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Vanuatu means “Our Land” or “Land to Stand”

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

Windy day at Eton Beach, Efate Island, Vanuatu

We’ve finally completed the new autopilot installation on the boat! It took much longer than expected due to a shipping delay. John thought FedEx Express would take a maximum of a week, but instead, it took a month. The package was held in Australia for a while before making it to Vanuatu, and then clearing customs added even more time. It’s frustrating when you spend $3,000 on shipping and still face such a long delay. It makes you wonder who is to blame.

Replacing the old autopilot with a different brand (Raymarine) required a completely new setup.

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Many public holidays occur in Australia during April.

Posted on by by Posted in Australia, Boat Projects

Bad Bunny’s New Bottom Paint, John also used leftover blue paint from other boat to SCARE the sharks under water!!!

Last week, most businesses were closed for four days due to Good Friday and the Easter Monday holiday. This coming Friday is ANZAC Day, which stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. It’s a day of remembrance similar to Veterans Day in other countries. As a result, this week is a three-day work week. Our mechanics and boatyard employees will be available from Tuesday to Thursday.

Our engine project is nearing completion. We are scheduled to lift the boat out of the boatyard and return it to the water on Thursday.

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How to be happy today?

Posted on by by Posted in Australia, Boat Projects

Finding happiness during our engine replacement delay has been a challenge. This morning, I asked Google Assistant for advice, and it suggested the above. (Source: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/how-to-be-happier/)

I’ve discovered a peaceful escape by taking the local bus to Bundaberg. The 30-minute ride passes through beautiful farmlands, with vibrant fields and expansive blue skies. The daily bus pass is incredibly cheap, around $1 AUD. On the early morning school run, I enjoy watching the energetic children. The midday bus is a social hub for retirees, who greet each other warmly.

We’re looking forward to exploring Australia properly once the engine is fixed.

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Sugarcane, Macadamia Nuts, and Melon Farms in Bundaberg, Australia

Posted on by by Posted in Australia, Boat Projects, Pacific Islands

A Joey (Baby Kangaroo) in a Pouch of Mom at Cania Gorge Big4 Holiday Park, Queensland, Australia

Bundaberg resembles an inland farming town in Florida. It is summer here, with very hot and humid weather. The sun is intense, but frequent winds provide some cooling relief. We try to avoid being outdoors during the peak sunny hours.

The sugarcane fields stretch endlessly across the horizon. Cane trains run through the town, transporting the harvest from farms to sugar factories and ports. The soil here is fertile, supporting extensive macadamia nut farms, potato fields, and melon farms, which we’ve seen so far.

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Sailing from New Zealand to Australia – Autopilot Problem and Engine Issue

Posted on by by Posted in Australia, Boat Projects, Boating Tips from Bad Bunny John, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

Tracking Map on GPS: Green (Autopilot Driving), Red (Hand Steering while Troubleshooting), Yellow (More Hand Steering during Diagnosis), Blue (Hove-To = Boat In Park)

(Written by John) Famous last words ” I have an idea, let me try this”

During my normal watch period of 8 until 2 I decided to try and manual steer the boat for an experiment to see if we could get more downwind performance. I turned the autopilot off and tried to manually steer us downwind while easing off the Genoa sheet and letting it billow out in front of the boat.

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Good Bye to New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, New Zealand, Sailings, South Pacific

We moved the newly purchased New Zealand Dinghy up on the deck for a long journey. Our cat Happy is ready for sailing. Port Nikau Main Wharf, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

We left Whangarei Town and arrived at Marsden Cove Marina yesterday for our customs clearance. This morning, we’re scheduled to meet with the Customs Officer. Once cleared, we have four hours to depart New Zealand and are not allowed to stop anywhere else within the country.

Two days ago, we took our cats to a Biosecurity-approved veterinarian in Whangarei to begin the pet export process to Australia.

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Daily Bus Tour to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach, New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, New Zealand, Sailings, South Pacific

Tour Bus on 90 Mile Beach, North Island, New Zealand

Spring Fever is here! Local schools are closed for two weeks for Spring break, and we’re enjoying more sunny days with fewer rainy ones. More flowers are starting to bloom.

When we first arrived in New Zealand, we planned to stay for six months, but it turned into a year. During that time, We’ve experienced all four seasons. The year-round pleasant weather, clean air, abundant fresh water, and stunning landscapes, and untouched nature are more reasons that we continuously like New Zealand.

New Zealand’s sailing team won the last two “America’s Cup” competitions and are currently competing in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona,

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Starlink and Its Mount Installation on “Sailboat Bad Bunny”

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, Boating Tips from Bad Bunny John, New Zealand, Sailings

Starlink Antenna after Cutting the Bottom

“High Speed Internet Around the World”! This has been a game-changer for sailors Worldwide.

It was just four years ago when we first heard about Starlink. At that time, we didn’t believe this technology would become available so quick for sailors. However, when we arrived in New Zealand, we ordered a Starlink system and have been using it ever since.

At sea, having access to weather forecast information is critical, and Starlink has been a tremendous help. We absolutely love it! Go Elon Musk!!!

Finding the right installation spot on a sailboat proved to be a bit of a challenge.

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Left Lovely Port Whangarei Marine Center; a boat belongs in the water not on land.

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, New Zealand, Sailings

“The Bunny” is ready for back in the water, Port Whangarei Marine Center, North Island, New Zealand

After staying in the boatyard for the longest time, we were so excited to go back in the water. John’s wrist is almost fully recovered. Spring is approaching. It is slowly getting warmer. Daylight is getting longer. In a couple of months, we will sail to Australia!

Last Friday, the marina (Port Whangarei Marine Center: www.portwhangarei.com) lifted our boat on the slings of the travel lift and removed the stands. The stands have been holding us more than 7 months.

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Cyclone season (November to April) in the South Pacific is over but John broke his wrist

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, Medical Service Experiences, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, South Pacific

John’s Broken Wrist with a Hard Casting, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Sailing life sounds rosy, but staying in a boatyard demands a lot of patience. The boat is on land so the toilets, kitchen sink, and main refrigeration on the boat have been disconnected. We use the boatyard common area for bathrooms, washing dishes, and other tasks and sleep in unorganized cabin for now.

We were aware of the high quality of boating work in New Zealand and we arrived at Port Whangarei Marine Centre (https://portwhangarei.com/) with a list of repairs and upgrades.

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