Five Wellington boats, Gucci, Annie, Matatoa, Rattler and Halo, sailed over to Nelson to join the fleet of 27 yachts in the regatta. We enjoyed four days of racing in near perfect sailing conditions.
On Friday we collected our registration packs at the TBCC club rooms. The nice Evolution Sails carry-bag with all the sponsors goodies, included a bottle of Mount Gay Barbados rum. “A good start” says Tunch!
That evening we invited Jim and Lindie down to Halo for a delicious fish dinner prepared by Tunch.
Day 1 – Saturday 18 January
Crew: Geoff, Tunch, John, Jim, Jamie.
After the race briefing at 0930 hrs we headed out The Cut into Tasman Bay. The Cruising Division 2 course was announced on VHF ch. 77 by Race Officer Tam from the yacht CooEee: Start – Glen Marine Inner Mark – Finish off Transition (a large motor launch) with 1100 hrs start.
We located the mark on our chartplotter. A buoy marking the inner boundary of the Horoirangi Marine Reserve between Glenduan and Pepin Island.
We arrived at the pre-start area and rigged up the light #1 genoa with full mainsail. Positions were allocated. John on bow, Jamie and Tunch trimmers, Jim on mainsheet and keys, and me on helm.
After circling around the start line waiting for the sea breeze they eventually started the race at 1225 hrs. We had a great start. First over the line, but Roma an Elan 33, was sailing well and overtook us to windward.
Anbar, a Pacific 38 initially gained on us but we kept ahead of them as we improved our sail trim and sailed along the Boulder Bank towards the marine reserve.
There was one boat ahead of us, Roma, as we approached the top mark. We saw a kayaker fishing right by the buoy on the edge of the marine reserve. The crew of Roma exchanged loud words with him as they had to bear away to round him. We were lucky he had cleared off by the time we rounded the mark.
On the way back after passing Schnapper Point John hoisted our medium spinnaker for the reach back to the finish. We crossed the line at 1507 hrs just behind Roma but ahead of the rest of the fleet.
Day 1 – 15 miles, 5 hours
It was pretty hot by now. After motoring back into the harbour we dropped the anchor in front of the Nelson Yacht Club and jumped in the sea for a refreshing swim.
Back at the club for prize giving it was announced Halo had come first on handicap for Division 2. A great start to the regatta!
That evening we all went up to Jim and Lindie’s house for a wonderful BBQ on their deck overlooking the bay.
Day 2 – Sunday 19 January
Another still morning in Nelson Marina with easterly breezes forecast to increase up to 10-15 kts
With the same crew and positions on Halo as yesterday we cast off from the marina at 1000 hrs and made our way towards the pre-start area. Our course was announced in the radio by Tam: Start – Boulder Bank North – North Cardinal – Mapua North Cardinal to starboard – Finish.
The race kicked off at 1105 hrs with our light #1 genoa and full main rigged. A close start, neck and neck with Roma and Grasshopper.
We headed north east towards the Boulder Bank mark.
After two tacks we gybed round the Boulder Bank mark at 1121 hrs, behind Roma but ahead of Grasshopper.
John quickly hoisted our medium kite as we chased Roma past the North Cardinal towards Mapua.
Much of this leg was dead downwind. This disadvantaged Roma with their gennaker and we were able to pass them. We gybed the kite before rounding the Mapua mark at 1242 hrs.
We then sailed on a relaxing close reach back across the bay. Jim and John took turns on helm and Tunch kept us sustained with yummy sandwiches.
We eventually located the committee boat Transition and crossed the finish line at 1440 hrs.
Day 2 – 25 miles, 5 hours
At the club house that evening we once again picked up first place on handicap and Annie came second. More prizes from the generous sponsors and a fun time was had socialising with the other crews.
Day 3 – Monday 20 January
The big day. Today’s race will take us to Abel Tasman National Park. All divisions have the same course up around Adele Island and into Torrent Bay.
Crew: Geoff, Tunch, John, Jim, Eduardo.
Jamie had to fly back to Wellington to work and Eduardo flew in last night to join us. We cast off from the marina at 0920 hrs and motored out to the race start area.
No wind at all so far and we had to wait around for Nelson’s usual sea breeze to arrive. Lots of hi-jinks and people jumping off their boats to cool off. I gave our hull a quick wipe-down.
Division 2 started at 1046 hrs in a very light breeze. Halo was first over the line but doing just 2.5 kts on a starboard tack. We noticed some other boats in our division including Roma, heading off on port tack behind us. Mmm, maybe we should follow them?
We tacked on to port tack but found that as well as going slower we were being knocked. After a few minutes we went back on to starboard tack. Better speed and were certainly pointing in a better direction.
We continued close-hauled following the wind which was veering to the east. This gave us a nice curve up the coast, west of the protected marine reserve and past Kaiteriteri.
We passed Marahau at 1440 hrs and eventually tacked at Coquille Bay to pass Fisherman Island and Motuareronui /Adele Island. We saw Roma now ahead of us us. Chilli Sauce, a Lotus 9.2 was close behind us.
Then it was out past Hapuka Reef for a couple more tacks before rounding Pitt Head to cross the finish line off Bon Chance in Torrent Bay at 1552 hrs. We made it!
Day 3 – 30 miles, 7 hours
We dropped the sails and motored into The Anchorage to find a suitable place to drop our pick.
After a bit of trial and error we eventually found a nice spot then it was time for a cold beer and a well deserved rest!
As it would be a bit crowded on Halo, Jim had brought his tent along. He took the dinghy and set up camp at the nearby DOC campsite.
Party time!
Bob McVeigh, who was anchored nearby on L’Attitude Adjustment, kindly ferried us ashore with his big tender. We enjoyed a great BBQ hosted by Tasman Bay Cruising Club. A wonderful time was had by all.
During the night the light breeze did swing round to the south so we were pleased to have left plenty of room between Halo and the other boats.
Day 4 – Tuesday 21 January
After a great cooked breakfast prepared by Tunch we weighed the anchor and headed off to the start area.
Our start line was off the yacht Bon Chance at 1015 hrs with a light northerly breeze. We did a practice approach to the line then went back round to start on starboard tack in between Annie and Chilli Sauce.
We then gybed round to head south towards Nelson – in the front of the fleet!
Pretty soon we found Roma on our tail and slowly passing us with their gennaker flying well.
It would be marginal to fly our kite but we decided to try it out. Initially we struggled to get it set well as Roma disappeared off to the east.
Eventually the wind backed round behind us and we were able to pull the pole back as we sailed downwind. Perfect!
We had a great sail across the bay as we took turns on the helm and enjoyed Tunch’s gourmet sandwiches.
We eventually spotted the committee boat Transition and crossed the finish line at 1442 hrs. First on line!
Day 4 – 25 miles, 7 hours
In the packed club house that night club commodore Dave Forsyth announced the overall regatta winners; Romeo Division – Gucci, Cruising Division 1 – Bootlegger, and Cruising Division 2 – Halo!
We went to Jim and Lindie’s for a celebratory dinner and then back to the boat for a good sleep before an early start for our return to Wellington.
Thanks to Tasman Bay Cruising Club for putting on another successful regatta with wonderful sailing, excellent hospitality and great weather in sunny Nelson!
Halo Log Book 