I still admit to being a slack blogger, but it has taken a few weeks to get logged on again.
Success at last.

Yes Tusk is still in the family. Needs a paint job and some ongoing maintenance but that is what happens as the technology wears out, Need to win Lotto,

This year 2017 is a number of adventures with my old mate Mac. First up we did a 9 day cruise on Tusk, Great Barrier, Mokes, Cuvier, and Mercs where we met up with Andrew and his mates.

Here is Mac keeping an eye out on the Marlin lures. Not a sign all week.

Arid Island at sunset from secret evening snapper fishing spot.

Momona Bay and Sheep's cove Great Mercury Island

Tusk meets up with Reefie, Andrew and his mates.

Then the kettle is put on and everybody piles on Tusk for a cuppa.

After the trip Mac and myself spent time training to do our International Certificate of Competence for his next adventure on his new boat in the European Canals but we got easily distracted with the future winner of the America's Cup - Emirates Team NZ.

Just watch those cyclists, they can make this boat fly.....

ENJOY. We think that is the best view ever.

Photos and videos thanks to Mac.

This blog has been resurrected to feature some highlights of my trip this month to Europe to get on the go Mac's new canal cruiser Ketanga. So watch out for some new stuff all on fresh water!

Cellphone linkup

This is a test to enter my blog from my cell phone.

Volvo Race Start

Sunday 18th March, at the last moment we decided to go out and watch the start of this race. We joined a large number of boats on the harbour and had a viewing good spot just of the Bayswater Marina. Shortest trip we have done in along while without burning much diesel. The harbour bridge was behind us and the start line was on the left side of the picture below.

This picture shows Abu Dhabi hoisting their main sail. Due to the strong easterly wind at Cape Colville at this stage we did know this boat would eventually be be back in Auckland before the night was up with a damaged hull.

This shows the fleet soon after the start when they did a lap of the harbour.
Great fleet racing.

Six yachts and only one made it the whole way to Brazil without damage support.
Just shows how tough the southern ocean is when you head round Cape Horn a month later than recommended.

Camper and Telefonica churn up the harbour for the second leg. They are reaching, not tacking.

Final picture showing Abu Dhabi and Groupama heading for the Rangitoto Channel, the Hauraki Gulf and then the Southern Ocean. They had a very short stay in Auckland, just over a week.

Mid March, just itching for a decent dive trip....if only the weather would let us.
Had a plan to visit the Bay of Islands, but that did not work out, but my return crew, Steve and Mary were keen for a weekend away. Despite a forecast of easterly winds we head to the Coromandel Peninsula for a weekend look around and some fishing.

On the way down the harbour we passed this replica Polynesian voyaging canoe. She was a fine sight heading out to see down the Rangitoto Channel so I detoured for a closer look. The weather all weekend was overcast and damp, with easterly winds. We ended up at TeKouma Harbour for two nights and fished and tiki toured the local area.
This is an interesting catch a baby hammerhead, who took our snapper bait.

 One thing about travelling with Steve and Mary is that they do improve the quality of the coffee and table each night for dinner, plus they are great company to be with. Both are very keen divers and just love getting out on the water.
This picture Steve is navigating and he is focussed.....'Paul the Pilot' is steering, the autopilot that it is.

It was a good weekend we caught lots of panny snapper and all went home with fish fillets. the water was dirty and the diving a no go activity. Perhaps next time we will get the crystal clear water we all love.
Tusk performed really well.

A lousy summer

The good ship Tusk has not had a tough summer this season. The weather has not been very helpful.
What is worse I have been reading other folk's blogs and doing nothing extra on mine.

On Christmas day I learnt that Mick Ellwood passed away. A great diver, family man and one of the best charter skippers on the water, with the Whai. I was a long term client of Mick but could count on him as a friend. This picture shows Mick looking forward to putting the hammer down on Tusk in Mercury Bay.. His funeral was a miserable wet Whitianga day but a celebration of a great life. I am now writing some of my early Whai stories up for the Ellwood family who are putting a collection together and it is fun.

Easter Trip

Well I am getting very lazy at not keeping this blog up todate, so lets make amend with Easter.
Prior to Easter I had spent 5 weeks in a row working in Australia, the money is better there!
My son and his two flatmates drove up from New Plymouth and we departed Westhaven for Kawau Island at 7.30 pm. With Radar Tusk can travel the darkest nights. We anchored for the night in Saleyard Bay, on the north side of Bon Accord harbour.

Departing Saleyard Bay just after sun rise.

 Early next morning with the sun coming up I sipped on a cup of fresh tea and took the boat out to the Barrier whilst the young blokes slept. The best time of the day for cruising in my opinion.
The departure through the North Channel was uneventful and the sea conditions perfect for the trip to the Barrier.  It is 25 miles from North Channel to the entrance to Man O War passage.

This photo shows looking back to North Channel with Kawau Island on the left.

The next two days were uneventful, a few snapper and crayfish.We spent one night in Fitzroy Harbour and another in Tryphena harbour. Fuel was a problem as I had left home without topping the tank, so a return to Fitzroy to top up was called for.
No complaints, but the weather forecast for Easter Monday was not flash so we made the dash for the bottom end of Waiheke on Sunday morning. We had some fun fishing the white water at Channel island, then off Port Jackson we spotted the gaff rigger yacht Wairiki under full sail being sailed by Jason Prew and a companion. So these photos are of Wairiki, unfortunately I missed a picture of her with her topsail set. But she still looked a fine sight.

 Wairiki sailing with Cape Colville in the background.

Port Jackson is immediately behind Wairiki. Look at the length of that boom.

 There is something special when one sees an old gaffer being sailed really well.

Just wished I got apicture of her with the topsail set. Wairiki had sailed back from Tauranga.

We ended up heading in late Sunday evening and that was great as it rained all day Easter Monday.

The trip home

I must get this blog up todate fast as February is nearly finished.
Number one and only son wanted to get back to New Plymouth Saturday so after transferring from the Whai back to Tusk we headed to the barrier for Thursday night the 6th January. It was a great trip up to Tryphena harbour, light easterly swell and a few skippies to be caught.Unfortunately the once keen crew were so tired they slept and the autopilot steered the boat and I alone enjoyed the scenery. Great Mercury Cove to Tryphena Harbour Great Barrier is a great trip, the closest you get to the Coromandel peninsula is about 5 to 6 miles and the 21 miles at trolling speed of 7 knots does not take long to roll off the miles.The crew were gone burgers, so no fresh scallops and only the skipper wanted to fish that perfect evening for a big snapper. As the bait fisherman were not successful the first snapper were landed with soft baits, then using the belly pieces of one snapper on a flasher rig I caught this 6 kg beauty.

Snapper, of Tryphena harbour, 6th January 2011

Just after dark we slipped into Mulberry Grove Bay to anchor in 5 metres of water. Good holding in a light easterly wind. The last night an sea always demands a good feed, scallops and fish and a few nightcaps.
Awaking early on Friday morning I made a mug of tea, let the boys sleep, hoisted anchor and headed for Auckland, not even bothering to fish. The next 4.5 hours were spent cleaning the boat, packing the gear and noting the work that would have to be done, finally arriving at the marina at noon. The end of a great cruise.