I have sailed off and on over 40 years, starting in sailing dinghies progressing to trailer yachts and keelers. I am a cautious and responsible skipper and prefer to sail my yachts to their maximum efficiency in any conditions. I respect the sea and treasure the marine environment.
I am quite happy to meet applicants at the yacht so that you can check us out before committing yourself to any sailing.

This is a blog entry from a recent crew member translated from German

Even though I told Bruce that I had no sailing experience, he entrusted me with the steering from the first moment. It is only when we are out of the marina and hoist the sail that I realize that sailing is where the boats are almost across the water. With a mixture of a thirst for adventure and excited, slightly fearful tingling in the bust, I turn the yacht sideways to the wind. And there it is - that sound that sails make when they catch wind. I somehow missed it, although there has never been a sail before, this sound is so deeply rooted in me. I have been hearing it over and over in my head since then, like an earwig. This sound becomes my new favorite song. This sound symbolizes freedom more than anything else.
With all my strength I put my feet against the footrest and pull the tiller towards starboard. 15 knots of wind speed make the yacht fly over the water. I already know that I have found something in sailing that will not let me go so quickly.
Zero emissions travel, in perfect unity with the elements; the daily routine, the next destination and plans are determined by nature. It is not worth thinking about the future if it is not there yet. The wind can literally turn and all previously made plans become obsolete. Sailing is life in perfection at the moment.
Nothing could have gotten me out of my stressful day-to-day work better than sailing. Sailing is like camping with much less and at the same time so much more options.

comfortablevery safeshare experience

The yacht is a 7.5m trailer yacht kept on a marina berth at Halfmoon Bay Marina in Auckland. This means that yacht can be used to explore estuaries and bays were a deep keel yachts cannot go. This yacht is only suitable for coastal cruising.
The total crew can vary from 1 to 2 members.
This opportunity is best suited to those that wish to explore the Hauraki Gulf, either crew new to sailing or experienced sailors. I am always keen to teach new sailors or learn from other people's experience.

I mainly use the yacht to explore the islands within the gulf. Activities can include, sailing, hiking, explore beaches, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, snorkeling, eating in restaurants, visiting wineries to name a few.

The Hauraki Gulf, stretching between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula, is dotted with motu (islands) and gives the Bay of Islands stiff competition in the beauty stakes. Some islands are only minutes from the city and make excellent day trips. Wine-soaked Waiheke and volcanic Rangitoto really shouldn’t be missed. Great Barrier requires more effort to get to, but provides an idyllic escape from modern life.

There are more than 50 islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, many of which are administered by DOC. Some are good-sized islands, others are no more than rocks jutting out of the sea. They’re loosely put into two categories: recreation and conservation. The recreation islands can easily be visited and their harbours are dotted with yachts in summer. The conservation islands, however, have restricted access. Permits are required to visit some, while others are closed refuges for the preservation of rare plants and animals, especially birds.

The gulf is a busy highway for marine mammals. Sei, minke and Bryde’s whales are regularly seen in its outer reaches, along with orcas and bottlenose dolphins. You might even spy a passing humpback.

clean & tidycommitteddiligenteasy-goingenthusiasticfit & healthyfriendlyorganisedrespectfultrustworthyrarely/unlikely seasickgood listenergood communicatortravel light (little luggage)eager to learn & workpolitepositive outlookopen mindedsense of humorcan follow orders