Summer Newsletter - '07/'08
Ahoy there Crewmember,
Summer has arrived for another season here in the Marlborough Sounds. We are now in full flow with bookings and enquiries as spring is disappearing fast here and everyone is now thinking of lazy days at anchor or slowly cooking a blue cod on the BBQ. The Compass Crew want to tell you about the season coming up, new additions to our fleet, new excursions, new sailing courses offered and also bring to your attention a few specials we are running.
We have had a mixed spring, weather wise but the weather just recently has been absolutely stunning! Our "Spring and Winter Specials" were popular. The Compass Charters summer season of '06/'07 was the best here for many seasons with lots of you NZ/Aus regulars returning to the area and many old and new international crews from Europe, USA, South America and Asia enjoying the paradise we have here in the Sounds. So we are looking forward to seeing you all again this season. Bookings are up from last year so the secret of our playground here has definitely gotten out! This summer is going to be an extra long one with the new Daylight savings period being extended by 3 weeks and the national holidays for everyone now extended to 4 weeks for the first time. We have added 2 launches to the fleet for this season with heavy interest in both so far. "Windermere" is all MSA surveyed and has been out on charters now since labour Weekend and "U4RIA" is just finishing off her refit and survey and will be ready very soon. We are taking bookings for "U4ria" now for the season - see below.
So please read on to find out about,
- Our new vessel additions.
- Our new partner with sailing tuition.
- Our current specials.
- Our fleet favourites additions and upgrades.
- Our photo competition.
- Our usual fishing and diving trips.
- Our new summer Staff additions.
New vessel additions
We are pleased to announce "ORION". A McLay 650 Cruiser Hard Top, as a new addition to our fleet. What a great boat! This 22ft (6.5 Meters) runabout is in mint condition and is proving to be very popular for exploring the sounds. She has already passed the MSA survey in no time and is all ready for the season here. It has a 175HP Yamaha with a 15HP Yamaha aux as well, fishfinder, stereo, great washdown pump, trim tabs, fuel management system, baitboard, fishbin and all the usual safety gear like EPIRBS, VHF, fire ext etc. A secure cockpit for families, fully enclosed Hard Top if the weather turns to bad with speedy cruising with the 175 HP. This makes "Orion" an ideal craft to explore the vast Sounds we have here if your time schedule is limited.
The boat is available right now for charter in our fleet so check it out under "Orion" on our website (It will be updated with more photos very soon) and call us to enquire on availability.
The vessel in picture above is another 650 Hard Top cruiser. Pics of Orion to follow soon on our website. Call our staff to enquire on availability on 0800 101 332.
And an update on "U4ria" - our latest launch. She is a 36ft Pelin Sterling called "U4RIA" (Euphoria) going through survey at present. A classic Frank Pelin design and proven hull, she we be in superb condition after going through an extensive professional refit in Christchurch at present. She should be ready for Mid January!
Built in 2000 with the latest systems she has undergone another new transformation this winter with a new saloon, cockpit, boarding platform, new heads, cabin, galley etc. A bit slower than "Windermere" with a single volvo 165hp on a shaft producing a cruising speed of around 8 - 9 kts she is more of a gentle explorer for the Sounds. She can sleep 6 but 4 is the ideal crew with two double cabins and the saloon has a double bed which folds out. A perfect sea worthy boat for 2 couples or a family who want to amble along at their own pace in comfort.
Excellent electronics, new fridge and freezer and new galley. All the comforts on board to make you feel at home. New photos of the interior and exterior will be available on our website soon. Keep an eye out.
Call our staff to enquire on availability on 0800 101 332.
Photo Competition
We are running a photo competition and we would like any of your holiday snaps this season to add to our collection. We want some great pics of you all for a photoboard at the base and for our future advertising. The prize for the winning photo is an extra day free with your next charter with us. (Minimum of a 3 day charter booked required to be eligible - See conditions on our special offers page on our website )
Here are a few suggestions (and rules!),
- We need fishing photos, diving photos, cruising photos, sailing shots, scenic photos etc.
- If a boat is in the shot, it has to be from one that is in our current fleet.
- No “naughty” photos!!
- Mark the email/attachments as “Photo competition summer 2007/08”
- Keep the file size down under 250KB.
We look forward to seeing your enrties
Happy snapping!
Summer Specials
We are offering a FREE DAY on any charter of 6 days or more. This works out to around a 15% discount.
DECEMBER - TOPAZ "XMAS AND NEW YEAR" special - 15% discount on 5 days or more. Charter "TOPAZ" for 5 days or more and we will give you a 15% discount. Send an enquiry
JANUARY - Chieftain 38ft's - JANUARY special - 15% discount on 4 days or more. Charter "Chinook" or "Cheiftain" for 4 days or more and we will give you a 15% discount. Not available during Xmas/New Year period (24th Dec until 8th Jan). Both boats are nearly fully booked for February but still a few spots left for January so call us to enquire. Send an enquiry
FEBRUARY - "Runabouts" special - 15% discount on 4 days or more. Charter "Orion" or "Huntsman" or Compass Rose" for 3 days or more and we will give you a 15% discount. Send an enquiry
New additions to our current vessels
We have had a very very busy winter and spring updating most of our vessels in our fleet. Here are a few upgrades to some of your fleet favourites.
- EJ - has a new diesel heater and a new Raymarine C80 chart plotter/radar.
- Metaxa and St Paul - New mainsail and new ovens.
- St Paul and Panache Cat - new dinghies.
- Windermere and U4ria - lots of new things.
- Phoenix and Southern Endurance - both full hull paint jobs
- Southern Endurance - new fridge, shore power.
- Chieftain and St Paul - new genoas.
- Chinook - new interior, new oven.
- Zachary Hicks and Chinook - new deck paint jobs.
- Huntsman - new interior.
- Indulgence - new chartplotter.
- Phoenix - new prop (faster).
All boats have had a full annual maintenance program underway over the winter and spring and all are ready for you when you arrive. There are still many more new items to be added to our vessels as we intend to provide the best product to all our clients wherever possible.
Fishing
One of our fleet favourites, E.J , has been fitted with and brand new Raymarine colour chart plotter/radar as well as a diesel heater for the winter/early spring season to keep you warm and cosy. So with those perfect clear and calm days during winter/early spring you can keep your shorts and t-shirt on in the evening now! Don't forget we have a fully stocked shop with all the gear, tackle and bait you will need for your trip here in the Sounds. We have over 40 rods for hire and the shop has grown since last season and has been updated with the latest stock. The best time of the year for crayfish is right now as the females will be in eggs shortly so give us a call to organize your trip. We specialise in fishing and diving trips for all group levels. Send an enquiry
Diving
For all you underwater enthusiasts, there will be scheduled dive trips on Topaz this winter. 
A professionally guided two-day trip to Port Gore will give you the chance to explore the Mikhail Lermontov besides other interesting dive sites. The cost for this is $595 pp and this includes all your dive equipment and meals. (Conditions will apply). We can also sort out longer trips to D'Urville Island. Please give us a call or email if you are interested. Dive Marlborough has settled well into our building and they are even expanding taking over more space out the back. We have special rates we can give all Compass Charters crew so let us know in advance so we can get all your diving needs looked after and organised. A compressor is on site in our building and NITROX is available this season for the first time.
New for 2007/08! - We can organize to have you picked up from your vessel by Dive Marlborough on their boat and take you diving and then drop you back to your boat afterwards. All your gear and equipment can be organised here at our base before the start of your trip so you don't have to carry anything on board. So if you have some of your crew who are not divers they can relax safely at the mooring for the morning while you are out exploring underwater.
Seal Swimming
We are proud to announce that we are providing Seal Swimming trips starting this season with a qualified and licensed diver/guide. A fantastic experience snorkeling with and watching seals in their own environment playing. All wetsuits and snorkeling equipment is provided. The cost for this is $95 per person. Minimum group is 4 people but they don't all have to come from the one boat/yacht or launch you are on. You can book ahead in time and then we can arrange for the guide with fast RIB to meet you at your mooring and take you for your adventure. You should allow approximately one hr for this adventure. If you are not on a boat with us then thats fine as well. Contact our office and you will set off from Waikawa Marina in the fast boat with your diver-guide.
Charter News and developments If you have always wanted to give sailing a go or are a bit rusty then we have a few programs for the spring/summer, which may appeal to you.
The Academy
Follow this link http://www.rpnyc.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=13&Itemid=54 to get to the courses offered by the Academy based within the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The courses are run by Mathew Wood over in Wellington. But when Day skipper courses are held, Matt uses various yachts in our fleet here in the Queen Charlotte Sound. The Day skipper course held is the "YNZ National Sailing Scheme Level 3" Day Skipper course. Day Skipper is a direct follow-on from the Next Tack course and enables participants to gain the YNZ National Sailing Scheme Level 3 Cruising Skills (Skipper) Certificate.
Please contact Matt Wood for more details at http://www.rpnyc.org.nz/index.php?option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=3&Itemid=114
Learn to Sail
Learn the basic skills needed for competent crew level. They will usually run Monday through to Saturday with one of our 5 professional skippers, but call us if you need some flexibility. Contact us for further details.
If you prefer a short cruise with less or no emphasis on sailing tuition and skills spend 1 to 3 days with us in Queen Charlotte Sound. It's a wonderful way to spend a weekend. We also have a skipper who specialises in nature cruises for groups of up to 6.
Single Sailors
We have several enquiries from single sailors who want to team up with a crew of other single sailors. We will provide the skipper and will put together a crew for you. This takes a little longer to organize as we have to get all you singles together but once everybody has a date in mind then off we go! Please enquire for further details on a great holiday in this area .
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Prices 3 Days $650, 5 Days $990, Discounts 10% off for each: 90 day advance booking; 2 or more persons. Minimum of 4 people required per trip. |
Catamaran cruising
If you want to cruise in luxury, comfort and style then we are running daily skippered charters aboard Panache Cat this season. For a great day out on Queen Charlotte Sound taking in all the sights, this luxurious vessel sets a fast and stable pace on the water. We can take up to groups of 24 or less. Professional MSA qualified skipper and chef (if required) to cater to your needs.
Perfect for corporate events and team building, sheet in that sail, hoist the main, take the helm to feel that exhilarating feeling of gliding past the islands – Panache Cat will be the highlight of your trip here in the Sounds. Picnic lunch and refreshments included.
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Prices Daily rate per person. $195.00 includes picnic lunch and soft beverages. Discounts 10% off for each 60 day advance booking with 4 or more persons in one party. Minimum of 8 people required per trip aboard Panache Cat. Qualified Skipper is included in price. "Treat yourself to the finer end of life - you deserve it!" |
New Additions to our Team
We are very pleased to welcome Ade and welcome back Blair to our crew. Both are young and enthusiastic and have lots to offer our clients and our team.
Blair, he is back again for his 4th season! We cant keep him away! Blair has been down at chef school since last season in his 3rd year there and has qualified now. He is spending the summer with us before he heads off to Wellington and the big city lights in some flash restaurant chefing away. We are glad to have him back to help us through the busy summer here this year. Blair will be servicing/valeting the boats and their many systems, meeting you at the fuel jetty, parking your boats, picking you up from the ferry or airport and briefing you on your arrival.
Adrian, has a background in engineering. He and his wife are travelling NZ at the moment and has put their feet down here in the Marlborough Sounds for the moment. So Ade is helping out with the servicing and valeting of the fleet.
Anna, Mike, Louise and Aaron make up the rest of the team here at Compass Charters and all are looking forward to seeing you all here in the Marlborough Sounds again this season.
That's it from us here for the time being until our "Autumn newsletter" in March. We all hope you are looking forward to a great summer on the water!
Seas the day! – from the crew at Compass Charters.
The Compass Charters Crew
Waikawa Marina * PO Box 334 * Picton * Toll Free 0800 101332 * Ph +64 (0)3 5738332 * Fax +64 (0)3 5738587 * Mob 027 4340247
Email: crew@compass-charters.co.nz Web: www.compass-charters.co.nz