We're out!

[John B]

Nice little trip down the harbour by myself after the usual sleepless night. We've had an extended period of good weather and you know what that means. An onshore wind 25 knots and rain came the day before . Somehow the second change came just for me.. it switched to the south dropped to 5 or 10 long enough for our haul and then breezed back up to a windwarning.
I thought you might be interested on how we haul. Every year but 2 for the last 18 or 19 anyway.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/p5b2afe6a711f3ce0ff1006451ed3be22/fd478f3d.jpg
They've changed the method a bit . its a cradle on a trailer run into the water and hauled by a tractor. The rules say 2 people on board and usually I run a bow line and sternline. ease her into the cradle, cast off the stern line and out we come. Nope. not this year. No Kirsty... she's at work. I arranged to be met down there but they wanted to haul me early and I get there early so... forget the lines John, forget your mate John.. just run her in , grab our bowlines and out we go.
That easy,... best haul I've ever experienced. Ferpect. Got there 9.30, out by 9.45 after a quick conversation on the ramp.No wakes, cradle position to keel bang on.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/p91ba29b20b1068088d1163c67bd37940/fd478f39.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/p1e7dd7bc3a5be00f8c349037488b5ce6/fd478f32.jpg
Voila.!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/pfa1cc559fdb56126e9942f38ec72c696/fd478f31.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/pf4944f165a555cf53d2a985a673189a0/fd478f2f.jpg

Now the fun starts

[Thad]

You know John that the wind shift is all in honor of WAIONE. She deserves it. You too.

[Tom Galyen]

Beautiful boat John, congrats on a fast and faultless haul out. I haven't got my boat in the H2O this year, but was over at her storage today adjusting the bunker boards on her trailer. There is still some hope as normally good sailing weather continues in this area until late October or early November.

Thanks for the Photos,

Tom G.

[John B]

My arms are like steel beams.
They won't bend.
But she's sanded top to bottom.

[Zane Lewis]

Well if you are still there on Saturday I will have to have a walk past and have a look. The N22 I race on launches from there for the spring regatta.

We have been asked about the Classic Boat Associations 4 day regatta in February next year and are trying to decide weither to go to the Marhurangi or the CBA. Dad thinks sailing over from Whitianga for 4 days beats coming over for 1 day.
Do you have any idea as to what sort of events are planned for "Traditional Spirit" type cruising boats.

Zane

[igatenby]

Nice photos - good to see Rangitoto in the last shot. We lived in Auckland (at Mellons Bay) in 83 and 84 - brought back a Kiwi daughter as a memento.

Ian

[John B]

Back in! less than a month! still the deck and varnish to do tho.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid35/p60be07c4493190488796f9ce552f09a0/fd2f6385.jpg

[Dave Hadfield]

Look at the height of that mast.... and such sweet lines.

It's worth varnishing a boat like that.

[Donn]

Great pics...especially the last one of the haul.