OPUA CRUISING CLUB

The friendliest club in the South Pacific

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So far Lucie has created 81 blog entries.

BBQ in the Bay

Opua Cruising Club members and guests enjoyed a fantastic day out on Sunday for our monthly ‘BBQ in the Bay’, which this month was held at beautiful Motuarohia (Roberton) Island. The weather couldn’t have been better: clear blue skies, hot sunshine, and perfect conditions for getting out on the water.

Members arrived by boat, dropping anchor in the bay before coming ashore for a relaxed afternoon of great food and even better company. Everyone enjoyed a good laugh, soaked up the sunshine and explored the island.

It was a classic Bay of Islands day and a wonderful chance for our community to connect and unwind in one of the most picturesque spots in Aotearoa. A big thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make the event such a success. Remember, we hold these events monthly (see our website for details) and welcome anyone who would like to join us, so tell your friends!

2025-12-07T22:37:03+13:007 December 2025|Uncategorised|
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Commodore’s Party 6th December

Join us at the Opua Cruising Club for a festive night of great music, great company and plenty of Christmas cheer this Saturday, 6th December from 7pm.

We’re thrilled to have Vintage Vinyl from Mike Preece bringing the atmosphere — an original 70s DJ spinning 100% authentic vinyl from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Think Motown, disco, classic rock, soul and all the nostalgia-packed tracks that get everyone on the dancefloor.

If you love real records, warm vintage sound and a proper old-school party vibe, this is the night to be at Opua Cruising Club.

2025-12-07T22:43:14+13:002 December 2025|Uncategorised|
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Bay Cabs – December’s Sponsor of the Month

 

Opua Cruising Club are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our club’s Sponsor of the Month, Bay Cabs.

For the last 18 months, Bay Cabs has been a trusted transport provider in the Bay of Islands, built on a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and genuine local care. What began as a small, community-focused taxi service in the mid-2024 has grown into a well-respected operation supporting both the people who call this region home and the many who arrive by sea to experience its beauty.

Bay Cabs has always taken pride in looking after those who make Opua such a vibrant boating hub. Visiting yachts—whether on a coastal hop, a Pacific crossing, or a seasonal stopover—can rely on Bay Cabs for efficient crew transfers, provisioning runs, and stress-free transport into Paihia, Kerikeri, or wherever the next errand leads. Skippers often remark on the convenience: no waiting around, no complicated arrangements, just dependable service from drivers who understand the ebb and flow of marina life.

Locals know Bay Cabs for the same reasons. Friendly drivers, clean vehicles, and a focus on safety and punctuality make the service a natural choice for everyday travel, medical appointments, shopping trips, or a night out without the worry of driving home. The team’s commitment to customer care is simple: every passenger should feel welcome, comfortable, and looked after—whether they live here full-time or are just passing through.

As Opua continues to grow as a gateway to the Bay of Islands, Bay Cabs remains dedicated to keeping the community moving. Whether you need a quick pickup from the marina, reliable late-night transport, or local knowledge only a seasoned driver can provide, Bay Cabs is ready to help.

Bay Cabs
Ph: +64 21 283 8494
Em: info@baycabs.co.nz
baycabs.co.nz

2025-12-01T23:44:53+13:001 December 2025|General, News, Social|
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Commodores Report – November 2025

It’s great to see our racing fleet steadily growing, with several new boats joining in and bringing fantastic enthusiasm to the club. A big thank you to Andy and the Sailing Committee for their work streamlining the handicap system; the racing now runs more smoothly than ever.

This year we’ll be sharing the calendar with a new three-day regatta at Kawau Island, organised by Ponsonby Yacht Club, will overlap the final day of Bay Week. While this may influence numbers, it’s still too early to know the impact. Our Notices of Race have recently been released, and we’re looking forward to registrations building over the coming weeks.

Youth Sailing
Our relationship with the Bay of Islands Yacht Club, encouraging the older kids to come sail at Opua, is proving very successful. Last Friday, a group of young sailors and their parents enjoyed an evening aboard Vixen and they are all keen to get involved with our Pied Piper Youth Sailing Programme.

The Pied Piper is currently being painted at Waitangi in preparation for launching. Encouraging younger sailors and families has long been a priority for the club, and this initiative is shaping up to be a promising pathway forward.

Trans-Tasman Challenge Race
Momentum continues to grow with 21 entries already confirmed. We’ll soon be setting up a notice board in the club with entry updates and information to keep members and visitors informed and engaged.

The Galley Bistro
The Galley’s new menu is receiving great feedback; the new relaxed snack-style options alongside the top-end selection are going well. A new Race Night menu has also been introduced, providing simple, tasty choices for those enjoying or competing in Wednesday and Friday night racing.

Click here to see the new menu and if you haven’t tried it yet, come down and enjoy a delicious meal!

Club Promotion
Our new PR team has been doing an excellent job spreading the word about club events. We’ve seen some wonderfully busy evenings recently, no doubt thanks to increased visibility on social media.

We now have promotional rack cards ready for distribution across local accommodation providers and businesses. This should help to raise awareness of everything the club offers for both visitors and locals.

Terry Dunn – OCC Commodore

Terry grew up in Wellington, learning to sail in extreme conditions and spending his formative years in the Sea Scouts rowing around on pitch black nights playing Smugglers and sinking the enemy. He has never lost his love of just “playing around in boats”.

He moved to the Bay of Islands in his twenties and purchased the classic gaff cutter Aorere. It was also the start of many years cruising the Bay of Islands, the Northland coast and offshore voyages to the Pacific.

In 1990, he started Great Escape Yacht Charters and Sailing School to provide affordable sailing options in the Bay. Over the years, he operated a fleet of 14 yachts, passing on his enthusiasm and love of sailing to Kiwis and international visitors alike.

Now retired, Terry is currently a relief skipper with the R Tucker Thompson, and we are delighted to have him as the Club’s Commodore this year.

2025-11-25T05:21:48+13:0025 November 2025|General|
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Lightning

Marine forecasts give a situation statement that lists the location and movement of features seen on weather maps… Highs, Lows, Convergence zones and fronts. They give warnings of areas with gales or stronger, heavy swells, and freezing conditions.

But they don’t mention or give warnings about lightning.

If you have access to the Internet and websites, then windy.com and Predictwind.com do include lightning maps.

The Predictwind map combines lightning and satellite imagery with the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) warning and situation maps.

From forecast.predictwind.com/satellite-imagery

Bob McDavitt

MetBob. Bob McDavitt is the weather guru that uses //etBoB to provide meteorological information for cruising sailors, primarily for those in the South Pacific.

Turn lightning on in the map options

Windy.com offers several global models and displays wind, isobars, rain and lightning on the same map along with observations.

For people visiting the cruising grounds of New Zealand Weatherwatch has compiled a special page for lightning weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/lightning/thunderstorm-risk

This can be a useful place to check before sailing.

2025-11-14T00:53:51+13:0014 November 2025|Weather|
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Total Yacht Care – November’s Sponsor of the Month

Opua Cruising Club are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our club’s Sponsor of the Month, Total Yacht Care.

Established in 2012 by seasoned skipper Mike Levings, Total Yacht Care has become one of the Bay of Islands’ most trusted names in vessel maintenance. Based in Opua, the team includes a qualified boatbuilder and provides painting, polishing, cleaning, detailing, and caretaking services. Their work is backed by years of on-the-water experience and a practical understanding of what boats need to stay in top condition and ready to go when owners return.

Their mobile service allows them to reach boats throughout the Bay, whether in the main marina or anchored in quieter spots, making them a reliable choice for OPA Cruising Club members. Mike is also known for offering practical, honest advice that many boat owners have come to rely on when it comes to maintenance decisions and long-term care.

“Mike and his team treat our boat as if it were their own. Their attention to detail and care mean we can relax knowing everything’s been done right”,
says long-time client Helen R.

Total Yacht Care has built its reputation through repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals. Many customers have been with them for years, returning for the same attention to detail and clear communication that defines every project.

As our Sponsor of the Month, Mike and his team continue to support the local boating community and uphold the high standards that make the Bay of Islands such a great place to cruise.

Total Yacht Care
Ph: +64 21 217 6064
Em: enquiries@yachtcare.co.nz
www.yachtcare.co.nz

2025-11-05T22:12:14+13:002 November 2025|General, News, Social|
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The Biggest Race Ever – and It’s Coming to Opua!

With just days to go before entries close, we’re excited to share some incredible news — the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge will feature a record-breaking fleet of EIGHTEEN skippers!

This makes the upcoming event the largest in the race’s proud history, surpassing the previous record of seventeen boats set way back in 1986. Nearly forty years ago, Bullfrog Sunblock skippered by Ian Johnston took line honours in six days and eight hours, while Alby Burgin’s Alstar claimed the fastest monohull in eight days and eleven hours.

Now, the challenge continues with a new course, new faces, and a new record waiting to be written — and Opua will be at the heart of it all. With sixteen monohulls and two multihulls on the start line, the 2026 fleet promises close racing, diverse designs, and plenty of stories to unfold.

This is a major event for Opua Cruising Club and our local community, bringing international attention and visiting sailors from across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. It’s a chance for us all to celebrate ocean racing, showcase our beautiful Bay of Islands, and get involved in something truly special.

Richard Grant fresh from the two-handed Melbourne Osaka race one of the Australians who has entered for his next short handed sailing challenge.

Richard Grant fresh from the two-handed Melbourne Osaka race one of the Australians who has entered for his next short handed sailing challenge.

Race Entrants (as of 21 October 2025):

With several Opua Cruising Club members among the entrants, this truly is our race — a chance to cheer on our sailors and show off the warmth and hospitality that make Opua special.

Get involved

The 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge will bring a full week of celebrations, visiting yachts, and events to the Bay of Islands. There will be lots of opportunities to get involved — from helping with race operations to volunteering during the race village week.

If you’d like to be part of this historic event, get in touch with the Race Management Team to find out how you can help.

And there could still be more to come.  Entries close 25 October 2025, with late entries accepted until the end of March 2026.

Let’s make this one to remember — Opua, the home of the biggest Solo Trans-Tasman fleet ever!

Keep up with the race news on the event website – www.solo-tasman.co.nz
Contact race management race@transtasmanchallenge.org

2025-11-02T22:47:23+13:0023 October 2025|General, News, Social|
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Pomare Bouy

 

At last, we have Pomare buoy back in the water. Many thanks to Gary Ardern for much help and supply of chain and shackles.  We also moved Oyster buoy a bit closer to where it originally was before Kantime took it on a little cruise. At half tide both are in 4.5mtrs of water so anything above that will be ok for A Division.

Happy Sailing!

Pomare Bouy
2025-11-02T22:47:30+13:0022 October 2025|General, News, Social|
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