Sunny sky, a pod of orcas and the obligatory dolphins have welcomed us to NZ. After a thankfully uneventful but otherwise boring (=good) passage from New Caledonia requiring too much motorsailing we have a boisterous reach for our last afternoon at sea. SF is leaping along at an av of over 9kts with full main and staysail Going to need socks tonight! First time in a while

Motoring directly into a 3kt wind since 1300 but on course for North Cape. 372nm to Opua ETA late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning We have sunshine back after a period of grey clouds, drizzle and variable winds this morning that had us wishing we could turn around and sail back to New Caledonia All ok though

At the end of a pleasant day sailing SF on the wind in around 11 to 13kts the wind had lifted us over 60 degrees allowing us to leave Norfolk I to starboard and lay a course for North Cape with sheets eased. The wind has now dropped to below 9 kts and continues to lift so we are currently motorsailing - and going well

Arrived in New Caledonia All good Sent from my iPhone Sent from my iPhone

Leaving Fiji for Noumea, New Caledonia ETA Havanna early Saturday at present. Noumea on Sunday Sent from my iPhone

We arrived on Tuesday in Fiji at Vuda Marina. We have diverted here because 40 miles from entering South Minerva Reef, our anticipated pitstop on the way to Tonga, the sail drive propulsion unit refused to engage. The engine is fine it just wont go into gear. At that location we were equidistant from Fiji or Tonga. The facilities for repair and the weather both dictated we change course and sail to Fiji. All is well although it was a long slow trip as light winds from aft. To make matters more annoying the connection socket for the Optimizer came loose inside the satphone meaning comms were reduced to sms and calls through the satphone

Email should be restored today with local sim card

Wind has just begun to show signs that it will fill in from the wnw. Although this morning we enjoyed a great sail for a few hours it has been overall a really slow trip. We are all comfy and caught up on sleep Looking forward to anchoring at Minerva Reef.

All well.

Yesterday just before dark the autopilot stopped. It wasn?t overloaded, hadn?t given any trouble etc So we read the manuals and hand steered all night. It was actually rather nice although we are tired now. This morning we got an email from Tony C with some ideas of where the problem might be. Sharpie and Bruce did boat yoga with a multimeter and 2 original cable joins that looked suss and I drove. We now have a working autopilot again and will make up lost rest.

It?s a slow trip so far with light wind and headwinds after the fast ride out of Waitemata Hbr.

All well.

The wind died overnight so motorsailing today. Wind all over the place and we?re on the wind! This was not in the brochure. Hope to get easterlies soon

All well. Departed Westhaven at 1600 yesterday afternoon into 30kt winds and up to 47kts in gusty conditions. The front went through as forecast and now motoring since 1500 as TWS 2.6kts and a calm sea. Thanks Dinah for dinner tonight, a delicious lamb stew

Leaving Auckland at 1630

Wind forecast to drop significantly this evening

As it moderates we need to try and hang on to the SW winds as long as we can.

Entering Bay of Islands. A good trip if too much motoring as wind from aft the beam was not as strong as forecast. Look forward to clearing in at Opua

Looking forward to arrival in Opua tomorrow. Good trip and all well

trucking along now with AWA 107. All ok

on passage from New Caledonia to Opua New Zealand. Two on board all ok

All well but starting to get noticeably cooler

It?s been pleasant sailing so far even if wind and current are both n the nose. Only achieved 157 nm in first 24 hours though. Now motor sailing, probably till Wed morning when new westerly wind expected. Two on board all ok

It?s been pleasant sailing so far even if wind and current are both n the nose. Only achieved 157 nm in first 24 hours though. Now motor sailing, probably till Wed morning when new westerly wind expected. Two on board all ok

It?s been pleasant sailing so far even if wind and current are both n the nose. Only achieved 157 nm in first 24 hours though. Now motor sailing, probably till Wed morning when new westerly wind expected. Two on board all ok

test email

test email

test email

test email

test email

test email

on passage from New Caledonia to Opua New Zealand. Two on board all ok

test email

We will be sailing from Kuto Bay, Ile des Pins, NC today at 1200 local time

ETA Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ early Sunday morning 24/11

Sad to go but forecast looks pretty good

Chilled

Been in New Caledonia for a while now. Weather is beginning to warm up- it was very cool after Fiji! Expect to stay until the end of October/early November

Leaving Port Denarau to sail a ross to New Caledonia this arvo. Will try and post on way but not sure yet if email is ok again.

ETA Noumea Tuesday

Cleared customs. Leaving soon. Soon be warm

Having spent 5 weeks out of the water at Hobsonville Marina we are back floating at Westhaven Marina. Planned maintenance grew and, as we found some further damage from hitting a bombie last year that needed to be fixed we went the whole way and did next years maintenance as well!

Sailing up to Opua on the weekend and hopefully north to Fiji soon after

Back on the boat in Westhaven Marina Auckland. Should be ready to sail north to Fiji in about 4 weeks. Will clear in at Port Denarau

Arrived safely to the Land of the long white cloud Hello NZ

Leaving 0600 today

Anchored in Isle of Pines

On the way to the Isle of Pines which will be the starting point for our voyage home

Anchored tonight behind Ile Bailey. Peaceful and deserted

Planning started for return passage to New Zealand. Looking for a weather window to depart around November 3rd. We will clear in at Opua.

Today I rode the kiteboard a record 200 metres. Whoopee!

Sharpie rode his much further and n both directions, so we are starting to make real progress

Happily moored at Iilot Maitre in New Caledonia.

Plan to return to NZ in early November

On 630 nm passage to Havannah Passage New Caledonia

Sailing from Fiji to New Caledonia

Moored off Paradise Resort, Taveuni

reported by RCC to be in North Minerva

10kts from s is making it slow sailing to the north. So doing 7kts using engine to boost speed

Leaving Bay of Islands in New Zealand for Savusavu in Fiji

1200nm passage

Expect to arrive at Waitui Marina between 13th and 14th May 2017

Bit late, sorry everyone but just to let you know we arrived safely in Opua NZ mid morning on Sat 12/11. Will be here until it stops blowing.

On passage Noumea, New Caledonia to Opua, New Zealand. ETA Saturday 12 November

On passage Noumea, New Caledonia to Opua, New Zealand. ETA Saturday 12 November

On passage Noumea, New Caledonia to Opua, New Zealand. ETA Saturday 12 November. Current 1kt from 100 degrees M

On passage Noumea, New Caledonia to Opua, New Zealand. ETA Saturday 12 November. Current 1kt from 180 degrees M

latest position as of 18:41 on the 8th

Leaving Sunday 06/11/16 at 0700 from Kuto Bay, Ille des Pins, for Opua, New Zealand

ETA Opua is Saturday 12/11/16

Will send daily pos report via Satphone +881631591941 and boat email sharpefocus@onsatmail.com

Leaving Koumac for Noumea.

Very isolated in the far north of New Caledonia. Also anchored at uninhabited Ile Balabio. Good fishing in passes between submerged coral reefs. Electronic charts accurate so far and Nav marks in place.

New Cal coastline between Touho and Puebo is stunning with La Poule rock formation at Hieghene and the Tao water cascades the highlights. Touho was a great overnight anchorage. The local shop in the bay sold everything from baguettes, bras and eggs to petrol cans! Next door is the Marche open on Wed and Sat mornings

Ouvea anchorage off Paradis Resort, Mouli Is. in 4.6m white sand

Anchored