A sailing trip with a difference!

www.sailbayofislands.com

Q: What is “the difference” about Freewind Charters?

A: Just about everything!

The boat, the captain, and the way each guest is welcomed on board.

	Highlights from the 2012-13 season
Kayaking with the dolphins	Anchored at Whangamumu Harbour	The “hole in the rock”

The boat – “unique” is the best word to describe Freewind, Ron’s design and creation, meticulously and lovingly home built (see Building Freewind), an ocean-going vessel with all the home comforts. After 15 years as our family’s cruising boat, she was converted to accommodate 8 guests on overnight charters. Fast and sturdy, you’ll be surprised at her roomy cosy interior and delight in the graceful way she sails the seas.

The skipper – although most captains are exceptional, each in their own way, anyone that has met Captain Ron will agree the he is one-of-a-kind. You’ll never tire of listening to his yarns, recalling his South Seas adventures and roamings along the New Zealand coast. Watching his seamanship is a unique experience: a sailor that sails his boat as an extension of himself and knows his cruising grounds like the back of his hand.

Our guests – from the moment you step on board Freewind we want you to get into “Freewind mode”: get away from the ties of shore and let the wind take you to one of the world’s best cruising spots: the Bay of Islands. We always have small groups on board, so each one of our guests gets full attention. From the minute we get your enquiry and make your reservation, through planning your itinerary and the activities on board or ashore, to preparing your meals and showing you the best of the Bay, you’ll encounter genuine Freewind hospitality. We really want you to experience what sailing is all about, and what better place to do this than in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

So if you’re looking for a true sailing experience and a “trip with a difference” then look no further - join Freewind on one of her day or overnight Bay of Islands cruises.

 

For reservations, www.sailbayofislands.com, or call 0800 002244

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Quote of the Day

Of all the things that man has made, none is so full of interest and charm,

none possesses so distinct a life and character of its own, as a ship.

-Henry Van Dyke

Freewind back from the South Pacific

 www.sailbayofislands.com

Freewind is back on her mooring in Matauwhi Bay, Russell, and Ron is busy with preparations for the new chartering season – sail repair, engine maintenance, a fresh coat of varnish, etc.

 

The passage across from Fiji last month was blissfully uneventful and Ron, single-handing, managed to navigate Freewind between the low-pressure weather systems that plagued the area between Fiji and New Zealand and bring boat and crew safely home.

 

This is what it looked like through the lens of his camera:

 

Heading south to New Zealand	Calm seas and rainbow skies

 Dolphins and the unfortunate flying fish that landed on Freewind’s deck were the sailor’s only company; the sunsets and sunrises were inspirational.

Our first charter cruises in the Bay of Islands will begin this month and our reservations calendar is starting to fill up. We have scheduled day trips and overnight trips, as well as special custom-tailored cruises for groups and couples. So if you’re interested in a scheduled or exclusive tour of the Bay of Islands, please check our trip details on www.sailbayofislands; if you have any further queries please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re here to help make your visit to the Bay of Islands one that is full of wonderful memories!

Looking forward to seeing you all on the water,

Ron and the Freewind crew

Charter season 2011-12 coming to an end

www.sailbayofislands.com

Hi everyone,

The 2011-12 charter season in New Zealand has came to an end, with some amazing late summer weather – those clear cloudless days we yearned for during January.
Freewind will be heading off to the South Pacific for a few months and will be back in the Bay of Islands in September.
It was a pleasure to be able to show all our guests the Bay of Islands at its best. As you can see from recent photos sent by our guests, we had picture-perfect days, the fishing was bountiful, and the friendly dolphins were there to say hello.
Those that made the effort to climb up the trail to the top of the hill at Army Bay (Motorua Island) and at Roberton Island were rewarded with magnificent views of the Bay in all its glory.

Freewind (centre) anchored in Army Bay, Motorua Island      photo: Rob Orme		Another amazing photo, looking over Motorua towards Cape Brett                   photo: Rob Orme

Just wanted to drop you a note of thanks for our trip with you. We had a truly magical trip which we will all remember for a long time. Ron, you were an excellent host and the food was lovely. The trip had everything we could have wanted – great sailing, beautiful scenery, wildlife and fishing… We were truly blessed with the weather which followed us for the next 2 weeks across NZ!            -- Caroline and Rob

	Sunsets were magnificent and the early mornings were tranquil and serene, perfect for a casual kayak or some time out, before sitting down to enjoy Ron’s famous hearty breakfast. photos: Kris Niles
Sunset at Paradise Bay, Urupukapuka Island		Time out

photo: Caroline Bennett		photo: Cori Niles

And speaking of food – there was plenty of freshly caught fish and mussels to share. Ron had to admit his culinary skills were challenged once or twice by his guests who cooked some delicious seafood dishes, in keeping up with the captain’s first-class creations from the galley and the barbeque.

“No amount of imagination could stretch this one to legal size” Kris         photo: Cori Niles		This one, on the other hand, ended up      on the plate                   photo: Kris Niles

As the days are getting shorter and the temperatures dropping here in New Zealand, it is time to think of heading north to the warmer waters of the South Pacific, and Ron is doing exactly that; repairing sails and checking gear, provisioning for the passage and getting into “cruising mode”. Hoping to leave around mid-May, weather permitting. Watch this space for updates.

And finally, thank you to all our guests for the wonderful feedback you have been sending us, like this one:

Thanks again for the awesome 2 days in the Bay of Islands. Cori and I had a wonderful time - it really was the perfect way to kick off our travels.                                                   ---  Kris and Cori

Kris has devoted a page on their travel blog to their Freewind trip, with great photos and lovely prose, well worth reading:

http://www.krisandcori.com/post/21966572806/sailing-with-captain-ron

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made,

for somewhere deep in their oaken hearts the soul of a song is laid.

-Robert N. Rose