Crossing an ocean without sails (but with a budget)
Discussion
32 hrs into our passage to Fiji (yes , Samoa got canned) and we are in the middle of the Southern Lau group, the Oneata passage.
We left at 6am Friday in lovely conditions which turned into torrential rain and lightning storms but almost no wind ????
Surfing down big swells at 12kn was fun and I pulled fishing lines in so we would not get slowed down by catching.
Today has been glorious despite the forecast of more rain.
Slightly slower than yesterday but we are still making good time, averaging approx 8kn .
We left at 6am Friday in lovely conditions which turned into torrential rain and lightning storms but almost no wind ????
Surfing down big swells at 12kn was fun and I pulled fishing lines in so we would not get slowed down by catching.
Today has been glorious despite the forecast of more rain.
Slightly slower than yesterday but we are still making good time, averaging approx 8kn .
Things you couldn't make up Part 144
So, we changed watch at 3am, at about 4am there were 2 big seabirds screaming outside clears at rear of flybridge (which were open). I got rid of them only to find there was already one inside, nesting on the 'parcel shelf', it didn't like being poked so I went to open the big sliding window on port side. It flew at me and landed on my head !
I yanked the handle and the window flew back smashing into a million pieces - bo##ocks.
It got madder and I had to knock it off my head and grab it with a towel which I threw out the window.
Oh well, it's only money I suppose
So, we changed watch at 3am, at about 4am there were 2 big seabirds screaming outside clears at rear of flybridge (which were open). I got rid of them only to find there was already one inside, nesting on the 'parcel shelf', it didn't like being poked so I went to open the big sliding window on port side. It flew at me and landed on my head !
I yanked the handle and the window flew back smashing into a million pieces - bo##ocks.
It got madder and I had to knock it off my head and grab it with a towel which I threw out the window.
Oh well, it's only money I suppose
CharlesdeGaulle said:
How do you get connectivity whilst out at sea? Presumably a satphone with data? Expensive? Or do you catch up with posts when you pick up WiFi in port?
Starlink has been a game changer since we installed last year.Before that it was a local sim or Iridium Sat phone when on passage.
$199NZD a month for unlimited except when we do an offshore passage and have to switch on Mobile Priority at $3.50NZD per GB. We have just used 7GB over 2.5 days from Tonga, bargain !
We arrived safely in Suva after a record breaking (for us) passage of 2 days 7hrs .
Check in was reasonably simple, RSYC organised customs, immigration, bio security to come out and we were allowed to take down our Q flag.
Window replaced, provisions done, cheap drinks drunk it was time to head round to the tourist rich west side of Fiji.
Another 15hrs motoring and we were safely parked up at Musket Cove.
Virtually empty here compared to last year when there was a core group of 15 to 20 boats all cyclone season.
One thing I have to say is how different things are here to Tonga.
ITonga is a close knit community and people would do whatever they can to help/assist you.
In Fiji noone really wants to do anything, it took some serious pressure to get a company to replace glass.
I went into a bank in Suva to change Tongan cash to Fiji, first question 'Why dont you go to a currency exchange co ?' , this was at the International desk/teller !
It took an hour to change 800TOP into 700FJD despite it being almost 1:1
But they have avocados here and a selection of salad vegetables so we're happy
Check in was reasonably simple, RSYC organised customs, immigration, bio security to come out and we were allowed to take down our Q flag.
Window replaced, provisions done, cheap drinks drunk it was time to head round to the tourist rich west side of Fiji.
Another 15hrs motoring and we were safely parked up at Musket Cove.
Virtually empty here compared to last year when there was a core group of 15 to 20 boats all cyclone season.
One thing I have to say is how different things are here to Tonga.
ITonga is a close knit community and people would do whatever they can to help/assist you.
In Fiji noone really wants to do anything, it took some serious pressure to get a company to replace glass.
I went into a bank in Suva to change Tongan cash to Fiji, first question 'Why dont you go to a currency exchange co ?' , this was at the International desk/teller !
It took an hour to change 800TOP into 700FJD despite it being almost 1:1
But they have avocados here and a selection of salad vegetables so we're happy
And there has been a huge amount of enquiry for LS since it has been listed for sale.
Current front runners are a couple from NZ who wish to do exactly what we have and are flying out Feb 2 to view and a guy in PNG who has fallen in love with the pics and wants it (unseen) if he can get a year round marina berth over there
We shall see
Current front runners are a couple from NZ who wish to do exactly what we have and are flying out Feb 2 to view and a guy in PNG who has fallen in love with the pics and wants it (unseen) if he can get a year round marina berth over there
We shall see
Sooooo, I'm not sure that you would believe the number of absolute f**ktards you attract when advertising a boat like LS for sale.
The questions, the offers, the downright idiotic statements, etc all added up to make an interesting few weeks.
Questions that were asked on advert (it was on TradeMe, NZ's Ebay) publicly were answered kindly and considerately, the text messages and emails less so .
Anyway, to be fair to the few genuine buyers we advised that all viewings would be the weekend that the Kiwi couple were flying in and LS was being hauled out.
They landed, hopped in to a long boat and raced out to Musket Cove to make sure they were the first to view.
We showed them around, answered questions then fired up the motors and took them back to the mainland (Vuda Marina) where they had booked a cottage so they could see her being hauled out.
They went away for a couple of hours then came back to buy !
No offers or negotiation just a request that we would stay onboard until March when they could come back and spend a week onboard getting to know the systems.
Then we can stay onboard again until May if we wish or we will leave in marina for them (all at their expense).
Deposit was made, balance coming tomorrow, we are pretty happy with ourselves right now.
The questions, the offers, the downright idiotic statements, etc all added up to make an interesting few weeks.
Questions that were asked on advert (it was on TradeMe, NZ's Ebay) publicly were answered kindly and considerately, the text messages and emails less so .
Anyway, to be fair to the few genuine buyers we advised that all viewings would be the weekend that the Kiwi couple were flying in and LS was being hauled out.
They landed, hopped in to a long boat and raced out to Musket Cove to make sure they were the first to view.
We showed them around, answered questions then fired up the motors and took them back to the mainland (Vuda Marina) where they had booked a cottage so they could see her being hauled out.
They went away for a couple of hours then came back to buy !
No offers or negotiation just a request that we would stay onboard until March when they could come back and spend a week onboard getting to know the systems.
Then we can stay onboard again until May if we wish or we will leave in marina for them (all at their expense).
Deposit was made, balance coming tomorrow, we are pretty happy with ourselves right now.
We are definitely not finished boating !
We have made so many friends/contacts that we won't need to own a boat for a few years to get our fix.
Only last week we were both offered paid positions on a 65' sailibg cat for the forthcoming season in Tonga and Fiji.
I have also been invited to compete in the Vava'u Game Fushing tournament in Sept with the team that win last year. Quite proud of that.
We will be on the water regularly just not on our own boat
We have made so many friends/contacts that we won't need to own a boat for a few years to get our fix.
Only last week we were both offered paid positions on a 65' sailibg cat for the forthcoming season in Tonga and Fiji.
I have also been invited to compete in the Vava'u Game Fushing tournament in Sept with the team that win last year. Quite proud of that.
We will be on the water regularly just not on our own boat
We are back in the water !
The anti foul we bought was supposed to be the same light blue as previously, contractors opened the first tin and called me over. It was dark blue, almost black which was exactly what we wanted but were told it was not available (welcome to the islands !)
Props were removed and polished, shafts cleaned, new anodes, etc.
A crack was found on stb sugar scoop around swim ladder so they ground that back and added another layer of fibreglass.
A couple of minor white paint touch ups.
Mrs NNK was project managing most of this after I left for a week in NZ. Mainly to pick up my NZ passport (first time I have applied for one), renew my truck licence (just in case) and to get off LS for the first time in a while.
LS was supposed to go back in water on Friday or worst way Monday but a cyclone warning stopped Friday launch and then marina blocked us in with a massive cat (which they then had issues with lifting again) so we didnt float until wednesday.
We chugged over to Musket where we will prob sit for a couple of weeks until new owners come out for a week.
Have fun all
The anti foul we bought was supposed to be the same light blue as previously, contractors opened the first tin and called me over. It was dark blue, almost black which was exactly what we wanted but were told it was not available (welcome to the islands !)
Props were removed and polished, shafts cleaned, new anodes, etc.
A crack was found on stb sugar scoop around swim ladder so they ground that back and added another layer of fibreglass.
A couple of minor white paint touch ups.
Mrs NNK was project managing most of this after I left for a week in NZ. Mainly to pick up my NZ passport (first time I have applied for one), renew my truck licence (just in case) and to get off LS for the first time in a while.
LS was supposed to go back in water on Friday or worst way Monday but a cyclone warning stopped Friday launch and then marina blocked us in with a massive cat (which they then had issues with lifting again) so we didnt float until wednesday.
We chugged over to Musket where we will prob sit for a couple of weeks until new owners come out for a week.
Have fun all
New owners have just left after a week onboard.
They flew in, we picked them up from marina and headed straight out to Musket. Once there we were collected by friends and moved on to their boat for the time.
They based themselves at Musket but went day tripping, practicing anchoring and picking up moorings.
Only a few messages requesting info during the time.
We are back onboard now and will be organising a few things (recover seats in salon, recalibrate auto pilot, refuel, etc) for them over the next month before we tie LS on to the dock for the last time and start our new adventure in Aussie.
They flew in, we picked them up from marina and headed straight out to Musket. Once there we were collected by friends and moved on to their boat for the time.
They based themselves at Musket but went day tripping, practicing anchoring and picking up moorings.
Only a few messages requesting info during the time.
We are back onboard now and will be organising a few things (recover seats in salon, recalibrate auto pilot, refuel, etc) for them over the next month before we tie LS on to the dock for the last time and start our new adventure in Aussie.
Hello all
After what seemed like an eternity we have packed and left, currently lounging in a furnished apt in New Farm, Brisbane.
Caretaking LS turned into a bit of a pain. We couldnt really go far so were sat at the same few spots that we have sat many times before and it was just boring plus the weather was awful for a whole month.
S left a week before me so I got the task of packing, taking to freight forwarder, cleaning (wipedown every surface with vinegar solution), refuelling, etc, etc, etc.
Just as everything looked to be fine a cyclone warning came through so the staff at Vuda marina insisted that I leave the lovely west basin and put LS into their awful cyclone basin as she would be unattended for a few weeks.
Im not a big fan of Vuda at the best of times but the cyclone basin is an absolute s
t hole and I had 3 days left onboard.
A plank is required to get on/off and you have to remove it each time you use otherwise (with tide and boat movement) it will fall in.
Try walking 3 or 4 metres along a scaffold plank carrying a 25kg suitcase !
Freight forwarders were also a nightmare to deal with, I will be very surprised if our possessions turn up.
Actually thats a bit harsh, two staff were great but the main man was useless.
Start batteries isolated, fridges off and doors propped, fans and dehumidifier on - thats all I could do.
New owners will have a LOT of mould to deal with I suspect as there is zero airflow in the basin.
Housing market in Brisbane is mental at present, 20 people at every weekday open home, 100 at weekends.
More viewings today and hope to stick an offer in tomorrow (over asking).
Have fun
After what seemed like an eternity we have packed and left, currently lounging in a furnished apt in New Farm, Brisbane.
Caretaking LS turned into a bit of a pain. We couldnt really go far so were sat at the same few spots that we have sat many times before and it was just boring plus the weather was awful for a whole month.
S left a week before me so I got the task of packing, taking to freight forwarder, cleaning (wipedown every surface with vinegar solution), refuelling, etc, etc, etc.
Just as everything looked to be fine a cyclone warning came through so the staff at Vuda marina insisted that I leave the lovely west basin and put LS into their awful cyclone basin as she would be unattended for a few weeks.
Im not a big fan of Vuda at the best of times but the cyclone basin is an absolute s
t hole and I had 3 days left onboard.A plank is required to get on/off and you have to remove it each time you use otherwise (with tide and boat movement) it will fall in.
Try walking 3 or 4 metres along a scaffold plank carrying a 25kg suitcase !
Freight forwarders were also a nightmare to deal with, I will be very surprised if our possessions turn up.
Actually thats a bit harsh, two staff were great but the main man was useless.
Start batteries isolated, fridges off and doors propped, fans and dehumidifier on - thats all I could do.
New owners will have a LOT of mould to deal with I suspect as there is zero airflow in the basin.
Housing market in Brisbane is mental at present, 20 people at every weekday open home, 100 at weekends.
More viewings today and hope to stick an offer in tomorrow (over asking).
Have fun
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