The inner Hauraki Gulf has some world-class day trips.

While we like to cover various cruising destinations, there are many that are available to the day-tripper too, so for those of you who use a fizzboat or trailer-sailer for your boating, here are a few really neat places close to Auckland City that you can try.

Boaties from the greater Auckland area can live as far north as Wellsford and as far to the east as Maraetai, and that doesn’t even include those who do their boating mainly on the Manukau.

We will start up north and work our way down, then out to the east… continue reading

Boating New Zealand Magazine January 2011 Issue >>

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Planning, preparation and patience are key to a successful Gulf Stream crossing or any offshore venture

Many of us on the East Cost know that a cruising and fishing paradise awaits in the Bahamas. Crystal clear, protected waters: pure white, sandy beaches dotted with swinging palm trees; an ocean full of fish, and a variety of picture perfect islands – often within a couple of miles of each other – all come together to create the ideal cruising destination. Perhaps what attracts us most in the islands’ close proximity to U.S waters. Numerous ports of entry are within 50 to 60 miles of the most popular boating centers in southern Florida … continue reading

Yachting Magazine December 2010 Issue >>

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Some of the most amazing sailing and beautiful anchorages in Europe are found in the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean off southeast Spain. Although sometimes challenging, the sailing around Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera can be heavenly. The islands offer a wide variety of topography and on-shore diversions. There’s the sophistication of Palma-Majorca’s capital-and its ancient culture, tourist beaches, traditional Spanish fiestas and superb cuisine. May and September are the best months to cruise particularly early September, when most of the holidaymakers have left, the water is warm and the winter gales have not yet set in. A useful pilot/cruising guide to keep on board is Islas Baleares produced by the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation (www.imray.com).

The Mediterranean has been compared to a …. continue reading

Inside Blue Water Sailing Magazine – December 2010 Issue

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A magical island cruise is repeated, but Jo and Ross Blackman wonder if the French Polynesia of today can match up with their memories of 29 years ago.

French Polynesia still holds so many dream-like memories for us from 29 years ago. Time seems to have been swallowed up and after six weeks back in these waters in Sojourn, it feels like we never left. A full circle of life has been completed since Ross and I first sailed here from New Zealand in 1981-82 on our Cavalier 32 Joshua with our friend Chris Brown lie. Circumnavigating the northern Marquesan island of Nuku Hiva, with its coastline of intense piercing peaks that soared forever upwards and anchorages in front of blinding-white sand beaches, stunned our senses as we reflected on times past and the local island life… continue reading

Boating New Zealand November 2010 Issue

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