Captain’s Log: Auckland to Great Barrier Island

Hi All,

Saturday April 12, 2014:

WE DID IT!!!!!! We have left Auckland…..FINALLY!!!!!!

We were in Auckland almost 6 weeks (about 2 weeks more than planned)….2 weeks were for pleasure as we went to the Fiordlands on Ian and Agi Graham’s boat, m/v Corybas, a Selene 57 and also Queenstown while we were in South Island. We will blog more about that trip later!!

The other 4 weeks were spent working hard on various boat projects with only a few days off for some pleasure/R&R (like a day in wine country on Waiheke Island, afternoon watching the Royals – William and Kate, dinners Ian and Agi, Double Diamond and Bella Star, and then Minnie B). I’ll write up a blog post w/pics later on all the work we did for those interested!!! But for now, a brief synopsis – serviced the Cummins, GEN, transmission, port side stabilizer cylinders rebuilt, new AIS and SSB antenna, new Ubuiquiti Bullet (an outdoor radio to find those pesky wifi signals, replaced the Port Networks that went kaput), reorganized the Lazerette (sounds simple on paper but think of spring cleaning your garage/basement), tried hard to quiet the irritating SAT antenna on the PH deck (not very successful – 3 different attempts, but we have a new plan we are sure will work….but for another day), mega time working on our movie video server but success at last….well, it worked last night but don’t think the system is too stable.

We really liked the New Zealand technicians…..extremely friendly, professional and perfectionists……very much like what we found in Fort Lauderdale and the best in Seattle!!

And of course, we provisioned, provisioned, and provisioned some more for Fiji….and we are still not done:((((( The only comment I really have on that experience is how expensive we have found New Zealand…..probably the most expensive place we have visited by a long shot…..examples, gallon of oil $45-50, coffee – $15-20/lb, 750 ml of Don Julio tequila $200….and yes, for those who might be coming to Fiji we will be needing a new supply as we did not restock at that price!!!!

Anyway, we are underway on our shakedown cruise from Auckland to Great Barrier Island….a 50 nm run….and so far all is well…..light winds and a little chop!!!! We arrived in Port Fitzroy and found Bella Vita and the games officially began:)))) Of course, I was asleep by 8:00 – such a light weight. I’m afraid it will take many days/nights to recover from the boat project work….arghhh!!!

Stats:
Position: 36 10S 175 20E
Traveled: 53 nm
Course: 12M COG
Wind: 6-12 kts W
Waves: 1-2′ SSW
Speed: avg is 7.7 kts; 1600 rpm
Weather: 0% cloud this am built to 60%; sea temp 69 deg F
Boat Sightings: too many to count, had to avoid 1 BFB
Fishing: nope
Sail: down
Fuel burn: 1.4 npmg, 4.7 gph; excellent – maybe better fuel usage due to new injectors????

Hope all is well!

John
Mystic Moon

Sunday, 4/13/2014:
Well…..all good plans do not necessarily work…..we did not activate the SAT phone as we expected to have internet at GBI….well, they do but it is not working for whatever reason this w/e……arghhhhh!!