Passage to New Zealand

L'Esprit de la Mer
Dr Chris Bates
Fri 16 Nov 2018 20:15
The waiting for the weather paid off . We cleared out of New Caledonia on wednesday 30th October but because of holidays did not leave untill 6th . This allowed the huge area of high which blocked all wind between here and NZ to drift a little east . We left the Amodee Pass at 1100 hrs November 6 and set course roughly south making 7knt in fine sailing conditions . The wi d gradually backed east during the day. By 9th we were near but east of Norfolk Island . Swell was coming from the south and we could see heavy cloud ahead . Predict wind showed a disturbance to west of NZ giving us strong headwinds and heavy swell . Strangely this weather barely crossed to the west of NZ . We altered course to stay out to the west of NZ avoiding the front . This eventually meant sail gave way to motor in the very light winds . We Hove To on the night of 12th to allow arrival at midday November 13 Marsden Cove where immigration,customs and biosecurity were waiting to clear us into New Zealand