Crew Comments from Mahina Tiare III
Hi John and Amanda.
We're in Opua. Arrived here at noon on Thanksgiving day and enjoyed turkey dinner at the cruising club. We've decided to enjoy the Bay of Islands until early January, then start working our way south. Thanks for the heads up on Tauranga. Sounds like a fun place so we'll definately spend some time there. We also want to sail to the south island to explore Marlborough Sound. When we mention that one, we get a lot of raised eyebrows. Have you sailed down that way before?
So, unfortunately we're not going to see you in Auckland before Monday. Stay in touch and we'll make a date for when you return in the spring. We're actually going to try and find some work that we could start in June and stay on until the following May. We'd like more time in NZ and it would also put a little money into the cruising kitty. Being a Landscape Architect, I'm very interested in a job where I could get a better knowledge of the sub-tropical plant palette and with Brad's construction experience he should be able to find something.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thanks again for getting us out on the water, away from the dock and into the cruising life. We love it more every day!
Linda and Brad
We took advantage of John Neal's consultancy service as we planned for our retirement dream of owning a cruising sailboat. John's input regarding possible boat models, equipment to consider, and help with decisions on many aspect of our purchase were invaluable, as was the practical training we received from John and Amanda during our Pacific cruise with Mahina Expeditions in 2004. In 2008 we took delivery of our Hallberg-Rassy 43, Diomedea II, in our new home port of Sydney, Australia. As we learn about our local cruising grounds, weather, sailing conditions and the running of our boat we constantly refer to the notes from John and Amanda's cruising seminar. Their help and counsel has made our transition from dreamers to boat owners a joy. Our boat has turned out to be all we had hoped for and is perfect for us as we grow in our knowledge and abilities as sailors.
Anne Reeckmann and Gary Holmes, Sydney, Australia.
Comments from our 2007 Crew Members
Thanks for creating such a life changing experience with the opportunity to step off the wild cycle of modern life to reflect on what life is really about. Your generosity of spirit is rare and remarkable. The new friends made were a key contribution to a great six weeks." Richard
"Thanks for exceeding all my expectations. This was an incredible trip with incredible people. You have been great mentors for my cruising dream!" Carolyn
"Transiting the Caledonian Canal, seeing Scapa Flow, sailing across the prime meridian and sailing the Norwegian and Swedish archipelagos were all dreams of mine, now finally fulfilled. Dancing to Swedish rock music, however, was one adventure I never expected!" Ken
"In two weeks of instruction I have learned more than in 12 years of self-taught sailing. One morning, anchored in a small Swedish bay, it felt that as the first day of a new life: free and simple, but full of meaning. I understood that Mahina Tiare was teaching me more than sailing;it was opening a door..." Lydia
Dear John and Amanda
A short note to thank you very much for the wonderful experience you
provided for Anne and
me. The two weeks were well and truly up to expectation. Anne is already
planning for the
next one (no joke flag)
Thanks again
Dave and Anne
Swedish Expedition Member Karolina Schulz Takes Delivery of Her New Hallberg-Rassy 40!
Mac Taylor sailed with us from Spitsbergen to Tromso, Leg 3-2001 and he and Catherine joined us on Leg 5-99.
It is exciting that they have explored Denmark and Sweden, sold their house and getting close to ordering a new Nauticat 42 for extended cruising. The most exciting and gratifying part of our business is seeing people realize their dreams of cruising and adventure!
Hi John and Amanda
Glad to see via the satellite that you are back on the water. Catherine and I sold our house, and just returned from a month of sailing in Denmark and Sweden in a Nauticat 39 we chartered. We learned a lot about sailing in countries where we don't speak the language, crowded marinas, rafting up 5 deep, and happy happy Scandanavians on summer vacation. It was a great trip. We also very much appreciate your good teaching which made us confident, and hopefully competent. We visited the Nauticat factory in Turku, and liked the 42 that they are making now. Maybe we'll order one. Best to you both.
Mac Taylor
Leg 1 2000 - Victoria
to San Diego
Rose takes delivery of her new Hallberg-Rassy
46 in October 2000 and plans a world circumnavigation with friends
in four years when she retires as a Boeing test and delivery pilot.
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After years of preparation for an
around the world adventure, I signed aboard the Mahina Tiare to
test my skills and knowledge. What better way to assess my personal
level of preparedness and to get more ideas for my boat than to
sail with John and Amanda on the heavy weather leg from Victoria,
B.C. to San Diego, California?
It was good to be able to apply
my knowledge with gentle coaching from John and Amanda to fine tune
the rough edges. I now know what to focus on as I continue along
the path of knowledge that leads to safe, fun voyaging.
Rose Loper, Seattle, Washington
Leg 2 2000 San Diego to Acapulco
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Thank
you again for so much fun, oops I mean a great educational opportunity.
For me this voyage means the difference between cruising on the
coast and the possibility of venturing out on a passage .We are
just beginning our adventure and appreciate your help in making
us aware of so much; safety, tools and techniques, and for sharing
your home and heart.
It has been great to see that there are friends to make along
the way and I appreciate having met some of yours.
What a great time we shared!
Vicki Howard, Seattle, Washington
(2nd from right in photo)
 Leg 3 2000 Acapulco to Panama
This was probably the most influential learning experience of
my life.
I found a lot of what I expected and a lot of what I never anticipated.
It will take me a long time to assimilate it all.
I hope our paths cross again in some remote port.
Jonathan Seaman, Nashville, Tennessee (Jonathon
with green fin)
jaseaman@dalcon-icis.com
Leg 4 2000 Panama to Tortola
Thanks for your generosity of spirit.
Beyond the instruction I've learned a great deal by observing
how you both live and work aboard, you show great efficiency in
your style. The expedition was great and has provided an open
door to further adventures. The highlight for me was the passage
to windward, I love the rhythm of boat and crew going around the
clock.
Ed Kish, Simi Valley, California
kishrig@aol.com
Leg 5 2000 Tortola to Azores
 I really appreciated the opportunity
to make a major passage.
Tortola to the Azores is a significant achievement!!!
I feel that I am much more confident thanks to you both for teaching
me the insights.
Rosemary Hamilton, Halifax, Nova Scotia
(2nd on left in photo)
Leg 6 2000 Azores to Ireland
 The sailing, food and companionship
were great! The weather was just what I had hoped for and the learning curve
was high. Thanks for all the gentle tips on sailing at night and
for being so organized; so many ideas to carry on to our boat.
The expedition truly met and exceeded what I had anticipated.
Linda Frye, Lincolnshire, Illinois
(Linda in center front)
dougfrye@grubb-ellis.com
Leg 7 2000 Ireland to Scotland
You lived up to your mission statement 10 fold over!!!
Your positive attitude about everything, your sense of how to
keep a crew happy, and your superb leadership gave me a whole
new understanding of sailing, plus I learned a lot too!!!
Donna Calhoun, New York, New York
Leg 8 2000 Scotland to Sweden
 You two have the unique ability
to combine business with pleasure on the highest level, and it
permeates the entire learning experience.
In spite of Dr Sprocket's Rectum Rockets, I saw my food both coming
and going, but managed, with your help, to overcome this distraction
to learning.
My fellow students made this expedition complete.
Overall a tremendous experience!!
Rolf Forssander, New Orleans, Louisiana
Following the expedition, Rolf checked out his new HR 39 at
the HR boatyard which was being shipped to Texas. He and his wife
Lisa plan to go on ocean voyages once their daughter is off to
college.
Leg 1 1999 Auckland to French Polynesia
Thank you for your hospitality, kindness and understanding. I will never forget
the time spent with you guys. My midnight
watches with Amanda with huge seas, over 60 knot winds and jasmine
tea were the best. You gave us all - perfect weather mixture,
true sailing experience and a chance to explore beautiful French
Polynesia.
Hope to seen you again!
Mariusz Koper, Poland and Toronto, Canada
Leg 2 1999 French Polynesia
I enjoyed being in this beautiful
part of the world to learn about sailing and the cruising life
from your generous sharing. Especially liked snorkeling, pink
coral sand beaches, warm water, night sailing, Amanda's good cooking
and buying pearls.
Many thanks
Peggy Herman, Mercer Island, Washington
 
Cathy and Siegismund, her partner Ken
and boat Felicity.
John & Amanda, I wanted to drop
you an email that Ken and I have safely made it to San Diego.
Doing the trip with you in March first was a great experience.
I had a much better idea what to expect and the trip with you
gave me the confidence to bring our boat down the coast with just
the 2 of us.
We experienced everything coming down the coast from
long motors in pea soup fog to 6+ hours in sustained winds in
the high 40s with gusts to the low 50's off Cape Mendocino. It
was quite a ride, but our little Tashiba 31 behaved wonderfully,
and Ken, that rat didn't take a thing and never was sick once!
After my heavy reliance on the sick tubs on MT, I was very worried
about getting too worn down with just 2 of us onboard. For future
reference, I got a friend in the UK to send me some Stugeron and
it's worth it's weight
in gold. I never got sick, wasn't tired, no side affects -- even
in our roller coaster ride off N. California. I would strongly
recommend it if you can get it. We're finishing up last minute
projects and preparing for our trip to Mexico. If weather looks
good, we'll be joining the Baja ha ha rally on Tuesday. It looked
like you had a great trip to Sweden. Thank you again the wonderful
experience and all your patience. Hope all is well, and we'll
look for you in the SP.
Cathy & Ken s/v Felicity
wcz2917@sailmail.com
Leg 3 1999 Tahiti to Hawaii
Thank you for presenting such an
experience of a lifetime. I came with great expectations but left
with more than I ever imagined. Not only did I learn a great deal
about cruising but what it is to be a crew member, what it takes
to get people to work together, and most importantly about myself.
I really appreciate having the opportunity to be part of your
expedition.
Heikki Kanerva, Finland and Seattle
Heikkik@microsoft.com
Leg 4 1999 Hawaii to Canada
What a pleasure it's been. Thank
you for a wonderful beginning. While this voyage has come to an
end, the skill and confidence we have gained will surely serve
us well in our adventures to come. Fair winds and we hope to see
you soon.
Jim Haack, Seattle
Leg 6 1999 Petersburg to Queen Charlottes
I have certainly enjoyed the past
2 weeks with you and the "crew". A different climate,
new cruising water, interesting stories, all were great. You have
given me a real feel for the cruising life - some hard work and
organization, maybe it is all worth it. Hope to see you again
in Hawaii. Aloha
Diana Forster, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Leg 9 1998, Coastal New Zealand
We took the chance, escaped Sweden's
winter to join you. We have really learned a lot! You have shown
us so much, we've got an insight to cruising over the BIG SEAS!
This knowledge will grow in your spirit of always having the security
of everybody onboard and the ship as first priority.
Susanne & Lars Johansson, Gothenburg,
Sweden
Lars.lj.johansson@goteborg.mail.telia.com
Leg 8 1998, Russell to Auckland, New Zealand
What a great learning adventure!
Your leadership and teaching styles have made this cruise a rewarding
and enjoyable 10 days that have flown by all too quickly. We enjoyed
great friendships with the entire crew!
Dorm and Sandy Anderson, Seattle,
WA
In 1999 Dorm and Sandy purchased a previous expedition members
HR 39, the minute it returned from Tahiti and are now lanning
cruising adventures of their own.
Leg 7 1998 New Caledonia, Norfolk Is., to New Zealand
A spectrum of experiences both emotional
and physical, from the depths of despair & believing bluewater
cruising was not for me to a determined desire to continue forward
and reach my goal of a long-term ocean cruise. John & Amanda
have led the way with a sound foundation in offshore cruising.
With this base I believe my dreams can come true.
Jim Phillips, Michigan
Leg 6 1998 Fiji, Vanuatu,
New Caledonia
Communicating wisdom and insight
with patience and good humor is a talent - what a fine learning
environment you have created!
Mac Felder, North Carolina
Leg 5 1998 Fiji
Thanks for the engine mechanics,
winch maintenance, for letting me go all the way to the top of
the mast. Thanks for the patience and repetition and thank you
most of all for your confidence in me. I'll always remember this
trip.
Ginny Harvey, Woodinville, WA
Ginny and family have outfitted their Amphtrite 43, cruised as
far as Alaska in the summer of 2000 and are next sailing for Mexico.
Leg 4 1998 Samoa to Fiji
Wind, stars, long nights on watch
while sailing the South Pacific, talking, new friends, new situations,
once in a lifetime, that's it!
Martin Striebel, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Leg 3 1998 Rarotonga, Palmerston, Niue, Samoa
This was extremely challenging and
rewarding - it's opened a lot of avenues for thought and discussions
on selecting a vessel, how and where to cruise, and how to prepare.
We also found an untouched tropical island - Niue. A coral gem
to which we will return!
Lois Crandall, San Diego, CA
ljc@genetronics.com
Leg 2 1998 Tahiti to Rarotonga
This was a great learning experience
for me, both about ocean sailing and about myself. It was an excellent
way to sample ocean sailing while seeing some exotic places and
meeting some great new people!
Rick Hill, Bellevue, WA
rickhi@microsoft.com
Rick took delivery of his new HR 36 in 1999 and is cruising northwest
waters.
Leg 1 1998 Auckland to Papeete
Thanks for the gales, for the islands, for rolling down
the trades, for the triathlon, and for the many things you taught
me. This was the real ocean cruising I wanted, plus fun in some
exotic islands. I also really enjoyed the other crew. Sorry about
my cooking.
Brian Knowles
Morris West says it best, "We are all children still
who, even at the gates of midnight dream of sunrise."- The
Navigator.
Thanks for helping me realize my dreams.
Carolyn Aaronson
Carolyn went on to become first mate on a mega yacht voyaging
from Mexico through the South Pacific.
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