Gucci’s South Island circumnavigation

Gucci left Wellington on the 3rd December 2012 Bound for Milford Sound after a short stop (4 days) in Torrent Bay – Nelson, waiting for a favourable weather forecast on the West Coast (much to Clive/Bootleggers surprise)! Mostly Twenty knots south westerly down the West Coast, Gucci arrived at Milford Fiord five days later.

Two days later, Bligh Sound and George sound were explored. Gucci and crew then proceeded to Doubtful Sound where more crew arrived (Rob, Helene – Integration Works, Carol Love and Deb). Six scorching hot days, (who says Fiordland has the heaviest rainfall in NZ) followed by six days of incredibly solid rain. This in no way detracted from the awe inspiring scenery of Doubtful Sound, or the amount of crayfish handed over (on a daily basis) by one of the locals.

5th Jan, new crew arrive, (Ian Dewhurst, Mark Dewhurst and Quinn Wright) to cruise Dusky Sound, Stewart Island and do the trip home. Incredible history at Dusky, the first brewery in NZ, first house built in NZ and first ship built in NZ as well as Pickersgill harbour where Cation Cook moored while setting up astronomist point.

A much faster trip up the east Coast, 3.5 days to Wellington from Stewart Island with various wind speeds. Wellington welcomed Gucci and crew home with a 50 knot southerly, smashing her own personal speed record of 17 knots, her new record now stands at 20.2knots with a tri-sail only. Still a bit of life left in the old girl yet!