24/02/2025
23.12.24 - 31.12.24, headed out from the Mount north in convoy with the Bondi Tram, first stop for 2 nights was Hahei Beach, caught up with some old friends and some new. Xmas day both yachts pushed on up to Mercury Islands, another 2 nights here in the cove. A little windy and LF likes a breeze to sail in and at about 2am took itself for a cruise out of the bay. Can’t say I was too happy and got up to put her back to bed. On the 27th we again both pushed on to Port Charles, where there was steady 40kn + breeze. LF didn’t want a bar of staying in that bay and so at 2130 hrs The Bondi Tram Longfellow flotilla was disbanded leaving the tram at Port Charles Longfellow pushed out into the darkness and 50kn breeze 😳 rounding the Cape Coalville and tucking into Port Jackson for the night under the shelter of the hill on the western side of the bay. 29th set sail in still heavy winds with an course toward Kawau Island. Not without troubles, damaged the jib a temporary work around was devised but later the issue would compound. Arriving at Kawau the jib that could not be furled from earlier damage would now not drop on the halyard. Single handed and in a bind Longfellow did multiple 360 degree circles to wrap the jib around the forestay, problem solved for now.
After a spicy sail a clam relaxed night at Kawau was well welcomed. With a little help from a fellow sailor Paul, thank Paul, I was able to shoot up the mast and drop the jib on the deck.
29 December LF sailed to Auckland and spent the next few weeks charging around the gulf. If two boat are going in the same direction it’s a race, there was plenty of racing whether the other boats knew it or not! Even if they were going in the opposite direction they were fair game, a quick 180 deg turn and power up, but man those Explore Americas cup boats can haul 🍑!
This post ends with the skip of The Bondi Tram, Spenny making his way by road to and ferry to Waiheke to hang out for New Years 🎉🍾