Saturday December 24, 2011

Hi there,
Stockings above the fire place? Cookies and milk out for Santa? Christmas is here!

The Great Kiwi Mediterranean Flotilla

As the New Year draws close, so too does decision time to join the Kiwi Flotilla in the Mediterranean in 2012. Escaping the New Zealand winter for a few weeks of summer sailing in the Med has already appealed to several sailors who are either set to take delivery of their new boat mid year or who will join the group with a Mediterranean season already under their belt.
Our network of service providers and facilities extends across the Mediterranean for marina berths, caretakers and winterizing. A recent trip to Preveza, Greece introduced a new wintering facility in the heart of the Ionian cruising grounds.  Across the harbor from Preveza, is Actio, the location of three hard stand yards specializing in wintering cruising boats. Over 3000 boats are stored here, most go back in the water to cruise the season and winter in another location further along their cruising trail. There’s still time to order your new Beneteau or Lagoon catamaran in time to join the cruise of a lifetime.

Racing News

For the past few weeks the weather has been appalling rain, rain and more rain. 2 weeks ago the wind did blow….up to 50 kts and such were the gusts the 2-handed series race was cancelled. The Beneteau First 35 ‘First Priority,’ although beautifully prepared and ready to win, never got off the start. Watch this space for the next race results.

The Beneteau First 45 ‘Outrageous Fortune’ is being prepared for the ever popular Sydney to Hobart race starting December 26 over the New Year. Click here to watch their progress.

Series concludes:

The Yachtfinders Global Summer Twilight Series concluded on Tuesday night at the Waikawa Boating Club with a fleet of 44 yachts taking to the circuit for the last of what has been a very well supported series.  Every Tuesday night for the past 3 months there has consistently been at least 30 and often upwards of 40 yachts out on the bay joining in the competition, fun and camaraderie that makes up a successful series. Many thanks to the Waikawa Boating Club, members and crew for a well organised and attended event.

Series overall placings;
Division 1
1. Slingshot, 2. Nefertiti, 3. Reprieve

Division 2
1. Welcome Home, 2. Excel, 3. Bavaria

Division 3
1. Amanzimtoti, 2. Paperchase, 3. Entertainer

Division 4
1. Flying Nimbus, 2. Settimo, 3. Crazy Daimond

‘Voila’ has arrived!

The new Beneteau Oceanis 54 ‘Voila’ has arrived at our Westhaven yard. Destined to operate skippered charters in the Marlborough Sounds she will be commissioned in early January following the Christmas break, followed by sea trials before being sailed to her new home at Picton Marina.  This is only the second Oceanis 54 to be imported into to New Zealand and the only one available for charter. ‘Voila’ features a spacious 3 cabin layout with separate crew quarters forward. For more information on chartering this beauty of the Beneteau fleet, view here.

Santa Hat Brownies

Need a gift to give? Run out of ideas? Try this pearler…

Ingredients:

• 150g butter
• 200g chocolate buttons
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 cup castor sugar
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 punnet strawberries
• 1 ½ cups of icing sugar
• Piping bag

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 20cm x 31cm baking tray with foil, and then spray it with cooking spray and place to one side.
In a small saucepan melt 125g butter and chocolate over a low heat. Once melted, add eggs and vanilla essence and beat to combine.
Add sugar, flour and baking powder, stir well to combine then pour into the baking tray.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven, cool on wire rack then cut into your desired shape when cool.
While cooling, make your icing.
Spread a small layer of icing on top, place strawberry (with stalk cut off) upside down to stick to icing & then using a piping bag, squeeze the icing onto the tip of the strawberry to make your ‘bobble’

Yummy. And looks good too.

Kids Corner

What do elves learn in school?
The elf - abet

Why do fish live in saltwater?
Because pepper makes them sneeze!

Remember to keep safe on the water this summer kids, and always wear your sunscreen along with your life jacket!

Latitude Charters South Update

A new Robson 40 sportsfisher is the first of two boats due into the Latitude Charter South Island fleet for this coming season. Based out of Picton Marina ‘Eva Anne’ is available for skippered and qualified bareboat charter around the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman out to D’Urville Island. She boasts a comfortable galley/saloon, 360 vision, two cabins and equipped with generator, dive compressor, dive tank storage, electric fishing rods and underwater CTV.  Also based at Picton Marina ‘Voila’ a Oceanis 54 is due to go into charter service early February.

It’s all in Our Name

Yachtfinders Global means exactly what it says; our service extends worldwide. Point in case a recent survey and sea trial in Greece was managed to a successful conclusion. Locating a recommended local  surveyor was perhaps the hardest part of the project but, but expat British surveyor proved to be a great contact and one we’ll use again in the future.

The yard was also a great service with, haul out, hard stand storage, electricity and four new accommodation units for visitors.

Boat inspection, Customs Bond release, Port Police clearance, launching, sea trialing, hauling out again to store, renewed Bond, boat packed for handover, all completed in 3 hectic days. It was a whirlwind trip for the seller, buyer and YFG broker David Woodley. A few hours in Athens on the way home allowed a quick walk up to the Acropolis to take in the sights.

Best wishes on & off the water

The Yachtfinders Global Team