The Final Passage! Sailing to New Zealand in a 36-foot Beneteau- Ep 43

After a year and a half at sea we finally set sail for the last time to complete our journey home to New Zealand. We leave Bora Bora in our wake and encounter our most challenging sail. Join us for some scary moments, some beautiful scenes, and a couple of tears.
Music by bensound.com & Epidemic Sound

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Well done. Im just around the corner from you!

[@itsmePassportBro]

Old Sea dog... hi. There... can you believe you have 80k subscribeRs and this sailing barrackas home only 10k subscribers

[@jasonworles9395]

Well that was more emotional than I thought it would be. So glad you're home. I've lived vicariously through your travels while isolating.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Jason! I must admit I had a few tears editing this episode. All the best!

[@JMan-24]

You will be missed, like losing a family member that we have never really met. We have thoroughly enjoyed your channel!!! Thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@liongod1000]

@@sailingbacchushome944 *_ Great vlog! Oh, had a little laugh at **27:46** about enlisting an Ozzie by the name of BRUCE..... Ha Ha.. he wouldn't be an Oz if his name wasn't Bruce! (Think Monty Python) _*

[@pauljamison3340]

I sailed from NewZealand to circumnavigate 20 years ago. I got as far as the UK sold the yacht and I’m still here. I bought another Yacht 12 months ago which needs a bit of work so will be leaving here in 18 months to complete the slowest circumnavigation ever !!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

This is awesome! Fair winds ⛵️

[@georgeroach7499]

That was a really enjoyable 57 minutes and 5 seconds. Thank you guys for great entertainment and adventure. Have a great Life guys and thanks for the sunshine you brought into my life as I followed your adventures..

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Haha thanks George, it was a pretty long one wasn’t it. My first edit was actually 1 hour 20 minutes 🤦🏼‍♀️ glad you enjoyed it and thanks for tuning in!

[@marleneb.455]

So glad you made it home safely. I got tears in my eyes watching when you spotted New Zealand in the distance.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

A pretty emotional moment that’s for sure!

[@pf1133]

I've binged watched over the last week from the beginning, while in lockdown. I was almost teary eyed seeing ye arrive into New Zealand. A great adventure and achievement. Thank you for sharing it.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Cheers pal!

[@BarracudaHawk]

Huge congratulations Guys, you should be very proud of what you’ve achieved. Great team work supporting each other through thick and thin. Job well done. You’ll be out on the ocean again I’m sure!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you! And yes, we will be for sure 💙

[@shelleyhale3039]

Welcome home. Thanks for letting us tag along on your adventure. It’s been fun.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks for tagging along!

[@lindarothchild5479]

It was a very emotional, very long, sometimes very scary sail HOME. So glad you are there safe. It was wonderful to watch and now to know that you are going to continue on with videos as you become land lubbers and home owners. Dani congratulations on your job in New Zealand and Asher so sorry Droney took that final dive. I'm looking forward to more of the Kiwi saga. Don't stop.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Linda!

[@geoffruncie2473]

What an adventure - great outcome! Loved every minute with you both - kept me nearly sane through Covid. Hope you realise all your dreams back in NZ. Thank you for letting me come with you. Safe home, Geoff, Ayrshire, Scotland

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Geoff, glad to have you along for the ride. All the best!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Geoff, glad to have you along for the ride. All the best!

[@theosphilusthistler712]

Welcome home. Just realised something. We kiwis of a few generations we have one thing in common. All of our forebears had the balls to do that voyage, some by the possibly worse Indian Ocean route, and many without the services of Bruce.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

You’re right. We spent many hours out there thinking about the explorers navigating those waters generations ahead of us. They were so brave and so talented. Miraculous really!

[@ThulaSailing]

Loved seeing you...Finally we could watch your final crossing video, yay! Wow, that was an emotional passage with some ugly parts. Good job! Much salty love from the not so Germans who will miss you even more when entering Shelter Bay Marina.

[@tophatter15]

Bloody brilliant!! Well done and done well!, 🍷🍷🌹🌹

[@petertorrey4080]

Those last sunset shots were very nice. The chest hair will be not be missed...but..never forgotten!😊

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Hahaha long live the chest hair!

[@mcouture8169]

This very much would translate into a mini-series on PBS here in the States. The photography, production, story telling, and editing have been simply outstanding. I'm sure what's been cut out in editing could present another side of the 18 month adventure ;) Simply one of my favorite shows/channels ever. Cheers to you both and to the other nearly 10k subscribers who were blessed enough to stumble upon this chapter of your life's story.

[@PaulBC1981]

All your videos have been so enjoyable to watch, you two are awesome together and What a feeling finishing up in BOI. Makes me proud to be a kiwi.

[@Guido62]

Congratulations on getting Bacchus home.! Thanks so much Dani & Asher, really enjoyed your whole adventure during this C19 craziness. Great videos all the way through and credit to you both for putting so much hard work in to producing every episode.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Cheers Guy, thanks for watching!

[@tusker4954]

Well done! A fantastic achievement. You've give hours of brilliant entertainment. Thank you!

[@kristianperkins5834]

1. That was very emotional. What a journey its been. 2. Nothing is as pure and as respectful as when you lost the drone. You're first thing to be upset about was that it's more junk in the ocean. Not the fact of the money. 3. Good luck in your future lives.

[@mehmetakgunkoral4545]

I was literally reduced to tears at the end of this lovely video. What an amazing adventure it has been to both of you, thanking you so much for sharing it as much as you could. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your lives.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you! All the best!

[@sandycole5875]

I have loved watching all your episodes

[@kevinmolloy2295]

It’s been great watching your journey. Wish you all the best in the future. Thanks.

[@massimolucamattioli5236]

Great footage and compliments, both of you, for temperament and style.

[@garymeyers2822]

What a trip. Thanks for bring us along....

[@John-ps7mk]

glad you had a safe journey. very special to see your raise and Cora accompany you in NZ.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Cheers John!

[@shipwreckscuba2651]

That was a cracking end. Well done guys. You sure did lockdown the right way. Lived it vicariously whilst in lockdown not to far from Brighton!!! All the best.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Yay for the South Coast 🙌🏻 thanks for tuning in Stu!

[@marshallleicht7564]

What a great adventure..thanks for sharing..know it will be hard to say goodbye to your 361 who has served you so well..We loved ours, but I had no I idea she would hit a boat speed of 18 knots surfing a wave in a storm..amazing !..would love a peek at that 100 year old boat..best of luck !

[@sailingbacchushome944]

So tough to say goodbye, she’s been such a great boat ( and speedy 😉 💨)

[@stony7827]

I say thank you very much that I was allowed to accompany this trip. One thing is certain: you two will be very missing in the sailing community. It's a shame that the drone fell into the water, but it has worked very well up to this point! All the best and my best regards from Austria

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks for coming along on the journey!

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

Enjoyed your videos of heavy wind and seas. Your courage is inspiring. Hope to see you back on the water some day.

[@johnmurray7559]

Just loved, loved loved, your massive journey, your insights, your honesty and integrity! I have a 393 and just planning a short 400 nm trip (first time). Your series has inspired me that my buddy and I can really do this thing!

[@SEAMASTERHELLAS]

I ve watched all your videos. Well done and you must know that you’re so lucky to make your dream become true, as other can’t achieve. Well done again and I wish you to catch your dreams and make them real. Best regards from the beautiful Greece ( other side of the world) and from a person involved with the sea almost 45 years, but with motor yachts

[@dirtcorps]

Such an amazing journey you've been on, and taken us along with you. It was very moving seeing you raise the NZ courtesy flag I must say... got a little misty eyed. And the icing on the cake to have family escort in to port! WOW. A huge tēnā kōrua to you! Going to miss you guys.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Cheers Matt. It was such an incredible and emotional last day coming into the Bay of Islands. Quite surreal really. Thanks for joining us!

[@jonboyle326]

i loved the complete coverage its so good that there are the bruces out there it was the perfect homecoming with the out boat showing you the way home

[@tuskybristler4321]

18 knots!! That's outrageous!! Fastest I've ever heard of a production boat moving let alone surfing down large waves!! Soo lucky no rogues came through,although you could always deploy a drogue they seem to work a treat,epic video, good on you two

[@dalsie105]

Congratulations to you both great adventure. I'm still catching up with some of your old videos having only just come across your channel. Cheers from the UK

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Enjoy!

[@susierogers6952]

very emotional reunion! Awesome guys xox

[@nukz99]

What a fabulous video to finish that chapter on guys - a fitting end to a massive achievement!! You've managed (as with the rest of the series) to honestly capture the highs and lows, the drama and emotion, together with those beautiful quiet moments too. Even those 'mundane' bits of teamwork, maintenance and metereology that really are so important to 'getting there' are reflected! I'm sure it was pretty emotional putting this particular one together (not least given the timing of saying goodbye to Bacchus too!), but what a fabulous diary you have made. I hope you are really proud of yourselves for doing such a good job.. both for the legacy it provides for yourself and for us all to enjoy and learn from. It's been great sharing the journey with you! Love and hugs Paul, Sue and Mili xxwoof

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Awww guys. This made my eyes all misty reading. I’m so glad we met you guys in Tenerife and the many ports afterwards. One of the best and most surprising outcomes of this trip was all the incredible people we met along the way doing a similar thing to us and helping us when we were at a loose end (and drinking copious amounts of rum when required). Thanks for being awesome. The door will always be open whenever you’re up in the Bay of Islands. We will miss you! Xx

[@robinacjohnston]

A fantastic sight after 18 months. Been great to follow along. Many thanks for posting

[@brianpearson9244]

Wow!!!! Welcome home ,going to miss your Blogs ⛵⛵⛵👍

[@jonathonduhring8245]

What a beautiful ending to such an amazing story.well done,what an achievement 👍👍👍👍👍

[@scottgenius9189]

Well done Guy's awesome journey awesome yacht 🌹

[@oleknarberg4417]

Job well done, guys! Loved every minute of your videos. I sincerely hope for a season 2! Whatever you choose to do with your lives, I wish you health and happiness!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Ole! We hope there will be a season 2 also! Take care 🙂

[@CactusSailing]

Thanks for sharing your adventure, I’m glad to have found your channel at the beginning, good luck in whatever you do next and hopefully we will follow in your wake one day!

[@kytyllen9109]

You just popped up and I thought hmm interesting. It was a wonderful. So now I'm going backwards...so far on episode 4 and will continue on in order 😊 Thankyou!

[@shipgeek3669]

Absolutely brilliant series of videos, congratulations on your trip of a lifetime

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you very much, really glad to hear you enjoyed them

[@rnunezc.4575]

Thank you , what a real great voyage video. Bests

[@tweak7505]

Hi. I just found your channel and after watching this vid for about 1 min, I realized I need to watch them all. So... I guess ill be back here is a few weeks once I have caught up with your entire trip. :)

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Awesome, enjoy! 🍿

[@mcouture8169]

You'll love every minute. They really are a treasure together and have been tremendous ambassadors for sailing and NZ.

[@tweak7505]

@@sailingbacchushome944 OK I'm up to date. You guys REALLY know how to do adventure right! Thanks so much for documenting it so well.

[@espowari]

I kept thinking what your life would be like in a few weeks time. Walking around shops, going back to 'normal'. Doesn't everyone know what you did?! It would be surreal for sure. Almost like readjusting to land-life. Anyway mega props to you both for your tenacity and strength to accomplish what you did. Please please continue making videos. The house project!!!!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Brian, we'll keep the camera handy for the house build ;)

[@roncanizares9966]

Thank you both so much for sharing this wonderful adventure that I have had the pleasure to follow. Wishing you the very best going forward.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Ron. All the best

[@roncanizares9966]

And now...how about a baby? The forever joy!

[@wrenchin0178]

I have followed your journey from the beginning. Tears me up when you see new Zealand on the horizon and family sailing out to join you. Cheers to the both of you.

[@danielprinsloo2917]

you have just proofed that a dream can come true - well done to both of you be blessed

[@SCFoster]

Great series of videos. Was refreshing as a destination type of series, not an over produced lifestyle production. Turns out Bacchus is the same as my Beneteau 361 purchased at auction. The boat came substantially disassembled. While watching I finally figured out what the two blocks are for, to stop the sliding companionway hatch, so thanks for that. Wish you all the best in your new adventures and have fun with the house build.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Wow, how much assembly was needed for your Beneteau? That would be an interesting project!

[@SCFoster]

@@sailingbacchushome944 A lot of assembly. The prior owner hired a 'cheap' handyman to spruce up the gelcoat in the cockpit and transom. He was a drunk and went at it with a grinder, destroying the gelcoat and the teak seating. When I got it, had to cut out the core for all the seating surfaces and re-fiberglass everything. The engine instruments were missing and found them under the rear berth by the diesel tank. Not complaining as the price was right. Replaced all the thru-hulls with non-metal ABYCC compliant units, sanded the bottom back to gelcoat, pulled the rudder, the propeller, the inverter/charger, etc. Basically a thorough refit. During the process, finding parts all over the boat. Found a old chart plotter jammed under the forward water tank. Anyway. Enjoyed your series immensely.

[@KingstoneS318]

Incredible footage such good experience for that route for future sailors attempting to sail from Tahiti to NZ directly in summer, but worthwhile when you see that tip of home! Thank you for your awesome channel hope to see more sails from the Bay of Islands 😍

[@ronburton7090]

I follow quite a few sailing channels, from big to small, but just stumbled on to yours a couple of days ago. I started at the beginning... now up to episode 30 and looking forward to the rest. Yours is an interesting story and has been a lot of fun to follow. Editing and story lines have been great and both of you are interesting, hard working and fun. Also, I follow a couple of other sailing channels with attractive gingers on them too and can't imagine what your sun screen budget for Danni has been during the trip. Good luck and best wishes in the future.

[@conyermud1]

Amazing, what a journey, we’ve loved every single episode, every sing darn one.

[@jimocles]

Wow, that was such a cool journey, very emotional. And we're jealous as being stuck overseas, makes us homesick. Good stuff guys we are going to miss your adventures.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks James. Hope you can get home in the not-too-distant future!

[@robertgough508]

Well done best set of videos of all the yachty utubers thanks for letting us share your adventure and best wishes for your life ahead!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Wow that is very high praise! Thanks Robert!

[@davidferguson9213]

Thank you for allowing me to follow along on your adventure. I will miss you guys!! David from Oxford Mississippi..

[@davidwarnes5158]

Awsome , its been a awesome adventure and we got 2 kiwi,s out of the UK, Cheers

[@geraldschram3117]

God bless you two!

[@HarryLevinson]

Awesome conclusion to an awesome trip. We joined a little late but caught up to "real-time" as you were heading across the Atlantic and looked forward to each new video. It doesn't surprise me but you guys must have some big karma - finding the Torqeedo key, Asher finding his glasses, and the brackets on the deck - to name a few examples. Best wishes for your next adventures and your life together in NZ. Part of a family vacation took us to your wonderful country in 2017. The people and the natural beauty and variety are unique in this world.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Haha yes we have had quite a few pretty lucky moments ✨ thanks for joining us!

[@jyzilvz]

Welcome home. Thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@tonyhalahan5199]

Wow.! Well done Dani and Asher, Epic trip.! We sailed from Tonga to NZ almost a year earlier, and the trip was quite challenging. At one point we were sailing north west to stay in the wind. We see Bacchus is probably moored in Kerikeri marina. Wish you great luck with your new plans. !

[@stevechampion7938]

Been a great journey following you guys. Welcome home.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Steve!

[@marcusdiggle1]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventures. This episode moved me tremendously-just lovely. Thank you both!

[@patience8884]

Glad you made it safe, enjoyed watching the adventure. Best to you both!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks mate!

[@Crowscratch_HauntedLibrary]

What a wonderful journey. Thank you both so very much for sharing it.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks for watching ☺️

[@joeltatham5673]

Thanks for showing us that travelling across the world on a 36 production boat is possible, and with style! I’m planning on the Atlantic next on my 36 foot Dufour. Fantastic journey, great team!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Woohoo! That’s awesome, have a brilliant adventure on your Dufour!

[@TheCruisingKiwis]

Congratulations! Must be good to be home.

[@mikesails100]

Well done you two, and many congratulations on reaching NZ! I’ve really enjoyed following your adventures. Many thanks for sharing it all with us, and very best wishes for your future!

[@Oceans_Sail]

Absolutely amazing! Huge respect to you guys. It would be amazing enough in a well known big blue water boat but to do it in a 36ft Bene.....absolutely incredible. If Bene don’t pay you a share of royalties in the future then shame on them! Once again, fantastic and incredible achievement. Kiwis; mad or brave I’m not sure, but brilliant for sure!

[@YakMiani]

Thanks for taking us along with you on this adventure!

[@danerlandson5596]

We’ve watched your entire journey and have loved every minute. You are one of my most anticipated posts. If you are going away, I will miss you terribly. If you are starting a new adventure, I’d love to see it!

[@michaelstirling6894]

Just lovely

[@1425race]

,Welcome home you guys and what a well put together video that was. It had everything - great commentary, stress, laughs, fixing boat stuff, sleep deprivation, high emotion, a funeral (Droney) and above all massive achievement. Well done and I hope you can keep this channel going in some form.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you it certainly was a pretty eventful final passage!

[@jvodan]

Welcome home and thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[@szymondworski]

Congratulations on completing your trip! What a great adventure! Well done!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you! It felt so great to arrive home!

[@SailingPivo]

Hell yah! We're so thankful to be starting our sailing jour ey in. Ew Zealand!

[@manuelgarrido3087]

Well done!!! It's been great to be able to sail with you all this time! Thanks a lot for that and all the best for your future, back home!!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks for joining us! 🙂

[@havocdogg]

Thanks for sharing your adventure

[@waughthogwaugh3078]

Loved your wonderful videos and will be sad to know that that they are coming to an end but I guess any project like this reaches a conclusion. Thanks so much for sharing this adventure with us all. Welcome home kia ora.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks for joining us!

[@tinalouisetaylor]

Welcome home. I loved watching all your episodes from NZ. What an epic way to travel home. I have been back from UK for 15 years now but loved the episode and seeing your arrival home . NZ is a special place.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

It really is. Thanks for watching!

[@TheShawline]

So good, words escape me, well done. I also own a 361, inspiring stuff. Enjoy your homeland.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Woohoo for the 361 brigade! Just goes to show they are a damn good boat! Enjoy your sailing adventures, thanks for watching!

[@mikefunk664]

Going to miss you guys...hope your on another adventure to share in the future

[@klausbernegger1186]

great video and what a journey. congratulation . k

[@guyten1968]

Thx for the wonderful story and vids. I started following you guys some weeks ago. This summer I bought a Beneteau First 36.7 and I wanted to see how a 36 foot is behaving on an atlantic crossing. The English Channel Belgium, UK are my home waters, so I ready liked the beginning of the trip till the Canaries because this is doable for us on a 4 week summer holiday. New Zealand is on my bucket list but problaby not by boat because this would tell us we are half way. Enjoy and good luck for your land live.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Hope you have some amazing adventures on your new Beneteau. Atlantic France, Spain and Portugal are stunning places to cruise!

[@elitedavidhorne8494]

Good choice sailing home. To think you nearly you nearly bought a minibus.

[@skytechea70]

Brought tears to my eyes guys, so glad your back safe and thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us xx

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you!!

[@anitakaze8806]

I'm so happy to see you make it back safely! Such drama in this last episode with up to 40 knot winds! Whew! But now you're back safely in NZ. Well done for taking on such a monumental challenge, during a global pandemic too!

[@karencurley4293]

Brought happy tears for you to be arriving home!❤️ I hope there is a season 2 on the horizon!

[@davidreesthomas]

Echoing many here, thank you for sharing your journey. Really felt that homecoming. I mean, it was heavily foreshadowed in your channel name but the moments still packed a punch. Congrats you two.

[@rachaelmaillard4115]

Congratulations on your safe arrival. This has been one of the most realistic sailing videos I have watched while in lockdown in Canada🇨🇦. Well done both of you. Keep safe😷

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thank you!

[@mikeparker3865]

I love you guys. Thanks so much for the trip. I will miss your adventures so much.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks for supporting us all the way home Mike!

[@1werewolf]

Great video....thanks for sharing.....

[@stevesheils6653]

Watched all you episodes. Job well done! Season 2, I vote yes!

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Haha we’ll see what we can do 😉

[@jenniedwards9417]

Welcome home to Kerikeri.Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Thanks Jenni. Loving being back in the Bay!

[@camtndawson]

Loved watching the adventure guys ! 🤙

[@edwinfarebredin]

Great adventures from GB all the way to NZ

[@barneyscott8634]

Well done to u both great vid all the best with the house build.

[@sailingbacchushome944]

Cheers Barney!

[@tania_summer_5032]

That was super emotional to see, It probs seems cheese but sometimes it seemed your adventure was a vicarious adventure for me. And the coolest thing was the powhiri you recieved by the whānau of whales, honouring and acknowledging your journey. A wonderful tohu. All the best for the next journey ahead. Arohanui, Tania

[@sailingbacchushome944]

It does not seem cheese at all. Thank you for supporting us virtually on this adventure Tania! Arohanui right back 😊