rotrax
Well-Known Member
Took our Steel Hartley 32 " Ella " out in Wellington Harbour this afternoon with our DIL's parents as crew. Once we left the berth we turned into the wind and got the sails up. It was down wind, very light breeze and against the tide.
The trusty Bukh was put back on and the fishing rod bought into action. Within 15 minutes we had a pan sized Kahawai landed.
It was time to turn out of Evans Bay into Oriental Bay for a coffee and cake stop, anchored by the fountain-a favourite stop of ours. The wind had piped up a bit and our couple of tweaks to the rig made since our last trip worked a treat, we broad reached under full main and genoa going as fast as she ever has.
While anchored, just before dealing with the washing up I spotted a large pod of Dolphins chasing and feeding on the Kahawai. This was pointed out to the others. and the binoculars came out for a closer view.
Before long they surrounded us, moved away again, and then returned. The grapevine had been working and the seafront on the Queens Wharf side was packed with spectators. I lifted the anchor and we headed back, the Dolphins all around. As we turned back into Evans Bay the pod was all around again, following the Kahawai into Evans Bay.
Their behaviour changed as they finished feeding, happier to play in the bow wave and zig zag back and forth under the boat.
What a great afternoon! The boat went really good, all systems working well, we caught Bobs tea and had a couple of hours of close up action with our cetacean friends. Priceless.
The trusty Bukh was put back on and the fishing rod bought into action. Within 15 minutes we had a pan sized Kahawai landed.
It was time to turn out of Evans Bay into Oriental Bay for a coffee and cake stop, anchored by the fountain-a favourite stop of ours. The wind had piped up a bit and our couple of tweaks to the rig made since our last trip worked a treat, we broad reached under full main and genoa going as fast as she ever has.
While anchored, just before dealing with the washing up I spotted a large pod of Dolphins chasing and feeding on the Kahawai. This was pointed out to the others. and the binoculars came out for a closer view.
Before long they surrounded us, moved away again, and then returned. The grapevine had been working and the seafront on the Queens Wharf side was packed with spectators. I lifted the anchor and we headed back, the Dolphins all around. As we turned back into Evans Bay the pod was all around again, following the Kahawai into Evans Bay.
Their behaviour changed as they finished feeding, happier to play in the bow wave and zig zag back and forth under the boat.
What a great afternoon! The boat went really good, all systems working well, we caught Bobs tea and had a couple of hours of close up action with our cetacean friends. Priceless.
