Sailing Gargoyle Archive – Page 4

This week we are joined by our Norwegian Nephew and his fiancé as we explore the island paradise of Fiji. We explore the filming location of the movie Blue Lagoon, join the world famous Musket Cove Yacht Club, swim with Manta Rays, explore caves and party...

It is time to tour Nadi and we jump on a tour to see the largest Hindu temple in the South Pacific, a sleeping giant, sample Kava and then go for a dip in a mud bath. This is one fun excursion for the crew of Gargoyle. Follow us on Instagram https://www.i...

This week we are waiting for a weather window to make the 1,200nm passage from Fiji to New Zealand. But while we wait we are getting out and exploring a few new places here in Heaven or as you know it, Fiji. First up is a pig roast at Musket Cove Resort th...

1,200 nautical miles and nine days lay ahead as we set out on our last passage of the Pacific season. We have spent 60 nights on passage in the past 210 days and at this point, we are ready for a break. With Carla suffering through passage fatigue, we he...

After eleven years and 25,000 nautical miles of hard use, our Selden Rodkicker Rigid Vang experienced its first failure on our 1,200nm passage from Fiji to New Zealand, requiring replacement. Five days into the nine-day passage, we noticed an unusual clank...

After spending the past few days battened down and riding out a series of storms, it is time for a road trip to one of the most spiritual places we have ever visited, Cape Reinga. Cape Reinga is the most spiritual place for the Māori in New Zealand and th...

It is time to take another tour and this time we venture out to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds as well as the Stone Store in Kerikeri. The Treaty Grounds are just a few minutes from the Bay of Islands marina and is the protected site of the signing of the fir...

After a few months in the Bay of Islands it is time for us to head south toward Auckland. Along the way we stopped to explore the Whangamumu Whaling Station. But first we begin the trip by heading around Cape Brett on one of the best sailing days we have s...

Hard to believe it has been two weeks since Gargoyle was loaded on the Happy Dynamic. All reports from the ship have been calm seas and good weather. Next stop Panama, ETA April 26th.

This week we continue our sail down the east coast of the North Island and we encounter whales, dolphins and yet another of the endless New Zealand gales we have experienced this season. As we have become accustomed to doing, we keep an especially close ey...

It is time for us to explore the gem of the Haruaki Gulf, Waiheke Island. Known for excellent wine and cafés, this island is a quick ferry ride from Auckland. We motor down on a weekend and after dodging the rush hour boat traffic tuck in to wait for a pe...

We typically plan our haulouts for work months in advance due to their cost. Unfortunately, this week we have our first emergency haulout to address a potential keel grid issue on Gargoyle. We noticed cracks in our bilge and after a visit by not one but tw...

Four years into our voyages and after having navigated multiple COVID outbreaks, frightening storms, and costly repairs, the crew of Gargoyle faces their toughest decision yet. Preparing to ship their sailboat half-way around the world. They discuss the op...

Today is the most nerve-wracking day for us as we watch our home lifted aboard a yacht transport ship by a huge crane. Our home, Gargoyle, a Beneteau Oceanis 50, is off on a 14,000 nautical mile journey from Auckland New Zealand to Cork Ireland aboard Seve...

Traveling internationally with one’s pets is an expensive and nerve-wracking adventure. This week we go through all the steps and costs to transport Sam and Dean, our two Devon Rex cats, from Auckland New Zealand to Dublin Ireland. Using a pet exporter i...

After 14,000 nautical miles and forty days, it was finally time to unload Gargoyle in Cork Ireland. We had heard horror stories about yachts damaged in transit by big seas so we were nervous as to what state our home would arrive. Planned to be first off t...

n this thrilling episode of our sailing channel, join us as we face unexpected challenges upon getting Gargoyle back in the water. Our peaceful evening at the dock takes a dramatic turn when the bilge pump kicks in and doesn't stop, causing panic as we fea...

We are on the move from Crosshaven to Kinsale Ireland, the gourmet capital of Ireland. This once sleepy fishing village has been transformed in the past twenty years into a tourism center with a variety of great dining experiences, postcard worthy scenery,...

This week we are playing catch up as we have taken the past week off to reunite with old friends. Now we are off to cross the Irish Sea to the Isle of Jura, Scotland. After a quick overnight run under extended high latitude summer daylight, we grab a moori...

It is time to say goodbye to the incredible Isle of Jura. Today we sail across the Sound of Jura and venture up the Loch of Sween to the magical village of Tayvallich. On the way we pass the oldest stone castle in Scotland, the Castle of Sween before squee...

We motor sail from Tayvallich to the Island of Gigha, one of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Here we relax and enjoy the white sand beaches said to rival the Caribbean islands. After a restful few ni...

This week it is all about the timing as we make the run down the Sound of Jura, around the Mull of Kintyre and then up the Firth of Clyde to Campbeltown. Tides and currents in this area are notoriously severe, running from two to four knots at times and mi...

High winds are forecast for the Firth of Clyde, so it is time for us to find a place to tuck away and hide for a few days. Our first attempt is on the Isle of Arran, but it proves to be untenable as the mooring field is tight for a 15m yacht. Next, we run ...

This week proves the axiom regarding the best laid plans as we have to abort our anchorage plan and find a chandlery to replace badly corroded chain. Luckily for us, Largs Yacht Haven proves to be the finest marine center we have yet to find in our 35,000 ...

Bedazzled with ninety meters of new chain and an assortment of long overdue updates, Gargoyle departs Largs Marina bound for more exploring. This week we check out the Burnt Islands and then check off the bucket list item of being moored in the shadow of a...

After four years and over 30,000nm of sailing it is finally time for us to begin our passage to Europe. On this run down from Scotland to Spain we are joined by friend and frequent crew member Tara from Vancouver. This will be her first offshore passage on...

After a few days in the wonderful village of Camariñas, it is time for the crew of Gargoyle to head further south. This week we brave a rough exit to make the 65nm run down to the beautiful city of Vigo. There we explore a fort dating to the 1600’s, wal...

Summer is heading into fall, and it is time for us to get a move on to reach the Mediterranean before it gets too far into September. This week we make a quick stop in the ancient port city of Baiona before heading south to Porto Portugal and the Port of L...

After a quick trip to take care of a few boat chores the crew heads off to walk in the footsteps of Anthony Bourdain. This week we connect with Taste of Porto for a walking tour of the highlights of this gastronomic hotbed with its small neighborhood pubs ...

This week we make another hop down the coast from Porto to Figueira da Foz. Along the way, we encounter a large and friendly pod of dolphins that spend time with us before heading off to do dolphin stuff. Then we make our way into the dock at this small bu...

Have you ever wondered about the surfers that dare to ride the really big waves? How do those waves form, who are the men and women who attempt them and where do they find them? This week we answer those questions as we explore the Portugues coastal town o...

Anchored just outside of Faro Portugal, it is time to explore the popular tourist island of Culatra. White sand beaches, quaint shops, a long boardwalk, and a whole lot of tourists await. After a stop at the beach, we enjoy a break from boat life and watch...

This week we talk about the Orca challenge in navigating the coasts of Spain and Portugal as we make our way to the ancient port city of Cadiz. Orca’s interacting with sailboats for the past few seasons have meant that the only way to safely traverse thi...

We continue our stay in Cadiz with the installation of our gangway or passerelle. There is nothing more nerve-wracking than drilling a 1” hole in your boat. Then it is off to continue our exploration of the old city as well as brave the market on a Satu...

This week we make the run down from Cadiz to the gateway of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar. Departing Cadiz in the dark makes for a nerve-wracking few hours but we are able to navigate past the incoming cruise ships, freighters, and occasional fishing boat t...

Four years and four months since departing Vancouver, Gargoyle is sailing into the Mediterranean Sea. This week we pull up the anchor in a rainy Gibraltar and sail into the Mediterranean, checking off yet another note on every sailor’s bucket list. Our f...