The Second ICOYC Commodores’ Cruise hosted by Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, initiated by Royal Thames Yacht Club, was a resounding success - going beyond normal “charter cruising in company” in many important ways. 65 sailors from seven ICOYC member clubs on 13 boats took part in a seven day cruise in the beautiful Bay of Islands, a four hour drive north of Auckland, NZ. Crew ages ranged from 4 to 86 years old and vessels ranged from the Tall Ship, the 145 ft Soren Larsen to the 32 ft Alibi making this a truly inclusive event for all members of ICOYC member clubs.

Beyond the excellent cruising grounds, the hosts, RNZYS’s  PC David Charlesworth and his wife Bronwen, had arranged:

• a guided tour of the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum
• a chance to join RNZYS Friday night rum racing
• on the water viewing of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Auckland
• a sumptuous formal dinner hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
• a Maori dance demonstration and Hangi (a traditional feast)
• visits to a private botanical garden and a separate beach party with talks from the owners
• a day of informal fun racing (won by the youngest sailors!)
• a visit to the Waitangi Treaty grounds and a supper at Roberton Island with a talk on Captain Cook
• many informal walks and cocktail parties
• and, (showing a magic touch!) seven consecutive days of sunny weather and moderate winds.

Watch the ICOYC website and the ICOYC Facebook page (click here) for more detailed reports and photos.