Richard's Blog: January 2007

Kawau Island Cruise: Kokako - Core Sound 17

These pictures document a two day cruise I did to Kawau Island in January 2007. Here I am setting out from Maharangi which is about a 45 min. drive from Auckland where I live. (If you have Google Earth you can type in Auckland - if you zoom out a bit you will see Kawau Island named. If you zoom in on the island the biggest harbour is Bon Accord where I anchored for the night)

Kokako is a Core Sound 17 designed by Graham Byrnes of B & B Yacht Designs. On the first day the wind was about 10 knots (one the nose so I was tacking all day). Coming back the wind changed to mean it was a tack back as well. Both days I sailed about 4 hours stopping for lunch.

Kawau Bay is a great cruising ground north of Auckland, New Zealand. I have sailed here before on bigger boats, but this was my first trip in Kokako.

Kokako under sail in Kawau Bay

Sailing towards the Kaitu Kala Islands

Motuketekete Island - one of the Kaitu Kala Island near Kawau

Moturekareka Island in the Kaitu Kala group near Kawau Island. Hulk of the 'Rewa' which was scuttled here by the owner of the island to create a breakwater to anchor behind.

Small island of Kawau

Sailing into Mansion House Bay. Kawau Island was owned in the 1890's by Gov. George Grey. He used it as a retreat and planted an extensive garden and populated it with many exotic species. In the 1980's the Department of Conservation took over his property as a martime park and restored the mansion to how it had been in the 1890's. One of the bonuses for camp cruising in this area is that there are toliets and a cafe that makes good coffee.

Mansion House Bay in Bon Accord Harbour on Kawau Island

Mansion House restored to how it would have been in 1890's.

Kokako viewed from the grounds of Mansion House

Ready to sail up to the head of Bon Accord Harbour to hunt for a good spot to anchor for the night.

At anchor at the head of Bon Accord Harbour on Kawau Island. I was able to anchor in a secluded spot with the shallow draft of my CS17. All I could hear were the birds in the bush around me.