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Fin Explorer
Squamish, BC
We are Steve (from Canada) and Casey (from South Africa) and we are long time water folk! We recently bought a 50 foot aluminium expedition sailboat, our absolute dreamboat! We just splashed her after one year on the hard now we are ready to explore New Zealand and beyond! Ultimate goal is Antarctica and the Arctic! (We currently work in both the film industry and the expedition cruising industry as guides in the Polar Regions and we plan on continuing to work, aiming for 4 months work and 8 months sailing.) Excited to meet fellow cruisers out there living their dream lives!
Docking in 15-20 knots of wind in a tiny narrow spot was a little stressful but surprisingly nailed it! š
Time to put the boat to bed for 6 weeks while we go back to work. Nice downwind sail with consistent 25-30 knots of wind (2 reefs in). Had one section close to the coast where we hit a strong tidal rip and everything stood up to 3+ metre waves in like 5 second periodsā¦ š¬ luckily it was short lived. Dark when we arrived so just picked up a mooring and will head to the marina in the morning after š“
Just a short trip to move anchorages but ended up being quite sporty! Wind from 8 knots gusting up beyond 30ā¦ downwinding for the win. Then took the sail down to go through a narrow pass and our intended anchorage didnāt look good so went in search of another and eventually found one.
Just a little motor to switch up our anchorage as the wind shifted directions. Found a nice little protected cove.
Started the day with motor sailing but then the wind picked up so got some really nice 15 knot upwind sailing in. Primo!!! Lots of dolphins came to check us out on the way too! Sail down to go through the narrow current filled Tory Channel and back into Marlborough Sounds. This completes our circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand!!!! š¤©
Leaving Banks Peninsula after a few days sheltering from the weather at the marina. Headed north to Marlborough Sounds, pulled into Kaikoura to see if we could spot any whales. No whales but Dusky dolphins! (The 4th dolphins species to ride our bow!!) Decided to stop and anchor for the (2nd) night as the wind died anyway. Awesome downwind sail. Overnight was spicy with 3+ metre seas at 8-9 second intervals and 25-30 knots of wind. Two reefs in and still cooking along at 8+ knots! š¤ Sleep now and will finish the trip tomorrow.
Canāt believe we are on our way north again! All the way from Stewart Island to Christchurch. First night very little wind (but bioluminescent dolphins!!!) and then pretty steady wind the rest of the trip. And made it into Lyttleton Marina before the storm hit! And had the rare Hectorās dolphins bow riding coming around the Banks Peninsula!
Quick trip around the corner to the beautiful pest free Ulva Island. The morning of rainbows!
Had to do something to get out for a little exploreā¦
