Day One

Meet our friendly crew, stow your bags and get to know your home for the next few days. We will escort you to the NZ Maritime Museum for a tour and in-depth discussion about the Blake exhibition.

Return to these iconic vessels with new lenses and a renewed respect for what Sir Peter Blake achieved with these yachts that you are about to sail on. Peter Blake was an environmentalist and we would like to share throughout this experience pockets of great work that are happening in our ‘backyard’ – the Hauraki Gulf. We’ll start with a demonstration of what the Seabins are and the role they play in the Viaduct.

We will be back on board about midday for the essential safety briefing and enjoy lunch as we depart the Viaduct.

We will sail to Motuihe Island, nestle into a calm bay and set the anchor for the afternoon, and most likely the night. Step ashore on a sandy beach where we will be met by Motuihe Island Trust to share with you the history of the island and explain what is being done there now with the option of a beach clean before a BBQ on the beach.

We have a wonderful documentary to share in the evening outlining the sailing career of Sir Peter Blake, called ‘Blakey’

Day Two

Wake to the sound of nature and the ripple of the water lapping against the hull. Get up! there is an exciting new day to begin. Pull up the anchor and explore the stunning coastline of Waiheke Island – keep an eye out for vineyards or olive groves and inspect holiday homes as we sail down the coast to the more remote parts of the island.

Sail for about 2-3 hours to the distant ‘bottom end’ of Waiheke Island. Go ashore at Man O War Winery and taste some of their renowned wines -the setting is just to die for. For every bottle of wine sold, the NZ Sailing Trust will receive a donation to the Youth Development programs, helping NZ kids get on the water. Watch the sun go down here or move to another nearby bay to settle in for the night. We have another documentary to watch or just sit on the deck and soak up the surroundings while reflecting on your day and anticipating what tomorrow will bring.

Day Three

Upon rising and after a good breakfast we will head to nearby Rotoroa Island. This tranquil island is owned by the Salvation Army and in the 1960s was a rehabilitation centre for drug and alcohol addicts post-war. Learn about the restoration project that has taken place to make this a pest-free island and encourage NZ birdlife to return. Visit the museum, walk in the bush or on the beaches or simply potter around the Heritage village.

Early lunch before departing for the

Get the heart pumping and experience the exhilaration of the water gushing along the rails as we head back to ‘the big smoke’ of Auckland city and if time allows, sail under Auckland’s iconic harbour bridge.

Disembarking approximately 3.00pm

Highlights

· Sailing onboard iconic sailing vessels significant to NZ sailing history

· Island Exploration

· Conservation focus

· Ocean swimming

· BBQ dinner

· Maritime Museum

· Visit Rotoroa Island and Motuihe Island

· Experience the exquisite wines of Man o War

Whether you have sailed the world or have yet to experience the thrill of adrenaline that comes from being at the helm of such magnificent vessels, this experience will leave you feeling like a captain of the seas.

You don’t have to be a sailor to get on-board Lion NZ or Steinlager 2, an acceptable level of fitness is the only requirement suggested. Elements of physicality during this trip involve being able to climb in and out of a tender (small boat used to transfer you from yacht to shore) and the ability to climb a ladder in order to get in and out of the tender or from the water swimming.

This experience is suitable for children from 13 years and above, families, groups, couples, corporate teams, and any configuration of interested individuals looking for an experience of the sea, salt, fun, camaraderie, and the natural wonders of our maritime environment and private islands.

Included

· Experienced crew

· On board accommodation (single bunks, bedding required)

· Meals included

· Inflatable Tender

· Relevant guides or speakers

· Kayaks

Included

· Experienced crew with the highest levels of health and safety

· Onboard accommodation (single bunks, bedding required)

· Meals included

· Inflatable Tender

· Kayaks

All food and drink will be provided on your trip including breakfast, lunches, and dinner. Menu is dependent on the season.

On-board single bunk accommodation is provided. Simply bring your preferred type of bedding, favourite pillow, and enjoy a gentle sleep far away from the city bustle.

Your experienced crew will ensure smooth sailing as they anchor you in the best-secluded spots the Hauraki Gulf has to offer. Enjoy a refreshing ocean swim or explore the gulf in one of our two on-board kayaks.

As your safety on this trip is paramount, both Lion NZ and Steinlager 2 boats will store inflatable tenders on-board alongside life jackets for each and every passenger and member of the crew.

$990 NZD per person fully inclusive of 2 overnights accommodation, food, safety equipment.

Child pricing, 13-17 years inclusive is 10% off the adult pricing. Please note that 15% family discount will be applied to a family of four or more. Please note all youth under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.

Departure dates for the two-night expeditions normally depart the viaduct on Friday, please complete the inquiry form further down the page and we will send you the expedition dates and availability.

Please note there is an introductory launch offer from 1st May of $100 off each ticket cost. Introductory offer valid until the end of June 2020.

Our Yacht – NZ Lion

Sir Peter Blake had a very specific idea of the boat that he wanted to build for the 1985/86 Whitbread Around the World Race.

After discussions with a number of top New Zealand yacht designers, the design was awarded to New Zealander Ron Holland, based in Ireland.

The boat had to have the following criteria: 31 tons of actual displacement weight (light but stiff)
It needed to excel to windward
It had to be very fast when reaching under two sails
It had to be fully controllable downwind with a spinnaker up
It had to be a masthead rig.

The result was one of the finest International Ocean Racing (I.O.R). maxi sloops ever built.
Construction of Lion NZ began in 1983, with a launch date set for November 1984. This was to coincide with the Sydney to Hobart Race beginning on Boxing Day – her first real test. Unfortunately, on completion Lion NZ came in 8 tons heavier than the original design draft, and to make matters worse all the weight was in the wrong places, her hull, and fittings.

It became apparent that the extra weight was going to slow the boat down in lighter conditions. Lion’s first race – the 1984 Sydney to Hobart Race – was a true test. After 3 days, 11 hours, 31 minutes, 21 seconds Lion NZ crossed the finish Lion in First Place.

She had proven her strength and gained the nickname, “The Urban Assault Vehicle.”

Our Yacht – Steinlager 2

Due to racecourse changes for the 1989/90 Whitbread, a different kind of yacht was called for and again Sir Peter Blake drew from his experience and knowledge of sailing to create Steinlager2.

The crew was chosen not only for their excellence in sailing but between them had all the skills and expertise to contribute valuable knowledge and input to the design of this yacht. Such was their skills that they were able to repair and maintain absolutely everything on board while at sea.

Much of the design for Steinlager2 was based around the 60ft trimaran Steinlager 1.
Steinlager1 was built using materials and techniques that were new to boat building and the
the construction method was tested when Sir Peter Blake and Mike Quilter sailed the boat around Australia.

Blake commissioned the US-based New Zealand Yacht Designer, Bruce Farr to design Steinlager2. The base design was the same as four other boats entering the Whitbread.

Once the basic design was done, Blake came forward with the changes that the team would require for their boat.

The yacht was to be as long as possible while still complying with the rules (the longer the boat the faster it will go).
The yacht must be easily steered and track well when fully under load.
The yacht must be a ketch rig.

The Farr office delivered a design that looked very similar to Grant Dalton’s entry and Blake was not happy. Last-minute changes called for a fractional rig set up. Meaning in order to balance out the loads the boat would be longer and therefore faster.

The Steinlager2 team went to great lengths to hide the design of the boat from the other syndicates until it was too late for any of them to make any further changes. The famous Fastnet Race in England was to be the testing grounds for this new design and the first time the boat would be up against most of the other Whitbread fleet.

Steinlager2 proved very fast downwind and the yacht proved very fast – this was to be the first of many wins for Steinlager2 and her crew – but this was the most satisfying win of all as it proved that what they had designed was right. 1989/90 WHITBREAD AROUND THE WORLD RACE Steinlager2 and her amazing sailors went on to win an unprecedented full sweep of all six legs of the race. Never had this been done before. Not only winning on their handicap but
winning overall honors as well.

Empowering Young People, and Now You.

Since 2008, the NZ Sailing Trust has empowered young New Zealanders by providing a truly special sailing experience that encourages leadership, teamwork, and environmental awareness that enriches them with a newfound sense of courage. Over 8,000 youth have been proudly supported by the NZ Sailing Trust in conjunction with the New Zealand Nautical Trust. They have learned to appreciate the knowledge needed to drive these yachts around the world and have challenged them with respect and admiration for their sailors and the sea. Participants understand their identity, respect for their peers, their unique strengths, and a sense of challenge that transcends challenge. These programs are designed to harness the talents and capabilities of each individual as they themselves grow to become leaders in their own lives.

Climb on-board one of our dream yachts. These magnificent vessels have founded the careers of many successful Kiwi Sailors who overcame adversity, skepticism, and fear to win the hearts not only of New Zealand but of the world. It is essential to our cultural fabric and New Zealand’s nautical history that these yachts are retained and used to help inspire the next generation of young people in New Zealand. We invite you to experience the magic of sailing as we work to continue the legacy left behind by our beloved sailing greats and their contribution to the national pride of our country and to the continuation of sailing as sport and passion for many in New Zealand.

Seasickness

Q. What if I become seasick?

A. Our crew are well trained on how to manage people that suffer from seasickness. They have the knowledge to recommend seasickness tablets when appropriate and have other means to help participants feel better.

Qualified Crew

Q. Are the crew qualified?

A. The minimum crew requirements to safely operate the vessels is with one skipper and 2 crew. On most occasions we take at least one of our trained volunteers. Our skippers are qualified with SRL qualification or equivalent and our crew have sufficient experience on-board the vessels to satisfy skipper of competence. Both of which are in accordance to Maritime Law.

Weather conditions

Q. What if the weather is bad?

Weather conditions can change. The skipper and crew will monitor the weather conditions closely. They will select each end destination according to the conditions, this may differ slightly from the advertised schedule. We still sail if it is raining, in fact this can add to the experience in many cases. New Zealand Sailing Trust suggest to bring lots of layered clothing and a waterproof jacket. They have full wet weather trousers and jackets available for all participants to use whilst on board. The New Zealand Sailing Trust will postpone any journey if the conditions are unsafe. This rarely happens.

Safety equipment

Q. Do we need to wear life jackets?

A. All participants will be required to wear life jackets as a minimum requirement whilst under sail and when going ashore by tender. The New Zealand Sailing Trust will provide these to everyone on board.

Fitness

Q. I am unsure of my level of fitness for this experience?

A. You don’t have to be a sailor to get on-board Lion NZ or Steinlager 2, an acceptable level of fitness is the only requirement suggested. Elements of physicality during this trip involve being able

to climb in and out of a tender (small boat used to transfer you from yacht to shore) and the ability to climb a ladder in order to get in and out of the tender or from the water swimming

Q. What shall I bring?

A. On confirmation of the tour we will send you a list of items you should bring. All items should be in a soft roll bag that can fit under your bunk. Warm layers of clothing, change of clothes, basic toiletries

Our power plugs are low voltage and not available for plugging in personal items. Please ensure anything that requires power is fully charged.

Q. What if I don’t have bedding?

A. You can purchase a new sleeping bag and a soft pillow for $120pp incl GST. We do ask that you take the items with you when disembarking from the boat.

Q. I am worried about COVID-19

A. Rest assured New Zealand Sailing Trust has taken every precaution to sanitise all points of contact on the boat. This is a challenging environment to keep social distancing. We have a full COVID-19 protocols response plan and can provide you with a summary on request.

Q. Is there storage on the boats?

A. There is no storage onboard the boats. We suggest a small soft roll bag with your personal items inside of it. Plus a sleeping bag and possibly a pillow.

Q. Can I bring a camera/phone onboard?

A. Yes of course. You must do so at your own risk and all personal items are the responsibility of the individual. We cannot guarantee they will stay dry if you have them up on the deck whilst sailing. Consider a wrist strap and or waterproof protection if you decide to take personal items such as cameras or phones.

Q. Are their toilet and showers onboard?

A. There are at least two toilets on board each boat. There are no showers. A refreshing swim always does the trick!

Q. How much do these sailing journeys cost?

A. Overnight $650 per person inclusive GST

3 day, 2 night $990 per person inclusive GST

Youth 10% discount or 15% discount for families