Departed Napier
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 3 Dec 2020 23:58
Course: South Speed 4 knots
Wind: SE F3 Sea: slight Swell: NE 1m
Weather: overcast, mild
Day’s run: 27 nm
We have had an enjoyable stay in Napier, relaxing as well as getting a few chores done, but, with one eye always on the weather forecast, we decided it was time to move on. This leg is going to be particularly challenging as we are aiming to get past Cook Strait and make for Lyttleton. Cook Strait has a terrible reputation and we have heard numerous horror stories from a number of local sailors about their encounters with it. We are hoping that we will not have a horror story of our own to add to New Zealand’s nautical folklore after this foray, but, on the other hand, we did not want to be sitting in harbour indefinitely waiting for ideal conditions, which probably do not exist in this part of the world. Certainly, the forecast is far from perfect and I expect that we will have to deal with some strong winds, but, hopefully, nothing that Sylph and her crew cannot handle.
All is well.