Mahina Expeditions conducts sailing and navigation training and expeditions in the South Pacific and offers offshore sailing seminars

WE'RE BACK HOME ON SAN JUAN ISLAND, WASHINGTON AND ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE!

sailing@mahina.com — Thurday, 03 January 2013 10:18:25 PDT

There was a record turnout on Jan. 1st for the 27th Annual Committment Ride and we didn't freeze to death. Amanda has discovered ZUMBA exersize dance classes and we are enjoying kayaking, swimming, yoga and catching up with friends. We're hard at work on some new show and seminars and off to the Toronto, Chicago and Seattle Boat Shows shortly. Hope to meet you at one of the shows, and we wish everyone SMOOTH SAILING AND FOLLOWING SEAS IN 2013!

WE'RE HEADED BACK TO ALASKA IN 2014 AND ARE SETTING SAIL BACK TO SWEDEN IN 2015!

sailing@mahina.com — Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:13:45 PDT

As much as we've always loved the South Pacific, 2013 will be our last full season of South Pacific expeditions. Click HERE for our new 2014 schedule, starting in Auckland and ending in Victoria, Canada or click HERE for our exciting 2015 schedule, starting in Victoria and ending in Sweden. If you are interested in either year, click HERE for our 2005 Log updates (identical passages to 2014) or click HERE for our 2006 updates, similar to our 2015 schedule.

WE LOVE VANUATU!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 17 September 2012 09:55:20 PDT

Cruising here is unbeatable - the friendliness and kindness and crazy sense of humor shown by the ni-Vanuatu people, the non-stop adventure every place we visit and the challenging and never boring sailing all keeps us on our toes. We have already made commitments to three schools and villages to return with more school book and supplies next year and are already planning more adventures and new places to visit. A real bonus for us personally, have been to share our time off in Fiji and Vanuatu with Amanda's folks, Lesley and Robert Swan who sailed up from NZ to meet us in Fiji.

Leg 4 – 2012, Update 1

sailing@mahina.com — Friday, 03 August 2012 10:40:12 PDT

August 1, 2012, 2200 hrs, 13.48 S, 172.10 W, Log: 157,738 miles Baro: 1011.2, Cabin Temp: 85 F cockpit 73 F, sea water 84.5 F Broad reaching @ 6.8 kts with 13 kt SE trade winds, mellow seas SURROUNDED BY ISLANDS AND MOONLIGHT!

WE LOVE OUR NEW RAYMARINE 650 AIS TRANSCIEVER!!!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 21 May 2012 11:00:12 PDT

We are currently 1376 miles out of Auckland and 545 miles from tiny Rurutu, in the Austral Islands 300 mi S of Tahiti and for the first time ever since installing our new AIS transceiver in Auckland, we're passing a ship and have had their confirmation that they can see our AIS signature with our vessel name, call sign, MMSI number, course and speed. The Maersk Bratan is a 730' container ship headed from Panama to Auckland and showed up at 24 miles on our Raymarine C80 radar/chartplotter display. As usual, it was a few minutes until their AIS signal was strong enough for our unit to display their details, but once it did, I called them. The watchstander replied at once and confirmed that he could see all of our information on their screen. What an excellent tool for collision avoidance!

SUPER BONUS FOR LEG 1-2012 EXPEDITION CREW!

sailing@mahina.com — Tuesday, 01 May 2012 12:26:12 PDT

Bob McDavitt, recently retired from MetService NZ and author of MetService Weather Pak will be aboard Mahina Tiare to give our Leg 1 crew an overview how how weather dynamics work in the SW Pacific and to review latest forecast maps for our passage to Tahiti.

HOORAY!! MAHINA TIARE IS BACK IN THE WATER!!!

sailing@mahina.com — Friday, 27 April 2012 13:25:08 PDT

Our current position at anchor inside an extinct volcanic caldera at Rangitoto Island, about nine miles from Westhaven Marina in Auckland.

TWO GORGEOUS GIRLS GRACE THE COVER OF MAY CRUISING WORLD MAGAZINE!

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 18 April 2012 11:44:08 PDT

Molly Gillespie, Leg 2-11 points the way through Huahine's reef aboard Mahina Tiare for our tenth magazine cover shot.

SUPER SUCCESSFUL TIME AT STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC OAKLAND BOAT SHOW!

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 18 April 2012 11:44:08 PDT

Our attendance was up in all seminars, free one-hours plus our all day Offshore Cruising Seminar. We met a ton of sailors ready to buy boats and sail into the sunset and a surprising number setting off later this year.

LEGS 1, 2, 3, 4 & 8 FILLED, SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE ROOM FOR YOU ON LEGS 5, 6 OR 7!

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 18 April 2012 11:44:08 PDT

Email us: sailing@mahina.com if you have any questions.

WE'RE ON OUR WAY BACK TO AUCKLAND TO RECOMMISSION MAHINA TIARE April 18

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 18 April 2012 11:44:08 PDT

We will have internet access at airports along the way and then once we get set up in the boatyard in New Zealand, but I won't be quite as fast as usual replying.

$1000 DISCOUNT FOR FINAL BERTH AVAILABLE ON LEG 2-2012

sailing@mahina.com — Friday, 13 April 2012 10:36:08 PDT

Because of expedition members switching to Leg 2-2013, we now have ONE BERTH AVAILABLE Leg 2 - 2012. Without question, this is the best sailing through the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific: Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Mopelia and ending in MT's homeport of Rarotonga. Leg 2 starts in Tahiti June 12th and ends 900 miles later in Rarotonga on July 3rd. Sailing simply doesn't get any better than this!

$2000 PER COUPLE DISCOUNT ON LEG 2-2012, TAHITI TO RAROTONGA

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 26 March 2012 10:30:02 PDT

Because of expedition members switching to Leg 2-2013, we now have FOUR BERTH AVAILABLE Leg 2 - 2012. Without question, this is the best sailing through the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific: Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Mopelia and ending in MT's homeport of Rarotonga. Leg 2 starts in Tahiti June 12th and ends 900 miles later in Rarotonga on July 3rd. Sailing simply doesn't get any better than this!

MARCH 3 SEATTLE OFFSHORE CRUISING SEMINAR A BIG HIT!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 05 March 2012 12:24:24 PST

What an excellent Seattle seminar we just had! Attendance was up 30% over last year and four couples are departing THIS SUMMER!!! for points south. Nealy half of our attendees were from Canada and several from Calgary and Edmonton. Marine Surveyor Matt Harris did an excellent job of telling us what to look out for when selecting a boat and PJ Baker, just back from a 14 month Seattle to South Pacific and back cruise with husband Brad and two young sons shared what it was like to take off for the first time on a cruise she and Brad had dreamed about and planned for 15 years.

STRICTLY SAIL MIAMI BOAT SHOW AND SURPRISE FT. LAUDERDALE VISIT VERY EXCITING!

sailing@mahina.com — Tuesday, 21 February 2012 11:24:49 PST

The opportunity to watch and photograph the survey and go for a test sail with a consultation client on the Manta 42 cat that they had made an offer on, plus the chance to see the first day of the Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show proved irrespirable, so Amanda and I accompanied Pete McGonagle to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this week. We had the opportunity to interview and photograph several boatyards, make connection with a new buyer's broker whom we will be referring selected clients to and generally learn much more about resources available in South FL for our Boat Selection Consultation clients. Also, very importantly, we had the chance to go aboard, photograph and speak with boatyard owners or reps of Antares, Catana, Seawind, Leopard, St. Francis and Knyssna catamarans, plus meet with the Jachney's and view the latest (and excellent) Hylas yachts. A real bonus was meeting Stan and Sylvia Dabney, founders of Valiant Yachts whom I had last seen in 1976 when they had just started Valiant Yachts.

CHICAGO BOAT SHOW AND SEMINAR TOTAL SUCCESS!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 30 January 2012 12:23:25 PST

Our seminars were packed but most exciting thing of all was to meet several people who attended last year's Offshore Cruising Seminar and are now on their own boats cruising or just waiting for their homes to sell so they can head for warmer water.

BAXTER, MOLLY AND KALA HAVING WAAAY TOO MUCH FUN IN THE BAHAMAS!!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 30 January 2012 12:23:25 PST

Swimming pigs that come out to your boat for food scraps when you call them, snorkeling in sunken airliners; you gotta check this out! Baxter and Molly were Boat Purchase Consultation clients (they ended up purchasing a very tidy and quite well equipped Tartan 37) and joined us on a very exciting Leg 2-11. Shortly after returning from Rarotonga, they set sail south from North Carolina and are now in the Bahamas seriously having too much fun! This is what it is all about - you don't have to sail around the world to get away and have an amazing adventure.

WE LOVE TORONTO!!!

sailing@mahina.com — Thursday, 19 January 2012 12:08:15 PST

Our first ever visit to the Toronto International Boat Show was fantastic! Several of our seminars were standing room only with keen sailors lining the aisles, doorways and sitting on the floor. The show is HUGE compared to any indoors US shows, and the audience amazingly keen on setting out on their own long-distance sailing adventures. I think being surrounded by cold and snow for half the year may have a lot to do with that. We are currently working out details on a totally-new mini Mahina Offshore Seminar for the 2012 Toronto Boat Show!

STRICTLY SAIL CHICAGO STARTS JAN. 26, AND WE ARE PACKING UP AND EXCITED!

sailing@mahina.com — Thursday, 19 January 2012 12:08:15 PST

Our seminar registrations are coming in steadily and we are looking forward to having Jimmy Cornell as a co-presenter (along with Pete McGongale) for the first time in nearly ten years. We will also be presenting several free seminars Thursday and Friday, Jan 26 & 27 before our all-day Offshore Cruising Seminar on Sat., Jan. 28.

WE CAN'T BEAR LEAVING THE SOUTH PACIFIC JUST YET

sailing@mahina.com — Thursday, 19 January 2012 12:08:15 PST

Although we said in this column that we would start heading back to Europe in 2013, we had such a wonderful season last year that we've decided to make another similar season in the South Pacific in 2013. Part of our reasoning is that we are hoping Amanda's parents, Robert and Lesley will sail up to meet us in Fiji for the third time in the ex-Sunsail Beneteau 432 they just purchased in Tahiti and sailed home to New Zealand.

AT LEAST THREE SETS OF EXPEDITION GRADUATES ARE NOW AT SEA ENROUTE TO OPUA, NEW ZEALAND!

sailing@mahina.com — Friday, 13 January 2012 10:26:35 PST

We're looking forward to a mini-Mahina Expeditions graduates reunion once we reach Opua, NZ on our final expedition of 2011. Jim & Katie Thomson aboard Tenaya report flying along at 7.5 kts with just a couple days to go aboard their gorgeous HR 40. We enjoyed seeing them in Vanuatu earlier this season. We heard yesterday from Beth and Norm Cooper aboard their Saga 43 were making 8 kts with just two days to go aboard Sarah Jean, their Saga 43. On top of that, we just heard from Neil Scott, aboard his Island Packet 44 is just leaving Fiji for Opua and should arrive about the same time we do. We are hoping to share a meal and introduce them to our intrepid Leg 8 crew.

LEG 8, 2011 UPDATE 2

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 28 November 2011 13:27:25 PST

November 10, 2011, 0250 hrs, 35.10 S, 174.08 E, Log: 152,981 miles Baro: 1018.1, Cabin Temp: 71 F cockpit 61 F, sea water 65.8 F Beam reaching at 7 kts in 13 kt SSE winds, totally flat seas and clear skies with a full moon! Single-reefed main and geona BAY OF ISLANDS, NZ, HERE WE COME!

JIMMY CORNELL TO SPEAK AT OUR CHICAGO AND OAKLAND OFFSHORE CRUISING SEMINARS!

sailing@mahina.com — Tuesday, 14 November 2011 9:37:25 PST

It's been several years since Jimmy was a co-presenter at our seminars, and we are really looking forward to his joining us for these two seminars. He will have copies of his new Cruising Atlas which will have it's US debut at the Chicago show.

LEG 8 UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 07 November 2011 10:32:25 PST

November 5, 2011, 0620 hrs, 30.41 S, 162.04 E, Log: 152,343 miles Baro: 1020.7, Cabin Temp: 71 F cockpit 69 F, sea water 69.6 F Close reaching at 8.1 kts in 14 kt SSE winds, nearly flat seas and clear skies Single-reefed main, full geona EXCEPTIONALLY FAST AND FINE SAILING TOWARD NEW ZEALAND!

AT LEAST THREE SETS OF EXPEDITION GRADUATES ARE NOW AT SEA ENROUTE TO OPUA, NEW ZEALAND!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 27 October 2011 10:00:25 PST

We're looking forward to a mini-Mahina Expeditions graduates reunion once we reach Opua, NZ on our final expedition of 2011. Jim & Katie Thomson (http://www.mahina.com/leg07/1.html) aboard Tenaya (www.tenayatravels.com) report flying along at 7.5 kts with just a couple days to go aboard their gorgeous HR 40. We enjoyed seeing them in Vanuatu earlier this season. We heard yesterday from Beth and Norm Cooper (http://www.mahina.com/leg09/5.html)aboard their Saga 43 were making 8 kts with just two days to go aboard Sarah Jean, their Saga 43 (http://www.sailblogs.com/member/sarahjean2/). On top of that, we just heard from Neil Scott, (http://www.mahina.com/leg08/1.html) aboard his Island Packet 44 is just leaving Fiji for Opua and should arrive about the same time we do. We are hoping to share a meal and introduce them to our intrepid Leg 8 crew.

LEG 7 UPDATE 2

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 13 October 2011 10:16:25 PST

October 9, 2011, 2000 hrs, 26.33 S, 154 13 E, Log: 151,693 miles Baro: 1011, Cabin Temp: 74 F cockpit 74 F, sea water 77 F Close reaching at 7.1 kts in 14 kt NW winds, flat seas, clear skies and nearly full moon Full main and geona HEAVE AWAY, HAUL AWAY, WE'RE BOUND FOR AUSTRALIA!

LEG 7 ITINERARY

sailing@mahina.com — Tuesday, 11 October 2011 11:07:45 PST

Leg 7 Itinerary has been posted.

LEG 6 UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Friday, 30 September 2011 11:20:45 PST

September 17, 2011 2200 hrs, 20.49 S, 167.36 E, Log: 150,747 miles Baro: 1021, Cabin Temp: 71 F cockpit 74 F, sea water 77 F Close reaching at 7.9 kts in 16 kt SE winds, moderate seas Double-reefed mainsail and triple-reefed genoa HOORAY, WE'VE JUST EASED SHEETS AND MAHINA TIARE IS CHARGING ALONG!

LEG 5 UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 12 September 2011 11:47:45 PST

September 2, 2011 0700 hrs, 20.11 S, 170.04 E, Log: 150,347 miles Baro: 1019, Cabin Temp: 77 F cockpit 74 F, sea water 78.3 F Broad reaching at 7.4 kts in 15 kt SE winds, moderate seas ADVENTURES WAITING ON THE HORIZON! Our 13 days between Legs 4 & 5 were a treasure. We are convinced that Fiji has to be one of the best tropical cruising destinations in the world. After our saying goodbyes to our excellent Leg 4 crew the following day we headed to Lautoka by taxi to reprovision then set sail for one of our favorite spots on the planet, Musket Cove on Malololailai Island. We anchored in the same spot and walked the same beach where we were married by a sulu-wearing Fijian minister in 1998, between Legs 4 & 5. We scheduled 13 days off this year between Legs 4 & 5 and not only did we get Mahina Tiare in top shape, we had time for trail running, kayaking, swimming and visiting with our Fijian friends and cruisers. Life just doesn't get any better!

WE LOVE FIJI!!!

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 24 August 2011 14:57:45 PST

This has to be the best tropical cruising destination in the world, and we are delighted to be back, anchored in the same spot and walking on the exact same beach at Musket Cove, Malololailai Island where we were married by a sulu-wearing Fijian minister in 1998, between Legs 4 & 5. We scheduled 13 days off this year between Legs 4 & 5 and not only are we getting Mahina Tiare in top shape, we've had time for trail running, kayaking, swimming and visiting with our Fijian friends and cruisers. Life just doesn't get any better!

2011 SEASON IS NOW SOLD OUT

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 24 August 2011 14:57:45 PST

Wait lists are now forming for Legs 7 & 8.

LEG 4-2011 UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Friday, 19 August 2011 12:26:25 PST

August 7, 2011, 1610 hrs, 13.52 S, 177.00 W, Log: 149,370 miles Baro: 1010.4, Cabin Temp: 84 F cockpit: 81.1F, sea water: 84.7 F Broad reaching at 8.4 kts in 25-35 kt ESE winds with occasional squalls. Main and jib both triple reefed, substantial seas. Rockin’ and Rollin’ Our Way Toward Fiji!

LEG 4 - ITINERARY

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 08 August 2011 12:26:25 PST

Samoa to Fiji Expedition Itineary Posted

LEG 3 - UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Wednesday, 27 July 2011 11:21:25 PST

July 13, 2011, 0440 hrs, 19.12 S, 169.49 W, Log: 148,364 miles Baro: 1017.4, Cabin Temp: 79 F cockpit 76 F, sea water 84.4 F Broad reaching at 3.4 kts in 9.5 kt E winds, clear skies with nearly a full moon NIUE ISLAND AHEAD!

ONLY ONE BERTH LEFT ON LEG 7 BEFORE OUR ENTIRE 2011 SEASON IS SOLD OUT!

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 11 July 2011 11:21:25 PST

This passage from Noumea, New Caledonia to Brisbane, Australia is an excellent one if you're looking for serious offshore experience and don't mind a bit of weather.

2012 EXPEDITIONS FILLING UNUSUALLY EARLY

sailing@mahina.com — Monday, 11 July 2011 11:21:25 PST

We've just received five applications for 2012 expeditions in three days and now Leg 1 is sold out and Leg 2 & 4 each have just one berth available. We're not sure what to attribute these early bird applications to - possibly our series of articles that have been appearing in Australian Yachting, as we're having more Aussies than ever apply.

KIA ORANA FROM RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS!

sailing@mahina.com — Thurs, 07 JULY 2011 10:26:25 PST

We're off to a great start for our 21st season of expeditions, and are nearly ready to start Leg 3 this Friday. We've had the best weather we can remember in 35 years with hardly a squall and the fewest hours spent motoring ever. The exciting thing about this year is how many of our expedition members have either broken the start of a cruise on their just-purchased boat to join us, or are going home to pick up a new boat and set sail on the cruise of their dreams. Now that IS exciting - watching expedition members gaining skills, making notes, taking pictures - all information that they will apply to their own boats.

LEG 2, 2011 EXPEDITIONS, UPDATE 2

sailing@mahina.com — Wed, 05 JULY 2011 09:55:15 PST

June 27, 2011, 0530 hrs, 16.49 S, 153.55 W, Log: 147,345 miles
Baro: 1013.1, Cabin Temp: 78 F cockpit 76 F, sea water 83.4 F
At anchor, Mopelia Atoll (250 mi W of Tahiti). Our 100 mile overnight passage from Maupiti to Mopelia...

LEG 2, 2011 EXPEDITIONS, UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Fri, 24 JUNE 2011 12:37:15 PST

May 30, 2011, 0530 hrs, 16.49 S, 151.25 W, Log: 147,099 miles Baro: 1012.7, Cabin Temp: 78 F cockpit 76 F, sea water 83.9 F At anchor, Baie Faaroa, Raiatea (130 mi W of Tahiti) SURROUNDED BY BEAUTY!

LEG 1, 2011 EXPEDITIONS, UPDATE 3

sailing@mahina.com — Tues, 31 May 2011 12:37:15 PST

May 30, 2011, 1800 hrs, 17.30 S, 149.49 W, Log: 146,905 miles Baro: 1013.5, Cabin Temp: 80 F cockpit 73 F, sea water 82.8 F At anchor, Cook's Bay, Moorea WHAT A FINISH!

LEG 1, 2011 EXPEDITIONS, UPDATE 2

sailing@mahina.com — Tues, 31 May 2011 12:37:15 PST

May 20, 2011, 1400 hrs, 28.41 S, 160.03 W, Log: 145,878 miles Baro: 1014.6, Cabin Temp: 73 F cockpit 81 F, sea water 73 F W winds 27 - 40 kts, seas 12' with swell Close reaching at 7 kts under triple-reefed main and just 30% of genoa NOW THESE ARE THE SOUTHERN OCEAN CONDITIONS WE EXPECTED!

LEG 1, 2011 EXPEDITIONS, UPDATE 1

sailing@mahina.com — Tues, 11 May 2011 12:37:15 PST

May 16, 2011, 1500 hrs, 32.27 S, 170.17 E, Log: 145,299 miles Baro: 1014.6, Cabin Temp: 73 F cockpit 81 F, sea water 71 F W winds 18-20 kts, 6' crossed swell Broad reaching at 7.4 kts under full sail. ARE WE IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN?

BUY LOW IN THE U.S., SELL HIGH IN AUSTRALIA!

sailing@mahina.com — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:47:15 PST

Patricia and Jack Tyler are cruising friends of mine dating back 30 years when they organized the Albin Vega 27 owner's association. We met them in 2010 in New Caledonia, and they said they were considering selling Whoosh, their very tidy Pearson 424 once they reached Brisbane, Australia. Sell her they did, and for a price considerably higher than they could have if they sailed Whoosh 9,000 miles to windward back to the US. They have agreed to let us post their in-depth analysis of why it makes sense to sail downwind to Australia, and sell your cruising boat there. Incidentally, this is what I did 30 years ago; I sold Mahina Tiare I in Noumea and delivered her to Brisbane with the new owner aboard.

NEARLY READY TO SET SAIL FOR TAHITI!

sailing@mahina.com — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:18:45 PST

What a blur the last 13 days has been! We arrived in Auckland to find Mahina Tiare clean and dry under her full-boat cover and quickly set to work packing the cover before forecasted deluges arrived. Our first priority was to get our baby girl ready to launch, and here's a list of what we accomplished:

STRICTLY SAIL PACIFIC BOAT SHOW AND SEMINARS A ROARING SUCCESS!!!

sailing@mahina.com — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:19:28 PST

With sunny weather, record seminar crowds and very cool boats, gear and parties, this was an unforgettable blur! Our brand new Diesel Engine Essentials freebie seminar was totally packed and we are already refining and improving it for next year.