Hauling out or slip options for 2015 South Pacific Cyclone season

[hammerhuman]

Captain David Lawn, of S/V Catamaran Sea Angel a 42' Lagoon. (beam is 22.5', draft 4.5' and weight is 12,000 gross)

The captain, crew and vessel are currently in Tonga doing medical missions/humanitarian work with the Sea Mercy organization. The last rotation of medical staff will come off October 30th at which point we will need to move/store the boat for the upcoming cyclone season.

Does anyone have any ideas? Information?

We may sail her South to New Zealand or find a place to store her on the hard in Tonga, Fiji, or American Samoa.

the price we have in VAvau in Tonga is $750USD per month. As this is missionary/humanitarian work, we are trying to keep costs as low as possible.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerly,

Mike Bartz
Sea Angel crew


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Palarran]

You can try these options
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ia-115780.html

[haiqu]

Vanuatu is the safest option in the area. Despite the island being hammered by a hurricane my friend's 42' monohull was undamaged this year. He tells me it's one of the few places in the Pacific that insurance companies will approve.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Mike.

[doug cusick]

fiji is absolutely packed with boats for this season. hauling a cat here is very difficult due to small travelift sizes. cranes have been used at vuda with some success. but check first to avoid "cyclone stress" on arrival

[GrahamHO]

Originally Posted by hammerhuman

Captain David Lawn, of S/V Catamaran Sea Angel a 42' Lagoon. (beam is 22.5', draft 4.5' and weight is 12,000 gross)

The captain, crew and vessel are currently in Tonga doing medical missions/humanitarian work with the Sea Mercy organization. The last rotation of medical staff will come off October 30th at which point we will need to move/store the boat for the upcoming cyclone season.

Does anyone have any ideas? Information?

We may sail her South to New Zealand or find a place to store her on the hard in Tonga, Fiji, or American Samoa.

the price we have in VAvau in Tonga is $750USD per month. As this is missionary/humanitarian work, we are trying to keep costs as low as possible.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerly,

Mike Bartz
Sea Angel crew


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

In the 1980s I flew into Vavau as a passenger with the NZ Airforce the day after a cyclone struck. Charter yachts were sticking out of the trees. I've also been to Western Samoa and Niue a day or so after other cyclones. The damage can be incredible. A trimaran on the hard would likely flip over. However as you know Cyclones are more likely to miss than hit a particular island. Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Vanuatu have all been hit by cyclones. Bob McDavitt is an ex NZ Met Service forecaster now specialising in forecasts for yachting people especially in the NZ / South Pacific Ocean region. You'll find him with Google and he could give you the best information of possible weather trends. He is of course also in communication with his boating clients. Ask him what he thinks.

[Olorin]

I received a quote of approximately $700 NZD per month from a yard in Whangarei NZ.
No cyclones there and a ten day sail from Tonga.

[hammerhuman]

Thank you all, this is good information...does anyone know of a good Anchorage in northern New Zealand for a boat this size?

-Mike

[Kerry1]

Originally Posted by hammerhuman

Captain David Lawn, of S/V Catamaran Sea Angel a 42' Lagoon. (beam is 22.5', draft 4.5' and weight is 12,000 gross)

The captain, crew and vessel are currently in Tonga doing medical missions/humanitarian work with the Sea Mercy organization. The last rotation of medical staff will come off October 30th at which point we will need to move/store the boat for the upcoming cyclone season.

Does anyone have any ideas? Information?

We may sail her South to New Zealand or find a place to store her on the hard in Tonga, Fiji, or American Samoa.

the price we have in VAvau in Tonga is $750USD per month. As this is missionary/humanitarian work, we are trying to keep costs as low as possible.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerly,

Mike Bartz
Sea Angel crew


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Hi Mike, I am not much help but a friend I know skippers a SV Seahawk which he uses to do missionary/charity work around Fiji and Vanuatu and what's in between. Roger Bolam is his name and if you PM me I will give you his email. He likely as will know both scenarios as the yacht is based in Opua NZ but has been domiciled in Savusavu Fiji as well.
Cheers
Kerry

[Kerry1]

Originally Posted by hammerhuman

Thank you all, this is good information...does anyone know of a good Anchorage in northern New Zealand for a boat this size?

-Mike

Lots of good anchorages in The Bay of Islands, but for longer term- Opua I think would be good, probably lease a swing mooring off Far North Holdings which is a council owned business for longer period, or privately.

TradeMe Swing Moorings Northland

[hammerhuman]

Originally Posted by Kerry1

Hi Mike, I am not much help but a friend I know skippers a SV Seahawk which he uses to do missionary/charity work around Fiji and Vanuatu and what's in between. Roger Bolam is his name and if you PM me I will give you his email. He likely as will know both scenarios as the yacht is based in Opua NZ but has been domiciled in Savusavu Fiji as well.
Cheers
Kerry

I think you have good ideas, it sounds like Roger Bolam is the guy it talk to. I'm new here and I'm not sure how to PM you for his info?
Thank you, Mike

[JPA Cate]

There are some extremely protected anchorages at Great Barrier Island. May not be what you want.

You might also check the Tauranga area. Auckland is pretty crowdy.

Do check with the vessel's insurer, if any, if you're tempted to stay north.

Ann

[GrahamHO]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

There are some extremely protected anchorages at Great Barrier Island. May not be what you want.

You might also check the Tauranga area. Auckland is pretty crowdy.

Do check with the vessel's insurer, if any, if you're tempted to stay north.

Ann

Port Fitzroy at Great Barrier might appear sheltered. I've been anchored there in
NE storms which are likely over NZ summer. Very strong wind gusts come down from Mt Hobson on an angle to horizontal even though you think you are sheltered. Some of the holding is not very good and there can be a risk from other boats dragging into you even if you are holding. A better option in the general area is Bon Accord Harbour Kawau Island up under the power line where the holding is very good and the depth from memory 5 or 6 metres. I wouldn't leave a vessel anchored in either place for long without 1 or 2 crew on hand.

The best hard stand rates I've found around Auckland are at West Harbour Marina which is at the western end of Auckland Waitemata Harbour. The guy who runs the chandlery shop in the marina is very reliable and offers a service of looking after unattended vessels. A multihull on the hard or moored there should be very safe in any weather. The final approach is shallow which should be no problem. I make it OK with 7' draft depending on the tide. I forget the chandlery owners name. I'm in San Francisco at the moment or I would phone him. There is a regular weekday ferry service between there and Auckland CBD taking 30 minutes.

[GrahamHO]

Re my post. The correct name for the marina is West Park Marina which is situated at West Harbour Auckland.

[GrahamHO]

Just remembered the West Park Marina chandlery owners name is Craig...I think...jet lag.