Updated May 9, 2008
Latest News
HOORAY - MAHINA TIARE IS SAFELY RELAUNCHED AND NOW BACK IN HORTA!
After a mamouth effort in the boatyard and marina on Terceira, we set sail yesterday at 0600, covering the 85 miles Horta, our Leg 1 starting port in 12 hours. We had planned on taking another day or two in preparation for the passage, but forecasted high swells and wind encouraged us to depart Tuesday. Horta Marina assigned us one of only three available slips, and the one with the least surge, so Amanda has already started removing lifelines, stanchions and rubstrakes getting ready for sanding and varnishing.
For our arriving Leg 1 crew members, Mahina Tiare is in Berth #4 not far from the ferry docks in the "old marina", the southern part.
You're welcome to drop by the boat once you arrive in Horta (particularly if you are bringing spare parts!) to let us know you made it safely.
ALL 2008 LEGS EXCEPT FOR LEG 4, SWEDEN TO ENGLAND ARE NOW SOLD OUT!
2008 has broken all records for legs selling out early. We are getting a steady flow of top quality applications from sailors worldwide looking to develop offshore sailing skills. If you have any questions regarding Leg 4, just email us: sailing@mahina.com or call us on 360-378-6131 and we'll get an answer to you ASAP. Our job is simple (and exciting!): to help you realize your dreams of cruising the world on your own boat.
LEG 4-2008 OFFERS TREMENDOUS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Leg 4 departs from Ellos, a 40 min. bus ride N of Gothenberg, from Hallberg-Rassy's marina. There are more high quality cruising boatyards located within a 20 minute drive here than anywhere else in the world. We have arranged for a private tour of the HR yard for Leg 4 expedition members, and if you arrive a day early, we can help you with arrangements to also tour Malo where our seminar co-presenter Nigel Calder will be just launching his second new 48' Malo, Najad, Regina of Vindo and Farr Pilothouse yachts. After some intricate navigating through tight, rocky channels, we'll blast off towards Denmark, stopping at least a couple of gorgeous park-like islands before exploring an interesting group of small islands just N of Kiel, which several European friends have told us are unbeatable. Germany's Kiel Canal provides a near mirror experience to transiting the Panama Canal, and the North Sea crossing to England, with a possible stop in Holland provides the most challenging navigation and traffic experience of any Mahina Expeditions leg ever. We look forward to exploring some new ports along England's SE coast before ending Leg 4 in Brighton, the quintessential English seaside town, and just a short train ride from Heathrow Airport. Click HERE to read our account of the same leg in 2007 and email us at sailing@mahina.com if you have any questions.
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WHAT WOMEN REALLY WANT AND HOW THEY MAKE IT HAPPEN:
READ AMANDA'S NEW FOUR-PART SERIES PUBLISHED IN CRUISING WORLD, click here
 EXPEDITION MEMBERS & CONSULTATION CLIENTS NEW BOAT LEAVES HALLBERG-RASSY YARD ENROUTE TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA!
Anne Reeckmann and Gary Holmes who sailed with us in the South Pacific have both just retired from the oil industry in Texas and must be ecstatic to learn their spanking new HR 43 is on it's way to meeting them at their new home and cruising ground in Australia!
2009 OFFSHORE CRUISING SEMINAR DATES AND LOCATIONS SET
April 18, 2009: San Francisco Airport Holiday Inn (North)
April 25, 2009: Seattle Airport Radisson
WELCOME MICHAEL HENRICHS, MAHINA EXPEDITIONS DESIGNATED TRAVEL AGENT OF CHOICE
 Michael is a sailor and manager of Doug Fox Travel North Seattle office which handles much of the international travel for University of Washington. Open six days a week, 8:30-6:00 weekdays, 10-3 Saturdays (Pacific time), Michael's toll free number is 1-877-429-5787 and his email address is: michael.henrichs@dougfoxtravel.com. He has traveled to many of the countries we sail to and we are working closely with him to ensure smoothest possible airline and hotel bookings for expedition members.
We don't receive compensation from travel agents, but we have found it helpful having a dedicated agent who understands our specific needs (expedition members must be in port of joining at least 24 hours early, and must not book return tickets before 2PM on final day of expedition). Many times Michael will offer a lower price than available on the internet by using a travel wholesaler. An additional advantage is if your airline changes your return ticket while you are aboard, Michael will alert us via email.
 MAHINA TIARE IS A COVER GIRL AGAIN, FOR THE SIXTH TIME!
March 2008 issue of Blue Water Sailing features MT on the cover and an excellent article by Ken Appleton detailing our Arctic adventures on Leg 2-2007.
The April issue of BWS has our grounding and bloody chin accident story. Click HERE for the story!
BOAT SELECTION CONSULTATION SERVICE CURRENTLY FOCUSSING ON MODESTLY-PRICED BOATS
It seems to go in trends, but currently all of my consultation clients have boat purchase budgets in the $100-150K range. There are several very good designs available currently in the price range, but we baby boomers are making this a seller's market since so many are interested in offshore sailing adventures just now. Let me know when you're ready to start looking for your own offshore cruising boat - I'm ready to help you! Contact: john@mahina.com.
MANY MORE SATISFIED BOAT PURCHASE CONSULTATION CLIENTS HAVE FOUND THEIR DREAM BOATS!
I am pleased to provide a reference for John Neal’s cruising boat consultation service. My wife and I used John’s services to help select our new performance bluewater cruising boat, a Saga 43 we have named Sarah Jean II. READ MORE
CHANGE OF PLANS FOR 2010!
Previously, we planned to sail from Auckland to Alaska and end our 2010 expeditions in Victoria, Canada and then sell Mahina Tiare. We've decided that we're enjoying this waaay too much to stop now, so our new 2010 schedule has Mahina Tiare returning to the wild and beautiful islands of Vanuatu where we hope to again conduct dental clinics among the Small Namba tribespeople of Malekula island. We will also hope to make our first ever visit to the isolated Loyalty Islands while enroute to Noumea, New Caledonia and weather permitting, stop at Norfolk Island on our passage down to New Zealand. Click here to view our new and ambitious 2010 schedule.
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2008 LOOKS LIKE OUR MOST INTERNATIONAL YEAR EVER OF EXPEDITION MEMBERS!
At present we have expedition members joining us from Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Bermuda, England, Canada and the U.S. That is a record to date! We always enjoy the diversity of different backgrounds and cultures and look forward to even more international applications!
ANOTHER SATISFIED BOAT PURCHASE CONSULTATION CLIENT FINDS HIS DREAM BOAT!
Click here for the details!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR NEW NAUTICAL TERMINOLOGY TEST.
We welcome suggestions for additional terms to include on the test, and we invite expedition members to study this (the answers are in your Expedition Companion books sent out before you join us) in preparation for joining Mahina Tiare.
WE AREN'T LOOKING FOR EXPERT SAILORS, JUST INTERMIDIATE SAILORS WHO REALLY WANT TO GAIN OFFSHORE VOYAGING SKILLS!
Recently we've received emails from several people who didn't think they had enought experience to apply for an expedition, even though they have certainly had more than intermediate sailing skills.
THE MOST IMPORTANT TRAITS WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN APPLICANT ARE:
the ability to get along well with others in challenging environments
the willingness to give 100% in all situations
the desire to learn everything possible about offshore sailing
a personal committment to a healthy and active lifestyle
We find that if you are outgoing, enjoy making new friends and experiencing different cultures you will be a positive asset to our crew.
BOAT CONSULTATION SERVICE IN FULL SWING!
With clients in Japan, Australia, Russia, Canada and the U.S. we have been kept busy on night watches at sea helping potential offshore cruisers sort through the many boats available to find the best suited vessel for their cruising plans and budget.
We have had six clients purchase boats within the past two months, three new boats, and three used boats with budgets between $40,000 and $1 million.
If want unbiased, experienced and honest advice, based on 31 years and 230,000 miles of experience, click on the Boat Consultation button on the top right corner of our homepage for more details, or email me: john@mahina.com.
The fee for this service is $350 for as long as it takes.
LINDA & MIKE DAWKINS, LEG 8, 2003 EXPEDITION MEMBERS ARE LIVING THEIR DREAM! read more!
MAHINA EXPEDITIONS GETS STRONG REVIEWS FROM A CORPORATE CONSULTANT/TEAM BUILDER!
Read the article here: http://www.etdalliance.com/wie_inaction.html?art=5"
CAN TESTING MAKE YOU A BETTER SAILOR?
We think it can increase retention of valuable skills and information, at the least. Our expedition tests started with a single page covering the following:
*Overboard Rescue (including individual hands-on demonstration)
*Abandon Ship Equipment (including physically inventorying each our our three containers)
*Liferaft Deployment (including a video and physically lifting our raft out of it's cradle on deck)
*Bilge Pumps: location, operations and alarms
*Hoisting the main, reefing (including individual time trials), dropping the main, shaking out a reef
*Wind speeds for reefing, upwind and downwind
The first test proved so successful at getting expedition members focused on learning and retaining key information we have added the following individual tests, each given the morning following the presentation of the subject:
Marine Weather (includes drawing different key weather symbols)
Diesel Engines (following our engine class and video)
Anchoring (includes drawing diagrams of each technique discussed)
Storm Tactics (includes hands-on deployment of warp and drogue as well as drawing each tactic discussed)
Sails and Rigging (includes utilizing our Pfaff 130 machine to make a sail repair)
MAHINA EXPEDITIONS REQUIRED BY TOP INSURANCE CARRIER FOR SOME CRUISERS APPLYING FOR OFFSHORE INSURANCE
Each of the major international insurance carriers (Lloyds, Pantaneius, Blue Water, IMIS) recognizes that completing one our our expeditions with intensive, focussed training makes you a much better risk,and we hear from previous expedition members of discounts as much as 40% on offshore insurance premiums. For the first time however, one of the very best insurers, Al Golden,owner of International Marine Services is specifically recommending Mahina Expeditions to clients with limited offshore experience who are hoping to be accepted into his very selective and most highly rated Jackline Insurance Program. Jackline is the first and only "A" rated US underwritten program that includes worldwide navigation for crews of two or more. www.IMIScorp.net.
CONCERNED ABOUT SEASICKNESS DURING HIGH SEAS EXPEDITIONS?
If so, click here for our latest addition, an overview of what really works for preventing and treating seasickness.
CAN COMPLETING A PASSAGE ABOARD MAHINA TIARE BE A CATALYST FOR CHANGE AND ADVENTURE? Read more here!
HOW TO ORDER AMANDA'S BOOK
 "The Essential Galley Companion"
Recipes and Provisioning Advice For Your Boating Adventures
Whether you're a weekend
boater or preparing for an extended voyage or perhaps traveling
by RV, this book presents essential and concise information on:
- Stowage, food preparation and cooking in a small space
- Adaptable and versatile recipes for worldwide travel
- Delicious, healthy and easy-to-prepare meals
- Catching, preparing and cooking fish
- Cooking in heavy weather and preventing seasickness
- International medical and health concerns
- Avoiding disasters and frustration in the galley
Amanda has included over 375 recipes drawn from her 125,000 boating miles, experience as a professional chef and overland journeys in 50 countries. The Essential Galley Companion
redefines the traditional concept of boating cuisine with an
intriguing collection of 375 international recipes and galley
advice interwoven with tales of personal adventure.
"The Essential Galley Companion is the most useful, authoritative
and entertaining galley book published in a long time."
-Dan Spurr, editor, Practical Sailor
"Everything you could
ever want to know about provisioning and cooking on a boat, a
seagoing Joy of Cooking. The Essential Galley Companion will
help you cut those dock lines and go cruising - for a week-end
or a year."
-Steve and Linda Dashew, author of Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia
$29.95 plus tax
Credit cards or checks accepted
To order this
book Call or fax us with your Credit Card number:
tel. 360-378-6131 · fax 360-378-6331
or send a check to: P.O. Box 1596 · Friday Harbor ·
WA 98250 USA
Or email us at : sailing@mahina.com
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