Crossing an ocean without sails (but with a budget)
Discussion
Good to hear people are enjoying the read, will def carry on telling the tale although updates may slow down when we,get back out exploring properly again (mid April).
Currently back hiding at Musket where it's been blowing 30+ kn for last few days.
There are a couple of cyclones forming at present offshore although both are predicted to miss Fiji at this time.
Looks like Vanuatu then NZ will get the brunt
Currently back hiding at Musket where it's been blowing 30+ kn for last few days.
There are a couple of cyclones forming at present offshore although both are predicted to miss Fiji at this time.
Looks like Vanuatu then NZ will get the brunt
Cheers all !
I will try and sort out a pictorial boat tour (incl storage lockers) at some point soon, currently dodging some heavy showers (but still 28C)
Yes Powerdive has been great for both fun and maintenance. I used both batteries (2 hours runtime) bracing a prop shaft after getting a rope wrapped around it and smashing fibreglass support (more on that later).
Here are some pics from Fulaga -
I will try and sort out a pictorial boat tour (incl storage lockers) at some point soon, currently dodging some heavy showers (but still 28C)
Yes Powerdive has been great for both fun and maintenance. I used both batteries (2 hours runtime) bracing a prop shaft after getting a rope wrapped around it and smashing fibreglass support (more on that later).
Here are some pics from Fulaga -
robm3 said:
I'm a regular reader too. The thread is great (makes my Axopar thread look like a Mirror page 3 story, but hey, we need those too haha)
If you manage to get across to Australia (Sydney) drop me a note.
My brother is a former shipwright and my dad a boatbuilder (retired) so maybe able to assist on any bits and bobs.
Hi, your Axopar budget (purchase and running) would far exceed ours !If you manage to get across to Australia (Sydney) drop me a note.
My brother is a former shipwright and my dad a boatbuilder (retired) so maybe able to assist on any bits and bobs.
Sydney is a number of years away (if it all) as we are heading East for the next few years (Tonga, Raro, FP) but cheers for the offer.
[quote=BertieWooster]
What's the story behind these? Did some of them just get abandoned by their owners?[/quwa
The RSYC seems to have become a dumping ground for old yachts. I'm unsure if rent is still being paid or if berths are owned but there are plenty requiring more than TLC.
Suva harbour is a dumping ground for bigger ships too, there are a couple of large ships abandoned on reefs as you come in and plenty of Chinese trawlers (luckily chained together) on anchor.
I will go into more detail when I get to the part/pics when we go back there.
If you are looking for a boating bargain then Vuda is a good place to look, plenty of boats there with overseas owners wishing to liquidate.
What's the story behind these? Did some of them just get abandoned by their owners?[/quwa
The RSYC seems to have become a dumping ground for old yachts. I'm unsure if rent is still being paid or if berths are owned but there are plenty requiring more than TLC.
Suva harbour is a dumping ground for bigger ships too, there are a couple of large ships abandoned on reefs as you come in and plenty of Chinese trawlers (luckily chained together) on anchor.
I will go into more detail when I get to the part/pics when we go back there.
If you are looking for a boating bargain then Vuda is a good place to look, plenty of boats there with overseas owners wishing to liquidate.
Interesting times here at Musket !
Winds are mostly in the mid to high 20s at the moment with overnight gusts around 35kn and heavy downpours.
We are currently on a swing mooring (concrete block with chain/rope to a buoy on surface that you tie on to) as we wanted to be close to the facilities (bar, haha) when we arrived.
Other boats who were anchored further out have moved in and picked up moorings (they are $20 a night here) too.
The boat that we towed in last week has complete confidence in their anchor (as do we) and have opted to stay on the outer edge of the mooring field.
Yesterday a msg went out to our WhatsAp group asking for assistance in getting another yacht on to a mooring, no problem you might think but -
Not the best conditions
Yacht has no motor
Its a 68' ex Round The World racer being converted to a cruiser (on a budget!)
Noisy dog onboard !
The guy who looks after the moorings dived on a couple of them and came back with the advice that No.7 was the best one to go for.
Unfortunately its the one directly infront of us !
It has been thrashing around in the wind ever since and is making us more than a little nervous. A raceboat size hole in the side of LS would seriously curtail 2023s fun.
Apparently it only weighs 10t so the mooring should have no problem but, by my reckoning, the field is only meant for boats up to a max of 55'/16ish m so if wind direction changes it could cause some issues for other boats.
Would love to move to another mooring now but its not the easiest thing to do in these conditions, if wind dies down a bit this pm then maybe we will risk it - more later !
Winds are mostly in the mid to high 20s at the moment with overnight gusts around 35kn and heavy downpours.
We are currently on a swing mooring (concrete block with chain/rope to a buoy on surface that you tie on to) as we wanted to be close to the facilities (bar, haha) when we arrived.
Other boats who were anchored further out have moved in and picked up moorings (they are $20 a night here) too.
The boat that we towed in last week has complete confidence in their anchor (as do we) and have opted to stay on the outer edge of the mooring field.
Yesterday a msg went out to our WhatsAp group asking for assistance in getting another yacht on to a mooring, no problem you might think but -
Not the best conditions
Yacht has no motor
Its a 68' ex Round The World racer being converted to a cruiser (on a budget!)
Noisy dog onboard !
The guy who looks after the moorings dived on a couple of them and came back with the advice that No.7 was the best one to go for.
Unfortunately its the one directly infront of us !
It has been thrashing around in the wind ever since and is making us more than a little nervous. A raceboat size hole in the side of LS would seriously curtail 2023s fun.
Apparently it only weighs 10t so the mooring should have no problem but, by my reckoning, the field is only meant for boats up to a max of 55'/16ish m so if wind direction changes it could cause some issues for other boats.
Would love to move to another mooring now but its not the easiest thing to do in these conditions, if wind dies down a bit this pm then maybe we will risk it - more later !
BertieWooster said:
That's really interesting. Thank you.
I saw what appeared to be the Chinese trawlers all tied up together when I looked on Google Maps yesterday.
I wonder how good the bargains are though, with all the work that will need to be done to get the boats seaworthy again.
There are a number of boats at Vuda marina that are usable immediately and others that would need some work to go offshore again.I saw what appeared to be the Chinese trawlers all tied up together when I looked on Google Maps yesterday.
I wonder how good the bargains are though, with all the work that will need to be done to get the boats seaworthy again.
I know of a 45' yacht there that sailed from USA and the owners have just moved ashore in Fiji, 50k USD is asking.
Others are scattered around and often in a bad state like at RSYC.
Weather update
Not looking too flash for us now, current predictions show consistent 35kn with gusts of 50kn coming at weekend off the back of another cyclone , KEVIN (my name incidentally).
Denarau marina has already moved boats from swing moorings to dock and here at Musket the owners would like us all to move.
It may be too late for that and we may just have to hunker down and ride it out, decision in morning when more updates come in.
Not looking too flash for us now, current predictions show consistent 35kn with gusts of 50kn coming at weekend off the back of another cyclone , KEVIN (my name incidentally).
Denarau marina has already moved boats from swing moorings to dock and here at Musket the owners would like us all to move.
It may be too late for that and we may just have to hunker down and ride it out, decision in morning when more updates come in.
Hurrah, the several weather models have all aligned and are showing much less severe conditions.
However, our Genset has given up and is not making power when hot (after about 20mins runtime).
No solar and no Genset means we currently have both motors running to charge house batteries.
Do we run to Denarau/Vuda or sit out storm here and get fixed next week ? Answers on a postcard to ......
However, our Genset has given up and is not making power when hot (after about 20mins runtime).
No solar and no Genset means we currently have both motors running to charge house batteries.
Do we run to Denarau/Vuda or sit out storm here and get fixed next week ? Answers on a postcard to ......
OK, with the addition of a large fan in the front locker I can get the genset to make power for 30-40 mins at a time, there is also a small amount of solar trickling into batteries so we have decided to stay put for the next couple of days.
Sonya is in Musket at present finding out at what stage we can go into their marina dock and plug into shore power.
We have to go into Vuda marina within the next week or so to have a new cover fitted at rear so will get checked gen out then too.
I have spoken to electrical contractor who did some work last time we were there and I've asked him to get an AVR in for us as I'm quietly confident thats the issue.
Sonya is in Musket at present finding out at what stage we can go into their marina dock and plug into shore power.
We have to go into Vuda marina within the next week or so to have a new cover fitted at rear so will get checked gen out then too.
I have spoken to electrical contractor who did some work last time we were there and I've asked him to get an AVR in for us as I'm quietly confident thats the issue.
We were asked to move from mooring as Fiji Met office were predicting 50+kn winds still.
This is really just covering their backs as they wouldnt actually kick you off but wanted you to know they would not be liable for anything - fair IMO.
Yacht Club manager asked if we wanted to go into their cyclone shelter (a large horseshoe marina behind resort reception/cafe) and we said yes as we could plug into shore power (although we were getting plenty of solar through light clouds).
So we are tucked up safely for the next couple of days as TC KEVIN blows through, OK its just the tail.
Nothing much to do but load up some pics as requested.
This is really just covering their backs as they wouldnt actually kick you off but wanted you to know they would not be liable for anything - fair IMO.
Yacht Club manager asked if we wanted to go into their cyclone shelter (a large horseshoe marina behind resort reception/cafe) and we said yes as we could plug into shore power (although we were getting plenty of solar through light clouds).
So we are tucked up safely for the next couple of days as TC KEVIN blows through, OK its just the tail.
Nothing much to do but load up some pics as requested.
Anchor - Rocna 33kg, we have never dragged and have been in 50kn before.
The black lines in pic are how we attach to a mooring ball
Starboard front locker showing steps down and genset (plus random crap strewn around)
Opposite genset is a 250L diesel tank (installed by me) and 16 x 20L jerry cans
The black lines in pic are how we attach to a mooring ball
Starboard front locker showing steps down and genset (plus random crap strewn around)
Opposite genset is a 250L diesel tank (installed by me) and 16 x 20L jerry cans
The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed something new in the last pic - a wakeboard.
Not ours, our guests bought it from another cruiser when moored next to us.
I am the only one onboard who can get up on one so it was down to me to teach.
We first tried behind our dinghy and soon realised 15hp wasnt going to do it. Over to another friends boat and they kindly offered the use of their 4m w/40hp 4 stroke dinghy - next attempt and I was up !
Now I havent been on a board for 5 years and this was the first time in the sea (lakes and rivers only previously) so my first attempt at a jump didnt quite go to plan.
No worries, I got back up again easily so was now in a position to teach correctly.
Craig was up first and he didnt like having his feet strapped in, I explained it feels uncomfortable at first but you get used to it. After many attempts, some close to getting up, he gave in. Just then another boat called out asking if he could have a go.
Dion is a surfer and kite boarder and he hopped into the dinghy clutching his own board, more rectangular than a wakeboard and just with loops for your feet rather than boats, I could see what was going to happen here.
A couple of attempts and he was up, a few carves around the bay then a jump attempt which he also botched - phew.
Now Craig wanted a try on that board, I advised not to as I could see ankle injuries ahead. Luckily I was wrong but he still couldnt get up and his feet kept slipping out so he agreed that his own board wuld be better to learn on.
Not ours, our guests bought it from another cruiser when moored next to us.
I am the only one onboard who can get up on one so it was down to me to teach.
We first tried behind our dinghy and soon realised 15hp wasnt going to do it. Over to another friends boat and they kindly offered the use of their 4m w/40hp 4 stroke dinghy - next attempt and I was up !
Now I havent been on a board for 5 years and this was the first time in the sea (lakes and rivers only previously) so my first attempt at a jump didnt quite go to plan.
No worries, I got back up again easily so was now in a position to teach correctly.
Craig was up first and he didnt like having his feet strapped in, I explained it feels uncomfortable at first but you get used to it. After many attempts, some close to getting up, he gave in. Just then another boat called out asking if he could have a go.
Dion is a surfer and kite boarder and he hopped into the dinghy clutching his own board, more rectangular than a wakeboard and just with loops for your feet rather than boats, I could see what was going to happen here.
A couple of attempts and he was up, a few carves around the bay then a jump attempt which he also botched - phew.
Now Craig wanted a try on that board, I advised not to as I could see ankle injuries ahead. Luckily I was wrong but he still couldnt get up and his feet kept slipping out so he agreed that his own board wuld be better to learn on.
Yay !
My Fiji visa has been renewed !
Upon arrival in Fiji you get a 4m visa at its expiry you can apply for a 2m extension which we did. We never heard back from Immigration and could never get hold of them on phone so when in Suva we went in to their office. We were advised it was all approved and if we had our passports they could stamp them which we did.
On expiry I applied for another 2m, wife didnt need to as she had just been to NZ so had another 4m. Again we never heard anything but presumed it had been approved.
In January we were told about a special yachties visa which gives 6m, excellent so I applied immediately, wife was off to NZ again so didnt need to.
Roll on to end of Feb and friends want to book flights to visit us in June/July so I thought I'd chase visa.
Nothing, nothing, nothing.
Local immigration can tell us nothing except they have received payment and it has gone to Suva.
Suva say they are awaiting proof of payment from local office.
Email copy receipt to Suva, not good enough, they require conf from their local office.
Chase, chase, chase - nothing.
Give up, tell friends to book anyway as surely immigration would be on to me by now if I wasnt allowed to stay.
Last week we decide we will be in French Polynesia for the next cyclone season. Since Brexit I/we can now only get a 3m visa on arrival in Tahiti which cannot be renewed without leaving. Alternative is to apply for 12m visa now but you require proof that you are legally in the country you are applying from - grrrrr.
Back to the chase !
After many circles and a few unhappy people that I had managed to get their mobile numbers from underlings an email has finally arrived - I'm legal !
Best part is they have given me 6m from issue date not application date so we dont need to leave the day after friends depart, although it will be close as we want to be in Tonga for whale migratory season (lets hope I dont catch one of those ).
My Fiji visa has been renewed !
Upon arrival in Fiji you get a 4m visa at its expiry you can apply for a 2m extension which we did. We never heard back from Immigration and could never get hold of them on phone so when in Suva we went in to their office. We were advised it was all approved and if we had our passports they could stamp them which we did.
On expiry I applied for another 2m, wife didnt need to as she had just been to NZ so had another 4m. Again we never heard anything but presumed it had been approved.
In January we were told about a special yachties visa which gives 6m, excellent so I applied immediately, wife was off to NZ again so didnt need to.
Roll on to end of Feb and friends want to book flights to visit us in June/July so I thought I'd chase visa.
Nothing, nothing, nothing.
Local immigration can tell us nothing except they have received payment and it has gone to Suva.
Suva say they are awaiting proof of payment from local office.
Email copy receipt to Suva, not good enough, they require conf from their local office.
Chase, chase, chase - nothing.
Give up, tell friends to book anyway as surely immigration would be on to me by now if I wasnt allowed to stay.
Last week we decide we will be in French Polynesia for the next cyclone season. Since Brexit I/we can now only get a 3m visa on arrival in Tahiti which cannot be renewed without leaving. Alternative is to apply for 12m visa now but you require proof that you are legally in the country you are applying from - grrrrr.
Back to the chase !
After many circles and a few unhappy people that I had managed to get their mobile numbers from underlings an email has finally arrived - I'm legal !
Best part is they have given me 6m from issue date not application date so we dont need to leave the day after friends depart, although it will be close as we want to be in Tonga for whale migratory season (lets hope I dont catch one of those ).
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