RNI2023. TIMELINE.

 

LEAVING PARTY + MEET & GREET – Thursday 23rd February

  • RNZYS Quarterdeck. 1800 – 2200.
  • $25 per person Build Your Own Burger and Chips from 1900 (pay on the evening)
  • Formalities 1930
  • This function is COMPULSORY for all Skippers.
  • Family, shore crew, supporters and friends are welcome to attend this function.
  • RNZYS Dinghy Locker. 1000.
  • All skippers are REQUIRED to wear their SSANZ RNI2023 supplied shirts. Photos of all skippers will be taken. Photos can be taken from 0930
  • Coffee and Tea provided.
  • The Briefing is COMPULSORY for all Skippers

 

SAFETY INSPECTIONS

  • The Race Director will provide separate advice to all competitors regarding the timing and location of these.

 

THE START – Saturday 25th February

  • 1000 Hours
  • Devonport Wharf
  • Great viewing from North Head for family, friends and shore crew.

 

STOPOVER 1: MANGONUI

An opening first leg of 154 miles, or about 4 hours drive for your shore crew.

  • All boats will be at anchor in Mangonui Harbour. You need to ensure your anchor can handle your boat in a blow and be ready to anchor on arrival.
  • We will have the PREDICT WIND RIB as a water taxi, you will be able to call up on VHF or to the SSANZ designated number to request a ride ashore. There may be short delays in this depending on what the Predict Wind Rib is being used for
  • Ashore the Mangonui Cruising Club (MCC) are amazing hosts!
  • A small superette is available in town, approx. 15 minute walk from the club.
  • The nearest fuel – is a service station located 20 minutes walk or 5 minutes drive from the club. There is no on- the-water fuel services at Mangonui.
  • It is not easy to top up boats water tanks at Mangonui – all competitors should plan for this.
  • MCC Catering Plan (subject to weather and speed considerations)
    • Sunday – ALL DAY breakfast
    • Sunday Evening – Buffet Dinner and Prize Giving – timing TBC. This is normally a great social evening.
    • Monday Morning – Breakfast and Briefing

 

STOPOVER 2: WAIKAWA

A delightful sail down the west coast taking in 475nm of beautiful coastline and (hopefully) a northerly breeze to finish at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound

  • The finish is in the outer Queen Charlotte Sound. Once across the finish line you will need to then sail or motor to the Waikawa Marina, roughly 18nm from the finish line. This area tends to shut down overnight with very little breeze at this time of year. All boats must have enough fuel to motor to the marina.
  • The Marlborough Sounds Marina intend to host all boats on one pier that is due to open around when we arrive. This pier is on the western side of the marina and has excellent depth. Boats will need fenders and mooring lines.
  • Everyone will be greeted on the dock and help will be provided to tie up.
  • Waikawa Boating Club (WBC) will provide all skippers a swipe tag to access the clubhouse 24:7 for showers and to use the laundry.
  • WBC will open on Friday and Saturday for Breakfast offering both cooked and continental options and Thursday to Sunday for Dinner. This will be the SSANZ base for the duration of the stopover. WBC have a plentiful stock of rum, and a great bunch of locals who are looking forward to hosting us.
  • We have a great social activity planned for this stopover. Tickets will be $90 each to cover the ferry charter costs etc. All guests will transfer by boat, together, to the beautiful MacAlister Cove, for an afternoon on the beach, with the BBQ firing and some of the finest local beers and wines on the beach for everyone to enjoy before a return transfer back to the Waikawa Boating Club. This activity is planned for Saturday 4th March. Numbers are strictly limited.
  • For your shore crew – if they are flying Air New Zealand to Blenheim – they will either need a hire car or a pre booked shuttle to Waikawa Marina (taxis can be hard to come by). This is approx. 30 minute drive. If they are arriving via Sounds Air to Koromiko – they offer a shuttle service to Waikawa Marina to all guests travelling with them – please discuss this with Sounds Air.
  • The Picton township is approx. 7-minute drive or 40 minute walk from the Waikawa Marina. The Picton township has a great local supermarket and a number of cafés. The supermarket (Fresh Choice) will do deliveries by arrangement to the Waikawa Boating Club – please phone them to make these arrangements. Both Countdown and New World (Blenheim Supermarkets) can be booked for online food deliveries to the Waikawa Boating Club. If you would like more details on this – please touch base with Sarah Wiblin.
  • There are excellent fuel facilities on Waikawa Marina at the fuel dock with easy access for all boats up to 60 feet. There is also Oddies Marine and Burnsco for boat supplies. Evolution Sails,  Hurricane Rigging and Allports Electrical will all be on standby to assist with any needs at Waikawa. We will also have a list of service providers and contact numbers available for all boats.
  • The restart will be in Cook Straight. It is approx. 16 miles from the Marina to the start line. There are special requirements to go through Tory Channel entrance at Cook Straight. This will be explained to all skippers at Briefing. There is no land-based viewing of the start line that is road accessible. All boats should allow a minimum of 3 hours from leaving the dock to ensure they get out to the start line in time.
  • Please note. The requirement of being able to motor for 150nm applies from AFTER the start. Please ensure you take into account the motor out to the start line when considering this.

 

STOPOVER 3: NAPIER 

Week two and it’s heading for home – here comes Napier

  • At Napier – the bigger boats will be tied up at the town wharf. This is commonly used for the fishing fleet. Good fenders are required. Boats will be directed here as they finish. Boats may be asked to wait outside the harbour entrance as they finish if it is low tide until there is sufficient depth to get deeper drafted boats through the channel. The Town Wharf is a 10-minute walk to the Napier Sailing Club.
  • Smaller boats will be in Napier Marina (in front of Napier Sailing Club). This may be on dedicated berths or med moored in front of the club, again fenders and good lines will be required.
  • Napier Sailing Club will be open for meals and drinks throughout our stay. Local restaurants are also a short walk from the Marina.
  • There is good parking on the marina for shore crew and a number of accommodation options within walking distance.
  • Evolution Sails will have a team ready to assist with sail repairs inside the Napier Sailing Club. Marine supplies in Napier, and service providers are limited. Parts can be couriered to the Napier Sailing Club.
  • There is a social activity (wine tour planned) exact details and tickets for this will be advised in Napier to allow for the timings of this event to be firmed up.

 

THE FINISH: AUCKLAND

Then the final last leg

  • Heading back to Auckland to finish in front of the Westhaven Marina.
  • The RNZYS Events Berth will be available for out-of-town boats for limited stays.
  • All boats are required to come into Westhaven Marina to complete declarations.
  • The SSANZ team will meet all boats. If your Shore Crew would like to assist SSANZ with this – please contact Sarah Wiblin on 0277051502.
  • Depending on the timing of the bulk of the finishes the RNZYS may open a bar for competitors. More information will be shared on the skippers Whatsapp chat and the shore crew Whatsapp chat.

 

THE PRIZEGIVING

  • RNZYS Ballroom
  • 15th April 2023
  • Time 18:00 Hours
  • Tickets on sale soon!

 

If you have any questions please let us know!

The RNI 2023 Shore Crew