Our first time STORM ANCHORING in 50 knots of wind in New Zealand

We managed to enjoy a couple of 'nice' days since leaving the marina. A night spent anchored in Islington Bay, listening to the sound of rain whilst we sat in our cockpit protected by our newly installed cockpit enclosure reminded us why we chose to live this lifestyle. With just a few other boats anchored around us, we felt all alone in this beautiful anchorage listening to the calls of the tīeke (saddleback). This was a welcome relief from all the work we had just done on Tāiko after several weeks on the hard stand installing Tāiko's new Beta Marine engine and other jobs. However, this tranquility does not last long and we soon need to find shelter. In this video we spend a few days anchored off Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf waiting for severe gales to pass and Adam has an opportunity to put all that he's read and learned into practice and test out our storm anchoring. Some weather was predicted and some not. We experienced 50 knots of wind for several days, thunderstorms and lightning directly over Tāiko, torrential rain, and there were added weather warnings of possible tornadoes forming.

We were not alone though, just one other boat and us saw this adverse weather event out in Home Bay. After having just been through another squall within this system, within minutes the wind, rain, and lightning stopped and there was blazing sunshine! We kid you not. The bay was like a millpond. Like it never happened. At first we were nervous to weigh anchor and move on in case another squall made an appearance but eventually we did. We had to motor the whole way! Not a breath of wind to be found!

We hope you enjoy it!

As always, from the crew of Te Tāiko, thanks for watching.

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We’re Adam and Vicki. After a few years of studying and working hard we decided it was time to make a change. We needed a change that would allow us to spend more time together, give us a better work/life balance, and the freedom to travel. While we still had time on our side, we wanted to use it to live rather than use it to chase money. Learning to sail was the answer. In December 2021 we moved onboard Te Tāiko, a Chico40, and since then we have been so fortunate to explore many of New Zealand’s pest free islands and its beautiful anchorages.

With our love of travel and adventure, this lifestyle has enabled us to experience so much more than we could ever have imagined. From new experiences to meeting incredible people along the way, our life has been enriched in so many ways and makes us ever so more appreciative of our environment and the footprint we leave behind. Tāiko is our floating home. She gives us the freedom to go anywhere the wind and weather allows. By living a more minimalistic and sustainable lifestyle, she has provided us with a better work/life balance and has taught us to live and be present more in the moment.

Tāiko has also taught us to be more independent and less reliant on services. Some of these experiences have taken us out of our comfort zone many times but as the saying goes, ‘a comfort zone is a wonderful place but nothing grows there’. Our plan is to do blue water cruising. So, over the next year we will be completing some maintenance work on Tāiko and be getting her ready to meet New Zealand’s category 1 requirements to be able to go offshore. In the meantime, follow along with us as we navigate this new lifestyle whilst sharpening our skills exploring New Zealand waters.

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