Welcome, 2013

www.sailbayofislands.com

2012 is gone, welcome 2013!

Looking back on 2012, she’s been a good year…

The year started on a busy note, as usual, with our Bay of Islands charters, the sails were up, dolphins were frolicking and the tourist kept us busy and happy until the end of April.

In May, Ron was off to Fiji, arriving in Savusavu and slipping into “Fiji Frame of Mind” without any effort. We had a crew reunion in Fiji in August, and by September, Freewind and Ron were back in Russell, waiting for the weather to warm up and catching up with boat maintenance.

As soon as the days became longer with the sun warmed up the land, the tourists arrived back in the Bay of Islands and we were reminded of how lucky we were to be able to enjoy God’s Own little bit of paradise every day of the year. The great thing about sailing in the Bay is that every trip is different: the wind dictates how we sail and where we drop anchor; the sun and the clouds paint the sky and the islands a different shade every day. We get excited every time we see the friendly dolphins, even though we have seen them hundreds of times, the encounter never fails to produce that special feeling of elation… 

But the best part, for us, is meeting all our wonderful guests and getting to know them, even if it’s only for the day and we know we probably won’t ever see them again. We’ve had people from every continent on earth  (even two young ladies who had wintered over in Antarctica and were on their way back to the US), from Alaska to South Africa, from Denmark to Thailand, and everywhere in between. And, of course, it’s always a pleasure to get to know our Kiwi guests who came from all over the country, from our very own Paihia, down to Invercargill in the far south, to experience the Bay of Islands.

And as we look forward to the coming year, we would like to wish Eleanor, who was our first mate on many of Freewind’s trips this season, best of luck as she embarks on a new career and her first year at university, and the same to Melanie, our relief first mate this season, on her last year at high school. To all the good people who supported us and joined us on our sailing trips – thank you for making our job so enjoyable, and we wish you and your loved ones and the rest of the world peace, health, and happiness throughout the coming year.

And to all the sailors of the world – fair winds and following seas, may the wind always help you get to safe shores.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Photo: Henrike Stockhausen                                      

Melanie (first mate) and Captain Ron celebrating New Year’s Eve 2012 on Freewind

 

As always, we chose to get away from the crowds ashore on New Year’s Eve and slipped away to what we thought would be a quiet anchorage. However, as midnight approached we realized that the other boats anchored around us were not going to let the new year in without a loud welcome… so we joined in with the celebrations and welcomed the new year in style – a  great start to 2013.

 

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

 

Quote of the day

The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.
- Joshua Slocum

Tall Ships Race – Jan 5, 2013

 www.sailbayofislands.com

 



The Bay of Islands Tall Ship and Classic boat Regatta will be held on Saturday, January 5th, 2013.

This annual event, sponsored by the Russell Boating Club, is one of the highlights of summer sailing in the Bay. Freewind will be sailing through the fleet of tall ships and classic yachts which come to the Bay of Islands every year to take part in this gathering. It is an unforgettable experience and a great photo opportunity.
	The Tucker Thompson at the Tall Ships race

On Saturday, January 5th, regatta boats and spectator boats of all ages, shapes and sizes will be sailing the Bay in a memorable collection of sail and colour. It is a light-hearted race, where classic boat owners and sailors young and old share their love of traditional sailing boats with the aim of having a good sail and lots of fun.

	If you want to join the spectator boat fleet on board Freewind, be sure to book early to secure your spot on our day sailing trip for January 5th. Bookings on our website, www.sailbayofislands.com . or call us on 0800 002244
The Soren Larsen at the Tall Ships race

At the end of the trip, there will be an opportunity to get off in Russell and join the celebration at the Russell Boating Club that is hosting the race and will be putting on a traditional earth-oven-cooked Hangi dinner for all.
See the Tall Ships Regatta and the Russell Boating Club featured on TV1’s Coasters with Al Brown here.

We leave at 10 am and return at 4 pm. Great sailing and lunch included.

Cost is $90 per person and a $10 deposit per person is required to confirm your booking.

See you there,
Ron and the Freewind crew

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

Sunny days in the Bay

www.sailbayofislands.com

As we approach the end of summer, we’ve managed to capture some lovely sunny days – perfect for relaxing on deck as Freewind sails among the peaceful islands of the Bay. The fishing has been very good over the last couple of charters, and of course, where there’s fish – there are dolphins, and we have been fortunate to experience their friendly frolicking as they fish for their dinner, or just play around our bow wave.

Relaxing on deck on board Freewind		Another magical day in the Bay of Islands

We are hoping for more good weather over the Easter Holidays, as we have quite a few trips planned for the next two weeks. There are still cabins available for these trips, so please contact us for trip dates and details.

Thank you again to all our guests for the wonderful feedback you have sent us:

Hi Ron,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip. It was very special to spend a night on board Freewind.
My parents loved every minute and it was the perfect way to end their long holiday in NZ.
Kristy

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Quote of the Day

There is nothing like lying flat on your back on the deck, alone except for the helmsman aft at the wheel, silence except for the lapping of the sea against the side of the ship. At that time you can be equal to Ulysses and brother to him.
- Errol Flynn