Finally, some real sailing

Bridge Marina,  Tauranga,  North Island

Tuesday 1 June 2021

Sailing from Gisborne to Tauranga continued through the night as our 4-hours ON and 4-hours OFF came and went.  On that topic, it’s strange how the four hours ON seemed to extend a lot longer than the four hours OFF, as the welcoming arms of a warm bunk enticed you back and did all it could to prevent you leaving.

Once the moon rose, the outline of the passing coastline could be seen off the port side, with the wind coming and going; trying to establish the predicted southerly flow.  The sky was mostly clear and despite its reputation for opposing seas, rising swells and tidal overruns, rounding East Cape turned out something of an anticlimax.  A welcomed anticlimax I might say – we’re not looking for unnecessary action.

Sunrise – now off our stern – saw us closing in on the infamous White Island – with the clear morning rays bringing the outcrop’s steep cliff faces to life.  A small band of dark green foliage extended a short distance up from the sea on the eastern side, beyond that, just barren, exposed, ravine-scared earth.  Plus, of course, there was the plume of sulphurous smoke and steam drifting skyward, letting all know beyond doubt that this was no ordinary island.

After a time of motor-sailing in the light airs, we finally welcomed a steady breeze from the south of around 20 knots, which propelled us along under full sail – without the motor.  Our trusty Perkins deserved a rest after days of loyal service, with the fresh breeze seeing us hit speeds of 8 knots or more. 

Lying in our bunks, the quiet, steady flow of the water beyond the hull-wall was a welcome sound, along with the gentle rise and fall, plus the angled heal, rocking us to sleep.

As we approached the harbour entrance, Mt Maunganui grew larger and larger, the channel weaving close to its rocky shore on its western side.  Finally it was time to lower the sails. First the jib on account of it preventing us from aiming more directly to our target – which was also where the wind was coming from – then the main sail as the final approach was made.

Despite the outgoing tide, we made a healthy 5-6 knots under motor up the harbour, under a blue sky but with the sun inching closer to the horizon.  It was around 4:30 that we finally tied up, an hour or so later than we’d originally anticipated, meaning that we had indeed averaged very close to 6.5 knots from Gisborne.

As a courtesy, I made a quick VHF call on Channel 73 to the Bridge Marina office to announce our arrival, and I’m glad I did.  “Welcome Chimere” came the reply from Julie … “we’ll put you on the end of B Row, rather than your berth on C Row.  You can move to the berth tomorrow at slack water”           

Julie then gave us updated instructions for tying up, and I’m glad she did, because on doing a U-turn around the end of the floating breakwater, it soon became apparent that I was still doing 2-3 knots, and the engine was in neutral.  The tidal flow was now going our way and after maneuvering around one pile, (keeping it to port) it was then a case of pulling up to a long wharf on the starboard side.   The trick to travelling “with” the current, however, is that you’ve got to go faster than the current in order to maintain water-flow over the keel and rudder, so that you can still steer.  If not, you quickly become just a piece of drift wood. 

The long and the short of it, is that lining up a wharf, doing 4 knots, in a confined space, with around 30 tons of momentum, kind of goes against all your natural instincts.  But fortunately, we have a healthy reverse gear, and the trusty crew of John, Alvin and Kate who were quick in securing the lines; before we were carried away.       

It was great to arrive, with the obligatory selfie “After shot” taken on the foredeck, minus of course Harper who had to leave us a couple of days ago in Gisborne.

While the crew tidied things up on deck and below, I went up to the office to sort out the remainder of the paperwork with Julie, who was just as helpful in person as she’d been on the radio. 

“We haven’t had many overseas yachts come through” … she explained, with the COVID19 travel restrictions effectively halting most global cruiser’s travel plans in their tracks.   Having a “TIE”, or a Temporary Import Exemption means I’m not charged the usual 15% gst on berthing fees … which all adds up.

While at the office I also picked up the keys to a car, which a very generous friend and supporter – from our Medical Sailing Ministries work in Vanuatu – had left in the nearby carpark for me to use while here. As they say in Vanuatu Tank Yu Tumas!!

Back on board, Kate and Alvin began planning their “exit strategies”, searching online for the best way to get home. Whether to hire a car, catch a bus, or maybe a plane …  In the end, Alvin booked a seat on a bus heading north to Whangarei leaving around 8:00am in the morning and Kate found a rental car, which she’s hired for three days, making for a leisurely drive down to Wellington, taking in the Hobbit tourist experience at Matamata  … check it out HERE

Kate’s homemade Thai Green Chicken Curry, which was retrieved from the freezer earlier in the day, hit the spot for dinner and soon after we each made our way to our cabins for an early, and most restful night – except for the very large number of Silver Gulls massed nearby on the concrete wharf, who kept arguing with each other for a few hours more.  

Smooth seas, fair breeze and finally, some real sailing.

Rob Latimer