Bill and Maggie

Bill and Sue transit the Havelock Channel

Five cod

Maggie

NW weather on the Friday gave way to SE on the Sunday. Beautiful evenings in Ketu and Kenepuru. Caught three cod on our old marks down by Bird Island and two more on the sand between the two parts of Richmond Reef.  Steamed a total of 77 nm.

Tappets

 

Mike

Mike, from Havelock Slipway, checking the tappet clearances. Only one was a bit tight, and another a bit slack, otherwise no adjustments needed. 

Firing order

I've now painted the firing order on the ER forward bulkhead, in case someone in the future hasn't got the manual. By the way, it's 1 5 6 2 8 4 7 3.

Christmas 2025

 

Barnacle Bill and Pete

A pleasant Christmas spent at Ferndale sheltering from a NW gale. So wet and windy this year, and no let up. Barnacle Bill Stevenson and Pete turned up in Stella Miro and spent the day in company with us. Nina made five for Christmas lunch in the Regency Room on Orion. Sorry Maggie, six. We were back in Picton for New Year and in bed early, so no Barcelona pumping out over the speakers this year.

Haul out 2025

Removing the propellor for balancing

Two new props on the thruster

Anchor cable

The long awaited 80 metres of new 13mm anchor cable arrives from Michael Hill, Southshore Marine. Somewhat exciting. Michael's connection with Johnson's Barge meant we enjoyed some assistance from the skipper of the Manatu and his hydraulic arm.

 

Alongside Johnson's Barge

Old cable comes out

New cable lifted onto the barge

Voyage with Jack

Orion steaming along in Pelorus Sound 2025

A special trip with Jack on board, visiting from the UK. Nina joined too. Seven days on board, five of them out and about in Pelorus Sound. Mixed weather. 96nm.

Only mild exaggeration

Severe gale warning in Cook

Tranquil at Raetihi

Bill and Maggie

Bill came to visit and brought Maggie

Who is very playful.

 

New Year 24/25

Outrageous behaviour flared briefly, but had subsided well before midnight. Just on H8 this year. Notable for how quiet it was. Beautiful snapper for tea.

Christmas 2024

 

H8 the day before we sailed. What was nice this year was the way the dates fell, we had a gentle lead in. Recommended.

Ventilation

1 of 2 x 4-inch holes 

The lazarette has always been damp. In spring and autumn stuff gets soaking wet. It's what caused the hydraulic connectors on the steering machinery to rust. We have finally got around to doing something about it. The work started with the first of two 4-inch holes in the deck. The deck is 55mm thick. The 60-year old matai (matai - black pine) is very hard.

The new aft vents

Two Dorade boxes were nicely made by Sounds Marine at Waikawa Marina. The ventilator hoods are by Vetus and are made of slightly flexible rubbery plastic. We're pleased with the result all round. They look like they belong. Already the lazarette has dried out heaps.