Dear Friends
Our three weeks in Napier seemed to go quite quickly. I spent a lot of time with Dad and he came down to the boat a few times and had one short trip out. We were hoping to take him out for a nice sail but the weather turned very cold with snow on the hills behind Napier.
We did two test while there. The first was a couple from the club. We went out in rather strong winds of 25 – 35kts with a gusts up to 44ks. To date that was the strongest winds we had experienced. The winds were coming off the land so the seas were not big. This couple were very kind and lent us transport for our whole stay there. They are also very interested in a catamaran [as they have already brought a berth at the new extension of the marina in Napier] and will be coming over to the Sydney Boat Show at the end of this month. The other was a wine maker and his friend and we had much lighter winds. In fact I put my line over and caught a fish which they thought was wonderful.
Then on our last weekend there we took my brother John out fishing. John and I caught 13 fish between us. One king fish and twelve kahawai. We took them back to John’s to smoke but we ran out of time to do them all at his place, so I took two back to the boat to smoke there. I set up my smoker on the marina wharf and put on the first one. All went well so on went the second one. I popped out to check up on how it was going to find the wharf aglow. Red embers were being fanned by rather strong winds. I had charred up three planks!!!!! A few buckets of sea water were quickly doused over my little bonfire. The next morning I reported it to the caretaker who was not concerned saying these things happen. I think he was just being kind as I am sure no one else has set fire to their marina. We also reported it to the office and offered to pay for replacement boards. They added a small amount to our bill which made me feel a little better.
Alec and I have been very lucky to be invited back to Australia by the Seawind company to the opening of an extension of their factory, sales training, and then two days at the Sydney Boat Show along with dealers from other countries. This is a great opportunity for us to increase our product knowledge and meet with other dealers.
Then it was time to leave Napier and head south again. The next leg of our journey has been written by Alec with all the facts and figures. As you will see we manage to have yet another adventure. NO, absolutely not!!! - this is not what you would call it. In fact it was definitely not cruising like one sees in the brochures and magazines. It was more like one of those write ups you read in a survival book. It was an experience which we would rather not repeat!! But we are here to tell the story because we have a Mighty God who hears our prayers. So do read on.
Hi Guys - SHAMAL - One Hell Of A Ride
After spending three weeks in Napier ( on the east coast of the North Island ) it was time to leave for Wellington, to the South just a mere 200 miles away. On Shamal we had a crew of 5, my wife Ann, son Murray, brother-in law Murray ( Charlie ) and his wife Dee. In New Zealand in the middle of winter a barrage of fronts ( 3-4 ) can cross the country in a week. Therefore the subsequent " Weather Windows " can be somewhat small. On the Napier - Wellington sector there are no divert ports you either carry on or return. Before departure we asked around the Napier Sailing Club for some local knowledge and advice. One gentleman stated to get to Wellington one might have to take a bit of bad weather ( "the good with the bad" as he said ) along the Wairarapa Coast as the object of the exercise is to be in Cook Strait in reasonable weather. He did mention one yachty took 5 attempts to reach Wellington and that is the current record.
The forecast issued Friday July the 4th at 3.53 for the Portland Area ( Napier ) was for Northwest 30 knots. Southeast swell 1 metre.
Further South in the Castle point Area Northwest 30 knots, rising to 50 knots about Castle Point for a time tonight. Southeast swell 1 metre.
On Saturday the forecast for the Cook coastal area ( Wellington ) was Northwest easing to 20 knots in the morning, becoming Saturday evening Southerly 45 knots with high sea.
Great that's us a Northwest breeze ( offshore ) gentle 1 metre swells and best of all 20 knots in Cook Strait. A reasonable mid winter weather window. All hands on deck for a 10.30 am departure. The plan was to round Cape Palliser ( bottom eastern corner of the North Island ) just before mid-day and then have all afternoon to sail across Palliser Bay to Baring Head before turning to starboard to enter Wellington harbour. Just a mere 26 miles. No Southerly for us.
The Portland forecast was wrong, we had a northerly of 10 knots instead of 30. Had to motor sail all day until 7.30 pm until the wind picked up.Latest forecast Castle Point 45 knots downgraded from 50 knots ah that's better. Abeam Castle Point 3rd reef at 2.00 am hit by a 53 knot gust. We were warned about Castle Point wind so we were 12 miles off the coast at this point. My son Murray was sea sick, Ann, Charlie and Dee were feeling queasy so I had a rather long night watch from 10 pm to Friday morning 7.30 am. I then had a 3 hour break. Further south just 20 miles north of Cape Palliser a wind change Southwest 25 gusting 35 and 4-5 metre sea. Bugger, Bugger. Down the sails, 3 thousand rpm on both engines. Average speed less than 4 knots at times punching into these waves down to 2.5 knots at times. Needless to say it took bloody ages to motor around Cape Palliser. I was happy that we left Napier with full tanks of fuel. We had been heading 215 degrees and once around Cape Palliser a new course of 285 degrees. Finally rounded at 2.30 pm ( 2-3 hours behind time ) With the course change coming up I was starting to get excited as I was thinking here comes a fast close reach all the way to Baring Head. ( time to play catch up ) But you guess it as we rounded Cape Palliser the bloody wind came round with us. Something to do with the "Funnel" effect of Cook Strait, I knew that from 4th form Geography but temporarily forgot. Maybe wishful thinking about the close reach. So here we go another 26 miles at less than 4 knots. ETA mid evening what about that Southerly approaching at 45 knots !!! Time to brief the crew as it was looking like it was going to be one hell of arrival in to Wellington.
10 miles east of Baring Head the wind started to pickup with gusts in excess of 50 knots as the wind backed to the south. Shamal picked up speed to between 6-7 knots in gusts. I guess due to the windage. Ann called Wellington harbour radio for traffic and was inform that a Cook Strait ferry was half an hour away and we would be number one. Reported gusts now at the harbour entrance 60 knots and not to mention the out going tide. 10 metre seas. What's that about wind against tide!!! I was now thinking about the " Wahine " and Barrett's reef at the harbour entrance. We then turned to starboard and commence our approach. ( sorry that's aeroplane talk ) With the engines at idle, bare poles and 50 knots plus up our stern Shamal was doing 10 knots. The auto pilot couldn't keep up with the gusts and was making big corrections so I decided to take the helm. ( I have flown jets in to Wellington in similar conditions and the auto pilot couldn't cope. ) I had Ann holding the port winch looking out for the Barrett's reef light and Charlie on the starboard helm looking out for the Pencarrow light. Between these two lights the distance is 0.7 miles, the narrowest part of the channel. When we were in a trough there were no lights to be seen, a little unnerving at times. Just after passing these lights a load of white water came over the back knocking me over, likewise Charlie and Ann. Glad we had our Safety Tethers on and now Shamal starting surfing. The boat did not come with any anchorage points so I installed a couple by the helm's when we were in the Bay of Islands.
The time was now 10.30 pm and it had taken us 8 hours from Cape Palliser.
At one stage I did consider diverting to Port Underwood 35-40 miles across Cook Strait at the top of the South Island but with the wind coming from the SSW it would also be very exposed.
We are very please at the way Shamal handled the extreme conditions and the only damage was minor ( a small tear in the sail bag )
Interesting enough the sunshades and the side clears remained intact.
We were never in danger of pitch poling as the bows never dug in, not even a little. I made sure to keep up our speed by catching a wave and veering off.
Yes one hell of a ride. At the end it was good to have 4 crew on deck and each and everyone played their part. Thank you Ann, Charlie, Dee and my sea sick son Murray my Computer/Forecast operator.
It is now Monday evening and still blowing a gale. The local yachties all have their stories about Cook Strait being out there in 50 knots plus as if this is a normal experience in this area. I guess it is not called "Windy Wellington" for nothing. In today’s paper the Ferries cancelled their Cook Strait crossings over the weekend. I wonder why. Bob McDavitt the Met Service Weather Ambassador stated this storm was the Nadir of the New Zealand winter.
The good news Ann still wants to go sailing but not quite in those conditions. Next sector Wellington to Picton any volunteers.
Alec
The only thing I can add to this would be our “man overboard drill” which Alec demonstrated to us on what one should do. I might add this was in the calmer waters at the beginning of the trip and we used a buoy, not one of us. The second was a pod of over 300 dolphins which was quite thrilling. At times we had 4 or 5 swimming between the hulls.
I will also add like Alec said that after the way SHAMAL handled these conditions we feel even more confident to take here off around the world starting next year.
OK one and all we will sign out for this letter.
Take care
Lots of love
Ann Alec and Murray
Our three weeks in Napier seemed to go quite quickly. I spent a lot of time with Dad and he came down to the boat a few times and had one short trip out. We were hoping to take him out for a nice sail but the weather turned very cold with snow on the hills behind Napier.
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