What You Need To Know When Visiting New Zealand By Boat; A Boaters Guide to Aotearoa

[@BruceGoodhue-wf4jk]

Congratulations on producing the best introduction to New Zealand for cruisers I am a New Zealander and have sailed over 200000 ocean miles as a skipper including a 7 year world circumnavigation on my 28 ft yacht without a reverse in the 1960s. Your information is invaluable to overseas cruisers. Accurate and to the point. Most Kiwi sailers have not seen as much of the country as you have Have enjoyed following your sailing around NZ . Looking forward to your continuing adventures

[@SailorJames]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Petenz81]

As a New Zealander and a boat builder , knowing most of the spots you mention in this video, I was quite charmed by your descriptions of our coasts. Whangaroa and the Marlborough Sounds in particular. Well done James.

[@DJNickMiller]

I'm a kiwi sailor who's been following your journey since you set off for Hawaii all those years ago. It has been interesting watching you discover NZ and hearing your subjective impressions of this place in your own words. You're a great ambassador for global cruising and you'd be welcome back anytime

[@SailorJames]

🙏🏻

[@louisavondart9178]

A well thought out summary of boating in NZ. But I would just like to add one thing. If you need to, you can enter the harbour at Whanganui. It's midway between New Plymouth and Wellington on the east coast. The harbour entrance has a bar which has taken out quite a few large ships in bad weather but it does get dredged often. On a rising tide it's a bit like Haulover Inlet but without the gronks in Fizz boats not wearing life jackets. Just serious Kiwis in fishing trawlers. Once over the bar, you'll find safe mooring and a lovely small city to visit. The river used to be called The Rhine of New Zealand and a jet boat trip up it is well worth it. Not much in the way of yachting facilities but there is a wealth of fine restuarants, great shopping, a fantastic museum and good engineering workshops for those repairs that are always needed. Whanganui is often overlooked but a stop there never fails to please.

[@SailorJames]

I don’t ever suggest dangerous harbours with bars to people

[@DanTheMan-c5q]

Well explained take on NZ cruising James's. I came here from Scotland 21 year's ago, fell in love with the place. Got a job driving truck's. I'm retired now, a citizen of NZ. I'm still living on my boat. Living the dream James in Marlborough Sounds. Fair winds and following seas for you.😎⛵🍷

[@blakemeyering3019]

Found your channel a week or so ago and have been catching up and enjoying your videos. Keep up the great work and happy sailing!

[@Raweditsnz]

Glad you visited my home harbour, Whangaroa. Its a little known outside the locals and cruisers, most people just drive past without even seeing it, the best kept secret in the north

[@terry1548]

awesome video as always, glad you love our country xx

[@jaydubya4727]

As usual, informative and interesting. You have a knack for storytelling and description that comes across vividly in your videos. I'll never get to go to New Zealand, especially not with the style and verve that you manage, but because you did and shared, I have had a little taste of what it must be like - thanks!

[@SailorJames]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@bryanbadger6841]

Thank you James and Rhonda for your informative description of our country, and for information about boating here. Right there is your own cruising guide to our waters. Looking forward to further episodes of your Aussie experience. Take care guys and all the very best. Cheers.

[@pmorph]

Having learned to sail in Queen Charlotte Sounds and vomited my guts out in Cook Straight many times, 60-80 knots is not unusual and yes! Motor across in calm weather if you possibly can!

[@meghantweedy7264]

Hello from New Hampshire! I’ve been watching your channel since you started it. It’s been great following your progression through all you’ve been through as you grow your channel. Thank you for sharing your life and travels with people like me that can’t do what you do anymore. I used to live your life long before KZbin so I get a real treat being taken back to those places even vicariously!! Great job doing what you do!! And I’m really happy you found someone to share it with!! ❤ safe travels captain!!

[@GingerNinja68]

Thanks James

[@captainmike808]

Terrific info Captain James.

[@johnglowinski1321]

Thank you James. Safe passage to Australia.

[@JeremyBridge-rf2op]

Another enjoyable and informative episode James , so glade to see you enjoying your lifestyle and having someone special along side you now , must make it just that much more enjoyable. Stay safe

[@konagregg6478]

Excellent as usual ! Mahalo

[@bethcollier3789]

Thank you James, it has been a true treat watching your channel and seeing my country through uour eyes, so glad you chose a Kiwi-girl travel companion. Happy sailing across the blue Rhonda, you also James ❤❤.

[@leonasimmons162]

Very informative James thank you.💙💙

[@christiangarner9819]

Love the Minneys shirt. Will let them know!

[@lynleycunningham5106]

A great and fair summary of your time in NZ. Thank you

[@Frank-E]

Thank you for being real and honest. ❤

[@daveegan4554]

Great video and thanks for the information. Definitely going to be using this when I sail there. Fair winds mate

[@maurizioferrario1949]

Very interesting James. I am a solo sailor too, currently in the Med after taking my boat from the Noth sea last summer. I would love to sail all the long way from the Med to New Zealand, and be there for the rest, though being over 70 I am not sure I have the time. Thank you for a very well explained and comprehensive information video. I will keep it saved for the future. Who knows...

[@SailorJames]

I have a buddy named Keith who is a Kiwi sailor who is 72 and sailed from the med to Panama then through the South Pacific (I met him in Huahine) and back to NZ

[@maurizioferrario1949]

@@SailorJames thank you for your answer James. Maybe, who knows. I will be 75 this year. And I have seen all your videos, since you left Hawaii.

[@dannyfisher9223]

Thanks James for a very informative episode of kiwi land!

[@clarencebirdashaw8117]

Good job. Very helpful. Thanks

[@DDK1068]

I cannot imagine a better travelogue James. Good job.

[@SailorJames]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@richardclarke8585]

Indeed you our country proud , thanks and blessings 🙏

[@blackswann9555]

I'm looking at these places as you talk. Absolutely stunning beauty of places like Great Barrier Island, Fiordland etc. Looking at real estate prices.. great content!

[@karenlucas8882]

Thankyou James ... so informative, there's nothing you can't do, we'll done!❤

[@davidbamford4721]

You could add that Lin and Larry Pardey came ashore in New Zealand.

[@SailorJames]

Not really info that helps visiting boaters

[@Seafariireland]

Great review of sailing in NZ.

[@shabbydoris]

Thank you, Captain James!

[@dennishively5994]

Great information, it sounds like a great place to sail, thank you for sharing

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Sailing the Cook Straight ..... advice avoid it unless you need to motor across 😂 Gnarly to the power of ..... so true I've seen the ferry's caught out and they need to chain everything down including the Artic trucks to stop them going air born. 😬🤞🏼🌊🌊🌊🌊🌌🧙🏼‍♂️👍🏼

[@SailorJames]

Seriously no joke 😂

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@SailorJames kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4a6kqaZpqh1m5Isi=HffhVIplbPExuwuX 🌊🌊🤦🤮😵‍💫

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4a6kqaZpqh1m5Isi=HffhVIplbPExuwuX

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@SailorJames Tried putting in a U tube link but it got deleted twice.. pity not often you see a full sized ferry going half airborne before landing in the trough before the next wave buries the whole front half .😬

[@SailorJames]

I can see it in the comments posted twice

[@sailingshillong4733]

It was a shame to see you go James,Love what you do!

[@SailorJames]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@rosscuthbertson2679]

Great summary thank you

[@Jujbbyigs8766]

Thanks James, very helpful.

[@jeffmercier1974]

Great video, nicely put together ✌️

[@peterware5173]

Thanks again bro.

[@-suncheez-]

Thanks, man! Hoping you already started writing your book ;)

[@SailorJames]

I have published two books and yes have a bigger one in the works

[@Juddy_Clark]

Awesome James 👌 if you ever come back to New Zealand 🇳🇿 I live in Hawke's Bay Napier north island I own my house beautiful spot always a house for you to live in dude , cheers Judd Clark

[@Ecoskipper]

As a delivery skipper I have entered many times to Opua and often spent the night on Q dock with no problems at all so disagree with your initial comments. Agree that Whangarei is by far the best place for longer term and getting refit work done. I often eat in the Opua Cafe and the Cruising Club and prices are the same as anywhere else in a comparable spot. Neither the cafe or cruising club are overpriced. The food may be rather ordinary fare but calling it terrible is really unfair.

[@SailorJames]

Marina cafe is wildly over priced and I speak from experience when I say they made me clear off in a gale

[@gratefulfredly8643]

The greatful fred in golden here. Thought I would give ya a shout out about that piece of work captain that was charged in the divers deaths of santa cruz. 4 yrs in prison. What a piece of work that clown was. 33 dead may they rest in peace now.

[@KivBB]

What visa are you on enabling you to stay for so long ? Great vid thanks ..

[@SailorJames]

I got the 6 month visa then left NZ a few days before it expired and retuned after visiting the states and got another 6 month visa. The boat is allowed to be there two years

[@meirshamai1]

Yap, new zealand is magic

[@Mark-abc]

How old are those videos , like 2 years old by now ?

[@SailorJames]

I crossed the Tasman in mid February, so no partner, not 2 years old 🙄

[@SailorJasonTaylor]

Still the best Patreon I've ever invested in.

[@SailorJames]

Thank you Jason 🙏🏻

[@SailorJasonTaylor]

Thank YOU for ruining my life and inspiring me to get into sailing 😂

[@sheldonhoyt6624]

@@SailorJasonTaylor lol

[@bryanbadger6841]

Good morning James, calling from Aotearoa. Thank you sir for your positive comments on our country. I hope that your channel has/will encourage more people to come down here. Nz of course is holder of the America's Cup, and has more boats per person than any other country. By the way, I know of only one person who made a a direct passage from Vanuatu to Picton, and used Picton as his port of entry. Never mind why. The reason why Cook Strait is so gnarly, is that the Roaring 40s blow around in that direction, and just have a narrow passage to squeeze through. Cook Strait! I can't find any information, but did you get a chance to see/visit Lin Pardey....of Serafynn and Taliesin fame, both engineless. I believe that Lin still lives on Mayor Island in the Hauraki Gulf. I hope that if it does work out for you, that you and Rhonda will make your home down here in Nz. You'll have no problem finding work. In the meantime, take care over in Oz. It's bloody dangerous mate. Fair dinkum mate, you're dreaming mate if you think it's not. And there's a tonne of expressions, to get your head round. When you get to Darwin, ask for a Darwin Stubby. Take care guys.

[@terrysmall1421]

well said and all true. as a kiwi i have loved your time in nz....do pop in again

[@danwilliams8695]

❤

[@kaine10gabriel]

⛵ ❤

[@quolls2]

NZ where the men are men and the sheep are very, very, very nervous 😅

[@SailorJames]

They say the same about most of the southern United States

[@paullascelles8362]

The same applies in Australia but includes dead Kangaroos, and chickens.

[@paullascelles8362]

Just read online where another Australian has been arrested for bestiality.

[@mikedobbs1575]

Almost time to change the intro to 2024......

[@SailorJames]

Not worth the effort since that was the last NZ episode

[@mikedobbs1575]

@@SailorJames Yes, well you will need to with new crew.... and new destinations.... Looking forward to the start of this next chapter...

[@SailorJames]

I do a new intro for every season

[@mikedobbs1575]

@@SailorJames I know, I look forward to it.

[@AB-tc8lx]

There is no other channels. I like to watch than sailors going around the world. But I can't stand it when they head to New Zealand. Because once they go there, it takes 2 years to move on from there

[@Worldviewsandthoughts]

Yes, I hate that too. I know they are really enjoying the places they see. But for us viewers we like to see sailing!

[@sheldonhoyt6624]

Thats because they find a woman. lol

[@SailorJames]

No, that’s because New Zealand is amazing

[@sheldonhoyt6624]

@@SailorJames yeah it is :)