Nordhavn 51 - Awanui NZ Adventures

[Fire99]

Marks videos are very open and honest. They are different to other Nordhavn Vlogs, I find myself playing them on the tv whilst doing something else and only engage for the more interesting bits. That always leaves your open to critisism.

I don’t drink coffee ‍♂.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw his cross channel track so much so that I grabbed. Screenshot. His argument was poor, if he had altered course to port a few times to pass behind eastbound traffic that would be acceptable. I have crudely added an orange line that would have only added 5NM and been perfectly legal.

I agree. It took a little while for me to warm to them but I've got a bit hooked by even his longer videos now. But yes I'm usually making breakfast or similar whilst he's rattling on but I do like his warts n all approach and no-one seems harder on him than himself. He does kick himself when he makes a mistake..

And yeah I also agree he dropped a cog when it comes to the TSS navigation. But hey, nobody's perfect and fortunately he didn't upset any ships nor get in any bother with the authorities so no harm done on this occasion.

 

[AndieMac]

I have enjoyed Tony Fleming's videos in the past. Very calming, almost soporific, voice and a nice turn of phrase. Not to mention the amazing scenery.

I can’t see how Tony Fleming’s excellent productions can be compared to this Nordhavn channel

 

[Fire99]

I can’t see how Tony Fleming’s excellent productions can be compared to this Nordhavn channel

Boats, Travels, Scenery, Youtube.. Comparisons made. The end.

 

[Fire99]

Watched that last night, thought it was a bit of an arrogant attitude RE shipping lane's, especially as he's not travelling very fast

Mark's latest video he holds his hands up and acknowledges he was wrong regarding the shipping lanes. Mistake made.. Apologies given. We move on.

 

[billskip]

Mark's latest video he holds his hands up and acknowledges he was wrong regarding the shipping lanes. Mistake made.. Apologies given. We move on.

I agree...with reservation...being an airline pilot he would be in serious trouble ignoring protocol.
That said, he is a kiwi and has his culture.
I say good luck to him he's happy..
Good info about immigration problems often discussed here.
I enjoy the reality, it's not dressed up to be influencing, however he does promote when he feels it's helpful.

 

[Fire99]

I agree...with reservation...being an airline pilot he would be in serious trouble ignoring protocol.
That said, he is a kiwi and has his culture.
I say good luck to him he's happy..
Good info about immigration problems often discussed here.
I enjoy the reality, it's not dressed up to be influencing, however he does promote when he feels it's helpful.

Yeah he's got a bit of defiance in him even in retirement, or maybe because of retirement.

I have to roll my eyes a bit about how much faff we make regarding immigration of one guy on a boat when it seems if you have zero identification it's "welcome to the free UK theme park!".

 

[Fire99]

[Deleted quoted content removed]

It would be funny if it wasn't true..

 

[Bouba]

Goodbye thread

 

[MapisM]

Mark's latest video he holds his hands up and acknowledges he was wrong regarding the shipping lanes. Mistake made.. Apologies given. We move on.

No need to wait - neither his apologies nor his latest video.
I decided to move on after the first 2 or 3 minutes of the first one I found, out of idle curiosity, after reading your OP.
Nothing against the guy, I just struggled to find a reason to watch him.

 

[billskip]

, I just struggled to find a reason to watch him.

I find the same reading your posts.

 

[MapisM]

I find the same reading your posts.

Fair enough, just do what I just said I did, and move on.

 

[EricJ]

Evening all,
There is now a Meet the Owner video online by Aquaholic with the N51 owner.
A better video altogether. I think Nick told him to clean up his boat for this shoot
The N51 is a nice boat, but they tried to cram a lot into 51ft which shows in some places. Also the quality problems that surfaced throughout all these Awanui videos are worrying.
Nordhavn announced that they are working on a new 46 footer in a video about the N71. Not surprisingly, this one will be built in Taiwan again.

 

[billskip]

Also the quality problems that surfaced throughout all these Awanui videos are worrying.

I thought Mark made it quite clear there is no problem with the Nordhavn build, all the problems were with the ancillary equipment which is pretty much part of all manufacturers.
As for cleaning the boat up for the video, Mark also said what you get from his videos is warts'n'all...

 

[Fire99]

The N51 is a nice boat, but they tried to cram a lot into 51ft which shows in some places.

I actually look forward to the Awanui NZ videos. (As I've found here, that's not a universal position here )

I said myself a while back that in my opinion too much was being squeezed into the N51. After a few more videos and paying careful attention, I still think that. Personal opinion of course, but the N51 always looks inside that the galley is brilliant with everything you need and good space, but the saloon is almost squeezed in after. Considering how much time is spent in the saloon, it's pretty 'pinched' for a premium vessel, and I'm guessing a lot of sacrifices are necessary with the Nordhavn layouts to still have a full pilothouse with captain's bed etc.

Other than the issues from build, it does look an extremely functional boat which suits someone who wants to spend more time going places than arguing over what product is needed to keep the teak deck looking spick n span.

 

[EricJ]

I watched the videos in the beginning, but some are a bit long. The technical bits I find interesting. He put a lot of effort into these videos and I commend him for that.
On paper the N51 looked amazing but I agree that in some places the unavoidable compromises come to the surface; the space in the saloon, the forward cabin, the forward heads.
It may have been the combination of being the first boat off the line, detailed YouTube coverage and the owner immediately starting his trip rather than hang around in Turkey to get the first issues sorted out. It made it all look as if quality control was not good.
Still a great, functional boat as you say. I am very much looking forward to see the layout of the N 46.

 

[Fire99]

Still a great, functional boat as you say. I am very much looking forward to see the layout of the N 46.

I won't lie I'm not really a guy who 'gets' the Nordhavns but I'll be interested to see if the new '46 is a departure from the norm in any way.

One thing I will commend Mark on the channel with, he's certainly clocking up the miles on his and he seems to love it. A simple thing but that's great to see.

 

[Bouba]

I think...if you want to take a fifty foot (or less) motorboat to New Zealand on it’s bottom....then getting a Nordhavn would be your first thought. Wether that’s marketing or reality.....doesn’t matter

 

[Fire99]

I think...if you want to take a fifty foot (or less) motorboat to New Zealand on it’s bottom....then getting a Nordhavn would be your first thought. Wether that’s marketing or reality.....doesn’t matter

I think if you're doing it via a cazillion stops there are many many options. I'd happily do it in my boat (and it's technically sub 50ft)
Nordhavns are very capable distance cruisers but they are also very much an acquired taste. I couldn't live with the asymmetric deck layout.. (Purely personal preference)

 

[wonkywinch]

We're neighbours in Newtown Creek at the moment and met up in the New Inn yesterday which led to an invite on board for drinks. As ex pilots, we spent over an hour playing with tech trying to dig into the menus to adjust his Garmin set up to depth below the keel vs the zero offset (ie meaningless sounder to bottom). Managed to get the depth read out correct but not the waterfall depth history display.

He's looking for ideas for anchorages heading east next but my knowledge stops at Selsey Bill. I'll get him to sign up here so the friendly East Coast people can help?

 

[Fire99]

We're neighbours in Newtown Creek at the moment and met up in the New Inn yesterday which led to an invite on board for drinks. As ex pilots, we spent over an hour playing with tech trying to dig into the menus to adjust his Garmin set up to depth below the keel vs the zero offset (ie meaningless sounder to bottom). Managed to get the depth read out correct but not the waterfall depth history display.

He's looking for ideas for anchorages heading east next but my knowledge stops at Selsey Bill. I'll get him to sign up here so the friendly East Coast people can help?

Suggest you warn Mark that he may need his online 'hard hat' on if he visits here. And in no uncertain terms must he dare mention what kind of anchor he likes best
That said, the East Coast gang should hopefully have some gems of places to anchor on the east. He's been up some pretty shallow areas so he shouldn't be too shocked when he reaches the Crouch and Blackwater and ends up motoring in a couple of metres.