Spindrift's October cruise starts tomorrow

Board tomorrow and depart the Ngunguru Estuary on Monday near the top of the tide. Head for Tutukaka to clean the bottom then motor down to Whangārei Harbour for the Whangārei Maritime Festival on 14th & 15th October.

More cruising / fishing with friends then returning to Ngunguru about the end of the first week in November.

Spindrift ( Rehutai) of Ngunguru

Our lovely Spindrift is possibly the most photographed vessel on the river estuary in recent times. These photos are all taken by others.

Thank you photographers for taking an interest.

May it's little anchor light shine on you.

Whangarei Cruise - July 2022

 We had a two week cruise in the Whangarei Harbour. Not all wet. We had some nice days. We have never cruised the Harbour before. We will be back. Much more to do yet.

Motukiore Sandspit -  Its a real good birding spot.

Motukiore Sandspit anemonies

Motukiore - A Pā site

Spindrift on the Whangarei Town Basin Dock

R Tucker Thompson

We spent a lovely calm night at the Maro Tere Islands

Hilton at the helm

Heading to the Maro Tere

Whangarei boat houses

View from Motukiore

R Tucker Thompson in the Whangarei town basin

Spindrift anchored near Matakohe

Remains of the Tiri - It used to be the Radio Hauraki Pirate ship. Radio licensing changed and she became redundant.

Oystercatcher on Matakohe

Melva & Kelley on Matakohe

R Tucker Thompson

First Cruise

 The first Spindrift cruise was a short one. One week to Whangaruru and back to Ngunguru. It all went like a dream and the weather was perfect. 

Spindrift at Mimiwhangata

Tuparehui Dawn

Spindrift at Koakora

Spindrift at Koakora

Pre dawn at the Poor Knights - Headed home

Dawn at the Poor Knights - Headed home

Dawn at the Poor Knights - Headed home

Spindrift / Rehutai is Home in the Ngunguru Estuary

 Five and a half years from start of the build to our home mooring in the Estuary.

Spindrift On The Water

 The mast is up at last. 

Spindrift (Rehutai) is on a mooring in Oturu Bay, Tutukaka.

Spindrift On The Grid

 Here we are on the grid at Tutukaka to place set screws into the aft cutless bearing to stop it turning in the shaft log. Job easily done in one tide.

Still have to install the remaining 239Kg of lead ballast bars that I have cast and raise the mast then fill the tanks and go for a motor. 

Looking forward to a cruise.

Spindrift on The Water

 At last we have a photo of Spindrift on the water.

There is a bit more ballast to come yet and a prop shaft issue to sort then away cruising.

Casting Ballast Bars

 I have started casting triangle ballast bars. Each about 20Kg. Using a three ring LPG gas burner for heat. Works well under Geoff's crucible. All very easily managed.

Here is a vidio of a pour