Richard's Blog

Kawau Island Cruise: Kokako - Core Sound 17

2007-01-23T10:50:00.000+13:00

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.

2007-01-23T10:49:00.000+13:00

Kokako under sail in Kawau Bay

2007-01-23T10:48:00.000+13:00

Sailing towards the Kaitu Kala Islands

2007-01-23T10:45:00.000+13:00

Motuketekete Island - one of the Kaitu Kala Island near Kawau

2007-01-23T10:39:00.000+13:00

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.

2007-01-23T10:35:00.000+13:00

Small island of Kawau

2007-01-23T10:30:00.000+13:00

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.

2007-01-23T10:28:00.000+13:00

Mansion House Bay in Bon Accord Harbour on Kawau Island

2007-01-23T10:26:00.000+13:00

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

2007-01-23T10:24:00.000+13:00

Kokako viewed from the grounds of Mansion House

2007-01-23T10:21:00.000+13:00

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

2007-01-23T10:17:00.000+13:00

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.

2007-01-23T10:15:00.000+13:00

Enjoying the end of a good days sailing.

2007-01-23T10:14:00.000+13:00

Dinner ready to be served.

2007-01-23T10:12:00.000+13:00

At anchor and ready to set up some shelter for the night.

2007-01-23T10:01:00.000+13:00

Sunset on Bon Accord Harbour

2007-01-23T09:59:00.000+13:00

Waking in the morning

2007-01-23T09:39:00.000+13:00

Time to pack up for the return sail. As usually happens the wind changed to mean it was a beat back in 10-15 knot of wind. Another good days sail.

Kokako - Open/Wooden boat weekend

2005-11-14T11:21:00.000+13:00

Good start to the morning aboard Kokako

2005-11-14T11:13:00.000+13:00

Rafted up for breakfast

2005-11-14T11:05:00.000+13:00

Sunrise

2005-11-14T11:00:00.000+13:00

Chating around the fire

2005-11-14T10:44:00.000+13:00

Group having BBQ on beach

2005-11-14T10:32:00.000+13:00

Open/Wooden Boat weekend

2005-11-14T10:26:00.000+13:00

Islington Bay Raid - first overnighter aboard Kokako

2005-10-22T14:15:00.000+13:00

Kokako under sail in Motuihe Channel

2005-10-22T13:56:00.000+13:00

Kokako off Rangitoto Island

2005-10-22T13:47:00.000+13:00

Varuna under sail on the way to Motuihe Isand

2005-10-22T13:37:00.000+13:00

Rangitoto at dawn from my sleeping bag.

2005-10-22T13:28:00.000+13:00

First night sleeping on Kokako (Paul on Varuna anchored close by). I had a $9 tarp tied between the masts that flapped in the wind till about 1 am - need to sort something better out.

2005-10-22T13:11:00.000+13:00

First swim of the season (still pretty cool)

2005-10-22T13:04:00.000+13:00

Steve, Dave and Paul ashore on Rangitoto Island (800 year old island - Motutapu which is connected by a small bridge is many million years old)

2005-10-22T12:43:00.000+13:00

Paul onboard Varuna (a Pathfinder designed by John Welsford)

2005-10-22T12:15:00.000+13:00

Kokako, Varuna and Jaunty on the beach at Islington Bay

2005-01-24T13:38:00.001+13:00

A perfect day be out on your own

2005-01-24T13:38:00.000+13:00

Headed for Onemana beach in the distance

2005-01-24T13:37:00.000+13:00

Coromandel coast

2005-01-24T13:36:00.000+13:00

Getting ready to head off beach

2005-01-24T13:35:00.000+13:00

Launching off Whangmata beach

2005-01-24T13:34:00.000+13:00

Out through the waves

2005-01-21T16:09:00.000+13:00

Sail around off shore island off Whagamata (click on image for larger view)

2005-01-21T16:05:00.000+13:00

Kokako beached on island off Coromandel coast

2005-01-21T16:03:00.000+13:00

Low tide Ohiwa Habour

2005-01-21T11:06:00.000+13:00

At the helm off Whagamata

2005-01-21T11:03:00.000+13:00

Sailing on Ohiwa Harbour in the Bay of Plenty

The Start of Something New

2005-01-20T16:03:00.000+13:00

This is the beginning of a blog to communicate things happening in the IrwinWhitney family