After a week of preparing the boat and waiting for a suitable weather window we finally set off on November 9, with a positive forecast of New Zealands Weather ambassador Bob McDavitt.

The first two days where rough but fast tradewind sailing with 20-25knots on a close reach. Then the winds slowly died down, so for four consecutive days we were motoring. After that period some Morthwesterlies started filling in, whcih brought us with 30kn in the final stage in a total of nine days safely to Opua. After all, a good passage. Before and after most other cruisers had to deal with headwinds for several days approaching New Zealand. I guess, we were lucky!

The following days in Opua were relaxing and meeting many of the cruising family that came along the Pacific this season. Everybody was happy to be here and having a break of these long ocean passages for a few months.

Wolfgang and Klaus, my crew follows, flew home and I sailed on to Tauranga, in pleasant short dayhops along the scenic coastline of New Zealands Northern Island.

Contact data until April:
Tel. 0064-210762709
Address:
SV ANIMA III
c/o Tauranga Bridge Marina
P.O. Box 4500
Mount Maunganui 3149
New Zealand

Some pics of the passage and New Zealand