Suva via Minerva Reef can begin. Waiting for the next weather window.


Fri May 26 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 19.05614S 174 7.14886E
Run: 0.6nm (1.1km)

Up on the hardstand.


Fuel contamination and no way to access the keel tank except through the keel itself. The beginning of a very uncomfortable time and a massive drain on finances. Here we are thinking that the fuel tank had been cleaned out by the previous owner 😢


Wed May 24 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 18.54S 174 7.19E
Run: 156.1nm (282.5km)
Avg: 3.3knts
24hr: 78.1nm

Here we are back at Opua. How upsetting for us all. Checked in at customs and headed to the berth to decide what to do.


Mon May 22 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 32 41S 176 40E
Run: 168.5nm (305km)
Avg: 7knts
24hr: 168.5nm

Just having dinner and Mark has just asked me if I had changed the engine revs. No I hadn't. The engine was suffering from fuel starvation. After checking the filter Mark informs us that we are heading home. Extremely depressed captain and crew on board.


Mon May 22 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 33 37S 175 56E
Run: 77.2nm (139.7km)

Started engine at midnight and noticed that the fuel filter is beginning to block up. Having to clean the filter at regular hourly times. Still no wind and sea slight. Oil filter change has been done and have noticed water in the fuel.


Sun May 21 0:00 2017 NZST
GPS: 34 37S 174 53E
Run: 64.7nm (117.1km)

Well, we left Opua at midday and are heading out towards Tonga, via Minerva Reef. There is not much wind so we are having to start the engine.


Wed May 10 18:54 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 18.900S 174 7.388E
Run: 0.5nm (0.9km)

Well, we're still in Opua waiting for someone to open the window (weather window that is) so we can head north to sunnier climbs. We've used the time as best as possible, with Gail catching up on some work and Mark doing some last minute maintenance chores. Our crew for the trip and a couple of months, Mark's brother Kim, came up by bus ready for the original departure date, and can now catch up with friends from when he lived up here. Friends Bruce and Lynda from Whangarie very kindly drove up and took us to catch up with Mark and Kim's uncle Con Panther, in Kerikeri. Great to catch up and hear some of the stories and see some pictures.

Now its a matter of hurry up and wait until Donna and her younger sybling have passed by.


Fri Apr 28 17:20 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 18.672S 174 07.789E
Run: 18.5nm (33.5km)

Arrived at Opua this afternoon after yet another day of motoring first from Mimiwhangata to aptly named Paradise Bay on Urapukapuka Island yeserday, then up the channel. At least we had the enjoyment of a very nice tuna that decided our lure looked rather more appetising than it actually was. Tomorrow we'll meet up with the rest of the ICA group.


Wed Apr 26 18:59 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 26.069S 174 25.221E
Run: 29.2nm (52.9km)

Another day of motoring with no wind, but no shortage of swell though. Arrived at Mimiwhangata at 1630. Always a beautiful place, allthough a tad colder now. Met up with Manutaki who are also on their way to Opua to start the rally.


Tue Apr 25 21:43 2017 NZST
GPS: 35 50.836S 174 31.613E
Run: 40.8nm (73.8km)
Avg: 5.8knts
24hr: 139.7nm

Well, that was an interesting day. Mark went with Elan and Sean to dawn parade, then back to Silver Fox with Gail for last minute loading and sorting - always seems to be last minute I've noticed! Left Gulf Harbour at 11:30 but by this time, no wind so motored to Whangarei Heads. Just thought we'd pop into Urquharts Bay for the night, but hadnt reckoned on multiple large ship movements in the dark, with a lot of coms with harbour control and the various ships. Unfamiliar harbour at night with a lot of traffic makes for an interesting time. We love radar and AIS!!! At anchor at 2100 and a wine is in order.


Tue Apr 25 14:42 2017 NZST
GPS: 36 21.817S 174 52.833E
Run: 18.5nm (33.5km)

We are on our way. Late start, but Mark enjoyed the dawn parade with Elan. Missed the good breeze north yesterday but enjoying being on the move ... even if we are under motor. Tried the mps but the wind was too fickle.


Sun Apr 23 17:15 2017 NZST
GPS: 36 37.243S 174 47.256E

Well, the time has finally arrived after 4 years of preparation.

Tomorrow we leave Gulf Harbour for our trip north to Opua in preparation for our departure north to Tonga approximately on May 6.

We are so excited to be at this point at last.


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