Crew: Dean, Caroline, Libby, Geoff.
Cook Strait Forecast: Northerly 10 kts
Perfect conditions for a Cook Strait crossing today!
After preparing Halo for the trip and giving the crew a safety briefing, we called Maritime Radio with our trip report. We cast off from Waikawa Marina at 1000 hrs, just behind Expresso. Grenadier and Tamerlane had left a little earlier.
Caroline and Libby were excited to spot a seal and some dolphins as we motor-sailed up Queen Charlotte Sound.
We caught up with Expresso in Tory Channel.
We arrived at Okukari Bay at the top of Tory Channel at 1225 hrs and made our ‘All Ships’ call on Channel 16 before entering the narrows with just the mainsail hoisted.
We were doing over 9 kts as we passed West Head. The waves were big and we had to hold on tight until we were clear of the channel about 15 minutes later. Jane on Expresso captured a great video of us bouncing through the channel.
We then hoisted the no. 3 jib and with 10 kts of northerly breeze we were able to turn the engine off and make acceptable speed with the following tide.
As we progressed across Cook Strait, the sea state became calmer, making for a delightful crossing averaging 7-8 kts SOG with the occasional large southerly swell coming through.
After passing Karori Rock, the conditions changed dramatically. The wind died away and the big swells started rolling in from the south. Welcome to the Karori Rip!
With the motor on, we had to alter course to face the waves head-on. We were about 3 Nm south of land and doing 8.5 kts SOG. It was pretty uncomfortable for a while, but fortunately it didn’t last long.
Before we cleared Sinclair Head, the sea had settled down again and we headed past Island Bay, Lyall Bay and Palmer Head. Caroline helmed Halo though Chaffers Passage while I guided her from the chart plotter.
Then we were back into the home waters of Wellington Harbour in the setting sun.
We entered Chaffers Marina at 1755 hrs and closed our trip report. Another 49.5 nautical miles added to the Halo logbook — and home safely after a great trip to the Sounds.
Windshift Tracker: https://windshift.org.nz/?s=yb5EeIDRcGTJb2Hq5l6n3yWuzqBH50lhi6QVY-F32e4
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