Kiaora from New Zealand

[NevP]

That's a Maori howdy for those of you in more northern latitudes.

I'm not what you would call an active cruiser (yet) but we're all allowed our dreams and this looks like a great place to be inspired.

I'm currently getting back in touch with things nautical after learning to sail as a teenager on my father's Harmonic 24 in the late 80s. Last year I spent 4 weeks based on a converted fishing boat surveying on the islands around Milne Bay province, Papua New Guinea. That was enough to give me the bug again so when I got home I started checking out how to get back on the water.

I now have a crew place on a Farr 1020, mainly round-the-buoys on weekends. Racing isn't my 1st passion but it's a good excuse to be out there sailing and it's usually a blast. Have also been trying to get a little cruising time where I can, which doesn't seem to be quite as simple when I don't have my own boat. So far I've managed an RYA course around the Andaman Sea (Thailand), joined my current skipper in the Marlborough Sounds (NZ) for a week after New Year and am thinking heading back with my partner & a couple of friends in March to try a short charter.

Just taking things as they come at this stage but keen to have a crack at some longer passages and hopefully my own boat in the future.

That's me in a nutshell. See ya all in the forums soon.

Nev

[Pacific Jewel]

Hi Nev, welcome to the forum. I'm in NZ too, in Auckland. Looking forward to catching up with you on the forum! Cheers.

[paradix]

Kia ora Nev

Now the schoolies are gone, if you're thinking about a charter as a way of trying some cruising, then you could do worse than grabbing some cheap flights to QLD and doing a week in the Whitsundays. Charter heaven, especially for newbie skippers, and a bit more exotic than the Marlborough Wind Tunnels...

Nga mihi nui

[NevP]

Cheers paradix. The Whitsundays had definitely crossed my mind. Especially the way the weather has been in Wellington this year so far. Somewhere a little warmer sounds appealing.

[scook1]

Welcome to the forum,
We are certainly allowed our dreams. And good luck around the buoys as well!
Spencer

[swagman]

G'Day Nev,
Good to see a fellow ANZAC on the site and your 1020 is a great boat. We won the 1990 Freo Bali Race on one - downhill virtualy 24/7 - and she smoked.
Anyway as long as you do not mention rugby you'll be alright here.
Enjoy - and sail safe
JOHN

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Hope you enjoy the forum.
Kind regards,