RTYC New Zealand cruise to the Bay of Islands — 19 March '10

19 March –27 March

This is a great opportunity to cruise in a world-famous cruising ground with much of the planning and organisation being done by our reciprocal club, the RNZYS. It is expected that some others from ICOYC clubs will join us, giving a very international flavour to the occasion.

The Event

The cruise will start with a reception and dinner at the RNZYS Clubhouse at Westhaven close to the Viaduct Basin, former home of the America's Cup in 2000 and 2003.

The following day a bus will take the group the three hours north to Opua, in the Bay of Islands, charter boats will be arranged and ready to start out that afternoon for Russell or Te Hue Hue. Next, on to Parakura Bay and a visit to Rawhitipa where a Maori welcome will be laid on. The rally then progresses, with possible anchorages in Paradise Bay or Endicott Bay on   Urepukapuka Island offering swimming, walking or fishing. Other suggested anchorages include Marsden Cove,    Robinson Island and a sail via black rocks to Kawarau Island with a last night dinner at the KeriKeri Sailing Club. 

Fri 19th  March Arrival Auckland, accommodation  arranged at Auckland City hotel.  4.pm  RNZYS Friday Rum race invitation. 7pm Evening Welcome dinner party at RNZYS Westhaven.

Sat 20th March 9am  Depart Auckland by Coach for Opua in the Bay of Islands, visit Matakohe Kauri Museum, lunch at  Whangarei Town Basin  arrive Opua 2pm. Pick up charter boats and provisions, short passage to Russell (the first Capital of NZ)  to moor overnight and visit this early NZ town.

Sun 21st March Excursion to Waitangi for cultural experience at Treaty Grounds transport via ferry from Russell. Sail to Parakura Bay for next anchorage .     

Mon 22nd March Sail to Paradise bay or Endicott's bay on Urepukapuka Island, day of recreation swimming , fishing walking.  Meal at Otehei Bay. Alternative if conditions suitable a long sail around Cape Brett to Whangamumu harbour a landlocked early whaling station site.

Tues 23rd March Sail to Deep Water cove or Oke Bayt Urepukapuka and close by inner islands and beaches ,walks ashore.

Wed 24th March  Sail to Sail to Motourua Island and other islands in the vicinity. Shore excursions and exploring the coastline. Moor for night in one of the sheltered anchorages in this area

Thurs 25th March Sail to Marsden Cove on North side of Bay.

Fri  26th March Sail via black rocks and Motoroa Island to Doves Bay Marina  for the evening.  Cruise closing dinner at KeriKeri yacht Club looking over the Inlet.

Sat 27th March Return by 12 noon to Opua after a short sail via Kent Passage and past Russell.  Coach transport back to Auckland or alternative optional excursions.

There are currently some very good deals to be had on flights to and from this part of the World and the timing of the occasion catches the late summer when the sea is still warm but the family holidays are over.

The RTYC event manager is Richard Prest, with the RNZYS organisation being done by their past Commodore David Charlesworth. Email sailsec@royalthames.com to register an interest in joining our 2010 New Zealand Rally and be put straight into the information loop.

 All this information is available to download in a PDF format by clicking here.

Yacht Charter - Pencil Bookings Made

.     Pencil bookings have been made on all of the bare boat charter boats on the schedule.

      The charter companies will hold these for one week until Friday 7th August at which time a booking form will need to be completed and a deposit will be expected within seven days of being invoiced.  

     Bareboat Charter Booking Forms: 

      Please download, fill in the relevant form and return directly to the Charter Company.A copy of the booking form should also be sent to the RTYC Sailing Office sailsec@royalthames.com and Craig Peploe, CEO of RNZYS cpeploe@rnzys.org.nz     

      SAILAWAY CHARTERS

      Carribean Girl Agreement		

      Carribean Girl Experience Sheet

      FAIRWIND CHARTERS

      Large Boat Fleet	

      Small Boat Fleet	

      Included Equipment 	

      Rates		

      Charter Details

      MOORINGS   

      Beneteau 381	

      Moorings 41.3	

      Moorings 352	

      Moorings 353	

      Moorings 403	

      Sunsail 433	

      Sunsail 331	

      Terms & Conditions	

      Booking Form	

      Liability Form

Other ways to participate

  

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are chartering a Danish built Brigantine named the "Soren Larson", featured in the Onedin Line amongst others.  Comfortable Berths are available on what will become the mother ship for this rally.  This is a way in which individual members or couples can join the rally without having to find a whole charter crew.  Details are available by clicking on this link. The number of berths are limited and an early commitment might be wise.

 

There is also a possibility that Royal Thames members could join RNZYS yachts that are taking part in the rally.  Anyone interested in doing this should contact Presteza@mac.com 

 

This cruise round the Bay of Islands looks like being an epic event, with the added possibility of watching the Louis Vuitton matchracing series taking place during the preceding week. 

 

Richard Prest