The Cutlass - Lowry Bay Yacht Club

12
Sassy around New Zealand
Sassy is the only Reactor to have
sailed around New Zealand. The
then owners, Rowley and Jennifer,
lived in Taranaki and set off in Sassy
from Waitara. These extracts from
their log (courtesy of the Reactor
Owners’ Association) give a picture
of what must be ‘the ultimate
cruise’. We’ll publish them in two
parts – Sassy goes South this
month, then Sassy goes North next.
there are 4 Reactors at Seaview –
Tempus, Madame Butterfly,
Bluebell, and Sassy.
Sassy Goes South
15 January 1989 - 31 March 1989
Starting: Sassy was loaded with a tank full of fuel, plus 3 drums of 25
litres each, tank of water and two more heavy drums, two anchors, chain
and long warps (one an extra-heavy Danforth) and food for a month.
Although heavily loaded, Sassy balanced well. We were able to sail
sturdily, being always pleased at her ability in less than good weather and
especially to windward.
To West Coast: Carrying too much sail, we made fast progress. Rain
created poor visibility, and wind piping out of Cook Strait, now headed for
Westport. Two reefs, #3 jib and wet through during this period, very
poor conditions. We made well away from land and heaved to – Sassy
with mainsail centred and tiller over, quite happily edges to windward as
we keep watch and have a rest. Next day beautifully hot, glorious night,
and early dewy entry to Westport
To Milford Sound: From Cape Farewell to Milford Sound the West Coast is
particularly inhospitable, no anchorage or shelter for even a small vessel.
We took four days, ran engine continuously against light SW breeze and
long deep swells.
Entering Milford Sound: Milford has the most precipitous and narrow
entrance of all the Sounds. The strongish SW breeze didn’t increase, but
the swell did and suddenly we found ourselves in clouds of spray, the
wind cannoning off the high cliffs and coming from all directions. St
Anne’s Point light didn’t come on until late, so we hove to until morning
when we sneaked past into Anita Bay, still blowing and spray everywhere.
Milford Sound to Doubtful Sound (31/1 – 5/2): We stayed in Milford over
three days. Usually, a visit here is a day trip from Te Anau plus boat ride.
Our stay gave us time to see the ever changing mood of the fjord. At
night, the stars clear appearing touchable in their brightness, the sunset
on the snow of Pembroke, the peaceful calm of the morning; by midafternoon
the wind blowing a chop on the water, rain, then a selection of
new waterfalls from the cliffs and always the ever-changing light altering
the aspect off each cliff and peak. Back to earth, as it were! Maintenance
and tied as we were to a cold storage barge at the fisherman’s wharf with
water, diesel, also the large camp-house in which to shower, washing
machine etc; an excellent haven.