There are probably four main options for anyone planning to leave the boat for a longer time in the Auckland area:

Gulf Harbour – near the end of Whangaparoa Peninsular 50km from Auckland.

West Harbour – up under the harbour bridge towards Herald Island past the end of the Northwestern Motorway.

Half Moon Bay – Out East in Pakuranga some distance from the city but ferry available.

Bayswater Marina – In Shoal Bay definitely the closest to the city.

Cost comparison for a 43-foot boat:

…………….Bayswater…..Gulfharbour…HalfMoon…Westharbour

Haulout/Return $230.00 $230.00 $252.00 $273.00

Waterblast $65.00 $65.00 $70.00 $68.00

Hardstand 180 day $5,130.00 $5,130.00 $3,100.00 $5,940.00

Total cost $5,425.00 $5,425.00 $3,422.00 $6,281.00

I did visit Bayswater: there were only three small keelers on the hardstand, I don’t think it is really geared up for larger craft. No shops nearby and the repair shop seemed to cater for Runabouts rather than yachts. One other possibility is Okahu Bay as it is very central. There is no marina there and the haulout is done with a winch. I had a feeling that the boats hauled out there are normally under 40′ but I guess it all comes down to displacement. Okahu Bay has only swing moorings so if you wanted a marina berth it would have to be elsewhere. There are good things about it: The marine railway is OK, they are used to dealing with overseas yachts, the site is very close to downtown Auckland, and there are many yachts stored on the hard. However, the security is not too good (no fences, no gates, the site is on a well-travelled road), and the cost is not cheap— the price would run NZ$17/day payable 2 months in advance. The manager said that security was OK as he lived on site and there was a security firm who drove around during the night. For further info, the telephone number for “the landing” is +64 9 520 3638, or e-mail John at [email protected].

We visited Bayswater Marina but the marina didn’t seem suitable to us— they have a very small storage area on the hard; it contains a few small power boats and three old sailboats. No fence and no security. The area is located next to the parking lot where I assume people park to take the ferry to downtown Auckland.

Another option is Westpark Marina, but that is expensive. This marina is a 20-minute drive from downtown Auckland and one would need a car. There is a shopping centre nearby and this is a more down-home marina than Half Moon Bay with many Kiwi liveaboards.

It seems that boat storage in Auckland on the hard is more expensive than a marina slip. If you want to take down your mast (can be done using the gantry at Westhaven Marina) you can come up the creek to Span Farm at high tide and for $50 a month get a mud birth in the mangroves or go onto the hard. We pay $250 a month for our spot. The main problem is getting out of the water. No travel lift— they use a truck and haul boats out on a large travel trailer. It’s very much a Kiwi do it yourself type of enterprise. Everyone pitches in and it go surprisingly well — they actually move boats fairly easily. Very good security and the place has character.

Bill Tribe s.v. Apollo