1705 SWEETLY TRAPPED ALONE IN MINERVE REPUBLIC

5 days later we are in Minerve, just before the return of the NE, and shortly before a huge depression: in fact some cyclone still wander in the south west pacific, but being in Minerve means perfect security with a good anchor even with the highest tide of the year: 

Happy to arrive in south Minerve shortly before NE wind

Only a few hundred meters of fetch and some waves especialy at high tide, bumpy,  but we are on a cat.

No problem for our kiwi 33kg ROCNA anchor

The 15yo winlass solenoïd choice to die, but we still have winches to anchor

Food compensation: Home made bread

Wild Wild Minerve,  unconfortable, but coralcountry n delicious seafood everyday

1705 ULTIMATE TEST FROM NEW ZEALAND TO MINERVE

Time to leave NZ as Opua is really too cold in the morning and a 2 dozens boats rallye is also ready to head north. David a young italian backpacker got the dream to sail; we decided to invite him ...he ll not be disappointed... 

Pure kiwi spirit: Tucker Thompson and his famous captain. He circumnavigated on this endemic wooden boat.

15mn before leaving Opua just after clearance

Byby New Zealand, still NE swell but wind shifted to SSW n increase 

SW Gale warning, official just insisted by VHF  to come back...too late, ALCYONE is already 20m offshore

David, the climber  begin to understand its not going to be a so easy, by sunset pilot could steer anymore n I had to do it 5 hours long...

Much better after midnight, but Helena still too seasick to leave the cabin

We got 1 day of rest but this is a race to be east enough before the return of NE wind

Original code O is up for his last day of life...during the night it unrolled and exploded: Tissu was like paper...

3 reefs, more than 30k apparent 

1704 SAIL N REFIT (part 3) BETWEEN 2 RAINBOWS 200 hours

Alcyone begin sail more in Haurakei gulf for sailing tests, partly with the strangest cruising  cat ever seen in 20 years "SQUID" own by a kiwi family we saw 15 years ago in Australia n skipped by Antony who will be 2017 NZ paddle board veteran champion; then we sailed to chilly Opua where our cat's final year investment was on both electrical system with new 165a BALMAR generators/regulators  and  modern IRIDIUM communication equipment.

1703 AUCKLAND'S REFIT (part 2) 400 hours

Alcyone ll anchored in front of Bays water marina n after Jim's university start, we continue the refit with almost daily dinghy roundtrip to Auckland technical zone on south shore:

Changing plexiglass of 2 main hatches, renovating n vernishing inside woodenparts, changing chainlocker hatch, renovating parts of poyolight floor, fixing new port toilet, cleaning and new painting of all port n starboard float bilges, replacing of 4 bilge pumps, change all indoor cabin lights for low consumption leds,  renovating white pvc back hulljoints,fixing 8kg pressurised aluminium gastank for sodatream system with custom fittings (kitchen),  fixing 220 system in 2 cabins, new microwave, ordering new PVC waterproof bimini top with shade sides , organising complete maintenance/sparepart/tool boxes  for 100% autonomy...

Buying: New 6 personne ultralight WAYPOINT safety raft, 2 new self grip LEWMAR handles, PROFURL furler spare parts, new 14mm 4 legs hoist with LEWMAR blocks (boom safety), 2  fast opening HARKEN blocks for Code O sheets, NAUTILUS waterproof bimini top with shading sides,  shore/offshore fishing gears, snorkling n spearfishing equipment, RED inflatable paddle board, complete  maintenance library  n west pacific guides...watching daily training of future America 's cup winners