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.