Ready for the 2013/14 sailing season

www.sailbayofislands.com

I left the tradewinds of the tropics behind at the end of August and headed south back to the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Light winds along the way meant a rather slow trip, but the pace has certainly picked up since then. Preparations for the new charter season began almost as soon as Freewind was back on her mooring in Matauwhi Bay, Russell. A few charters with beautiful weather hailed the start of the season, then I took two weeks’ break to lift Freewind out of the water and do the annual maintenance work in the boatyard at Opua. Freewind went back into the water with a fresh coat of paint on her hull and looking as bright and smart as she did on her launching day. She also passed the annual NZ Maritime Safety inspection with flying colours, as always, so now we’re all good and ready for summer sailing and fun in the sun.		Freewind at the Opua boatyard after a fresh coat of paint

Sailing among the tall ships		The sailing ship Europa from Holland anchored at Roberton Island, the Bay of Islands

In October, the sailing community in the Bay of Islands had the privilege to welcome a most impressive fleet of tall ships that arrived from Sydney. It was a sight that had not been witnessed in the Bay since the sailing-ship days of the 1800s. For me - and I’m sure that for those who were on board Freewind on that day – sailing alongside these beautiful queens of the sea was an amazing experience. The traditional Maori welcome the crews received in Russell was also a most memorable event, and we hope that with the fond memories they have of the Bay of Islands, the ships will stop here again on their next round-the-world tour.

So far this season, I’ve been going out with a small number of guests on each charter and playing the role of skipper, crew and cook all in one. But as the weather warms up and more tourists arrive in the Bay of Islands, we are expecting the numbers to increase and I’m looking forward to having my crew back on board - my two daughters Eleanor and Melanie who take turns as First Mate on Freewind during their summer holidays from school and university. We are all looking forward to a great season of sailing in the sunny Bay of Islands. If you want to get away from the crowds on Christmas day or New Year’s Eve, or any other day for that matter – come and explore the untouched islands, bays and beaches of the Bay of Islands with us. Call 0800 002244 for trip details and reservations, or see www.sailbayofislands.com		First mate Eleanor at the wheel – Freewind, Bay of Islands