2024 have arrived and Dee and I are busy upgrading Voila with swim step extensions, a new pair of sexy bows, an electric kitchen and a new look port hull with the forward cabin converted to a nice bathroom with additional storage behind. 

With this major upgrade coming to an end this month, we are starting to look at our sailing plans. As a starter, we are firstly looking for some experienced sailing friends to join us from NZ to Fiji leaving in early May. We will stop off in Minerva Reef to break up the trip, catch some crayfish and wait for a good weather window to Fiji.

This passage has got a bit of a reputation and once again we will employ John Martin as our weather router so we reduce the risk of running into any really bad weather (a la the infamous Queens Birthday Storm). Hence the need for experienced ocean going crew. Definitely not a training run as we will be leaving New Zealand in mid-autumn, which is the first opportunity after the close of the cyclone season. 

So if you have the necessary experience and are interested in joining us then drop us a line. 

There will be time either end of the passage to enjoy Opua in the North of NZ and Savusavu in Fiji. Overall its about 800nm (5 days) to Minerva as the crow flies and then another 500nm (3 days) to Savusavu. Plus you will need to allow a reasonable amount of time at the start as we will need to wait for a good weather window and similarly we will wait for our second weather window at Minerva Reef. 

Cheers S&D.