S/Y SkalWhangarei, New Zealand

ToSydney, NSW, AustraliaNov. 2010 – Jan. 2011

Part 1 - Preparing for the Trip

Upgrades and Improvements

Custom made bowsprit with anchor roller Source: Riverside Boat Works

Stove and OvenSource: GasQuip

New running rigging: lines, blocks, deck organisers, rope clutches and travellerSource: Ronstan

Custom Chart Table

Upgrades and Improvements (continued)New standing riggingSource: Northland Spars and Rigging

Rub RailSource: George Marcotte

New RudderSource: G. Marcotte and Riverside Boat Works

MainsailSource: Lee Sails, Hong Kong

Upgrades and Improvements (continued)

6 Person Life Raft (used)Source: Northland Sea Systems

100 Litre Flexible Water TankSource: Plastimo

SPOT GPS TrackerSource: West Marine

Iridium 9555 Satellite Phone (rental)Source: David Berg

Upgrades and Improvements (continued)

15 Watt Solar PanelSource: Burnsco Marine

“Sue” The Windvane AutopilotSource: South Atlantic Autopilots

Other Things CrewTransport, Safety Gear

Navigation• Paper Charts

• Electronic Charts• GPS and backup unit

• Waypoints

Documentation Australian Maritime Authority

Provisioning

Safety

EPIRB• ACR EPIRB• SPOT

Cat 4 Flare Pack

Jack Lines

Life Vests

Ditch Bag• Medicine• Freshwater• Food• Flares• VHF Radio

Very Happy to be going in the water

Splash!

Part 2 - New Zealand to New CaledoniaDepart: Opua, Bay of Islands, New ZealandDate: 5 November 2010Arrive: Noumea, New CaledoniaDate: 14 November 2010Body of Water: North Tasman SeaTotal Distance: 931 Nautical MilesCrew: Kushila Stein

1 St Day Out, last view of New Zealand

Sunset at sea

The happy crew of S/Y Skal.

Very tight entrance into the lagoon.

½ mile

Arrival in New Caledonia

In quarantine having a beer

Flying the French courtesy flag and the Q flag

The big clean

My next crew was patiently waiting in Noumea ready for the next leg

Part 3 - New Caledonia to AustraliaDepart: Noumea, New CaledoniaDate: 17 November 2010Arrive: Noumea New CaledoniaDate: 24 November 2010Body of Water: Coral SeaTotal Distance: 816 Nautical MilesCrew: Ann Christian

Ann at the helm leaving Noumea Harbour

An island inside the reef

Last view of New Caledonia

The Calm before....

...the storm.

Sue performing well in heavy seas.

The storm sails.....never used before.

Ann on watch...taking it all in stride!

Waves getting bigger. Good job, Sue.

Safe and Sound in Bundaberg.

Part 4 – Bundaberg to SydneyLeg 1Depart: Bundaberg, QueenslandDate: 30 December 2010Arrive: Yamba, NSWDate: 6 January 2011Body of Water: Tasman SeaTotal Distance: 230 Nautical MilesCrew: Barbara Knight, Amanda Christian

Leg 2Depart: Yamba, NSADate: 27 January 2011Arrive: Sydney, NSWBody of Water: Tasman SeaTotal Distance: 351 Nautical MilesDate: 29 January 2011Crew: Amanda Knight

It took three days to get to Bundaberg because of flooding

Beached boats near Marina in Bundaberg. These were the lucky ones.

Doing 20+ knots down the Bundaberg river.

Barbara hanging on.

The Great Sandy Straights. Big mistake!

Fraser Island

Tweed Head on the Gold Coast. Barbara had enough and jumped ship here.

At the town pier in Ballina, NSW.

Arrival in Sydney.

The view from Skal’s new home.

2500 miles, and we made it! Thank you Skal.

And for next year.....Tasmania.