Badger

Badger

Iron Bark II

Iron Bark II

About Me

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I first crossed the Atlantic in 1975 on 'Stormalong', a 28ft Wharram-designed catamaran. Back in the UK, Pete and I bought an ex 6-metre racing yacht, 'Sheila', living on her for 4 years. Wanting to do more and go further, we built 'Badger' - the best boat in the world - sailing her 110,000 miles, to the Arctic and the Antarctic, around the Atlantic North and South and into the Baltic. She had junk rig - the only rig I will ever now cruise with. Pete wanted to build a 38 ft junk-rigged catamaran, 'China Moon' - which he designed. But before the project was finished, we went our separate ways. A year later I joined Trevor Robertson aboard his 35ft 'Iron Bark'. We explored the Canadian Maritimes, crossed the Atlantic twice, wintered in Greenland and crossed the Pacific to Australia and New Zealand. I fell in love with NZ and jumping ship, bought my own boat while Trevor carried on voyaging. I put a junk rig onto ‘Fantail’ and, having decided that N Island offered better cruising opportunities than S Island, sailed up there in 2012. Looking for a boat to see me out, I built the 26ft 'FanShi' and now live on board her, pottering about, generally around the Bay of Islands.

Thursday, 20 February 2025

ELEPHANT LAGOON

 
54oO3'S 37o08'W
Chart 3585, Prince Olav Harbour and Approaches


At the S end of Cook Bay, at the entrance to Prince Olav Harbour, is this almost totally landlocked lagoon. The framework of the old lighthouse on Sheep Point makes a convenient landmark to find the entrance. Close S of Sheep Point is the Carl Passage, which is the narrow entrance to the lagoon. There is much kelp around here, but an almost clear lead can be found through it with above water rocks on either hand.

The narrowest part of the channel is just before the lagoon is entered and is approximately 25m wide. The chart indicates a minimum depth of 1.8m and on the occasion of Badger's visit, soundings suggested that this is still the case. A minimum of 2.3m was found, at approximately half tide, near Springs. Most yachts should have no trouble in entering, if they wait for half tide.

Anchorage was found in 7.5m, mud. It is possible to land on most places around the shore. South and East Bays are reported to be very windy places, which suggests that Elephant Lagoon probably suffers the same. Recommended in settled weather.


ELEPHANT LAGOON, LOOKING E TO THE CARL PASSAGE




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