Category Archives: All Cruising Logs

Five Common Cruising Mistakes

The biggest problem for many of us when we start out cruising is that we are “unconsciously incompetent.” That is, we don’t know what we don’t know. We then must learn by making mistakes, watching other’s mistakes or through reading … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, FAQ's, Technical Information | Comments Off on Five Common Cruising Mistakes

Passage Logs: The Auckland to Noumea Race

June 5, 2004 Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour was a bustle of activity yesterday morning. Fourteen of the yachts berthed there (including Moonshadow), ranging in size from 36 feet to 100 feet, were making final preparations for the 1000-mile race to … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, New Zealand Logs, Racing Logs, South Pacific Logs | Comments Off on Passage Logs: The Auckland to Noumea Race

Leaving the Boat

While I have greatly enjoyed (well, most of the time anyway) living on Moonshadow for the majority of the last ten years, there are times when one needs to get off for various reasons and become an earthling. I’ve been … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, FAQ's, Technical Information | Comments Off on Leaving the Boat

Christmas in New Zealand

Christmas in New Zealand is more social than commercial, just the way I like it. One would have to look pretty hard to find a Christmas tree lot around here, as the Christmas tree of choice down here is … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, New Zealand Logs, South Pacific Logs | Comments Off on Christmas in New Zealand

How to Reason With Hurricane Season

I’m pleased to report that I have no first-hand experience with hurricane-force winds in my cruising experiences on Moonshadow. While I’ve ridden out two hurricanes, one on a 40,000 ton ship and the other in a hotel room, that was … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, FAQ's, Technical Information | Comments Off on How to Reason With Hurricane Season

Mail Forwarding

Email has most certainly improved cruiser’s ability to communicate and reduced the amount of paper chasing them around the world, but most of us still need and have some sort of system for forwarding “snail mail.” I had all my … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, FAQ's | Comments Off on Mail Forwarding

Romance and the Cruising Lifestyle or “Sex and the Sea”

As a single man, this is probably a subject about which I could write and entire book, having spent nearly ten years cruising around the world both single-handed and with various cruising partners. To protect the innocent, I will refrain … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, FAQ's | Comments Off on Romance and the Cruising Lifestyle or “Sex and the Sea”

Great Barrier Island: Holidays at “The Barrier”

  Twin Island Bay, Port Fitzroy The favored overseas holiday destination of many Auckland “boaties” is Great Barrier Island. Just 50 miles by water from Auckland City, “The Barrier” is a different world from mainland New Zealand, and you … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, New Zealand Logs, South Pacific Logs | Comments Off on Great Barrier Island: Holidays at “The Barrier”

Mast Boot and Chain Plate Deck Penetrations

I think that all of us who live aboard and cruise strive to keep our living quarters and belongings dry. But no matter how hard we endeavour to seal out the elements, the odd drop or two seems to make … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, FAQ's, Technical Information | Comments Off on Mast Boot and Chain Plate Deck Penetrations

The Coastal Classic: Auckland to Russell

November 08, 2002 The Coastal Classic     The start of the race in Auckland. 2000-odd sailors, 228 yachts, 120 miles of New Zealand coastline, a 3-day weekend and one big party. This is the annual NZ Multihull Yacht … Continue reading

Posted in All Cruising Logs, New Zealand Logs, Racing Logs, South Pacific Logs | Comments Off on The Coastal Classic: Auckland to Russell