Update: Getting Ready for French Pass

Everything is packed to take Rogue around from Nelson to Picton this weekend, starting early Thursday morning. Current forecast is calling for 55 knot winds off the top of D'Urville which was the original course. Though I'm not crazy about doing it with an 8/hp engine, French Pass is the new course and will be hit just before slack tide.

Have spoken with the Marlborough harbour master for advice and he said they'll be waiting to hear from us as we make our approach. Once through the pass, I'll anchor in the shadow of D'Urville and wait for Friday's gale to blow through before leaving Saturday morning to try and clear Cape Jackson before the second storm front comes through.

At the end of the day, it has to be done. Someone apparently tried to steal a few antique bronze fittings off Rogue last weekend, it's costing an arm and a leg to keep her there, and the people who can fix the leak are in Picton. Picton is also half way home to Wellington.