Island Cruising NZ has announced that it has acquired the Down Under Rally, in a move that marks a significant expansion for the New Zealand based rally organiser according to Managing Director Viki Moore.

Published 6 months ago

In announcing the acquisition, Viki Moore said the development marks a significant expansion for Island Cruising (ICNZ) and reinforces its commitment to providing exceptional yacht rallies in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The Down Under Rally was founded by John Hembrow in 2015. Since then, John Hembrow, with the assistance of his wife, Leanne Hembrow, has run a variety of yacht rallies and events both within Australia and the South Pacific.

During this time, the Down Under Rally has provided the owners of cruising yachts with the opportunity to experience the cruising grounds of this beautiful part of the world, connect with the people of these locations and experience their unique cultures all in the company of like-minded individuals.

As well as offering opportunities for Australian sailors to voyage to the South Pacific from Australia with the Go East Rally and NC2V Rally and, more recently, within Australia as part of the Beyond The Barrier Rally, the Down Under Rally’s highly acclaimed Go West Rally encourages international cruisers to sail to Australia from the South Pacific.

This means cruisers can spend the cyclone season enjoying the Australian hospitality whilst cruising the East Coast of Australia. Most Go West Rally participants also take this opportunity to carry out maintenance to their vessels in readiness for their onward voyages into Asia and beyond.

With the acquisition of The Down Under Rally, Island Cruising is poised to further enhance the connection between Australian and New Zealand cruisers and to bring some fresh ideas and energy to the rallies that both companies offer.

Viki Moore, the owner and visionary behind Island Cruising, has expressed her enthusiasm for this strategic acquisition. She stated, “We are thrilled to welcome the Down Under Rally members and supporters into the Island Cruising community.

“John and Leanne have done an outstanding job of creating and growing the Down Under Rally and we are committed to building on their legacy by continuing to offer sailors unforgettable experiences in the South Pacific,” she said.

Commenting on the sale, John and Leanne Hembrow said they would like to express their gratitude to all those who supported the Down Under Rally since its inception by either becoming a partner business, participating in a yacht rally, or becoming a Down Under Rally Member.

When asked what the future holds in store, John said “at the moment it is personally uncertain.”

“However, what I can say with certainty is that creating and running The Down Under Rally has been the most personally rewarding experience of my career. I am very proud of the achievements of the Down Under Rally over the past few years. The memories and the many friendships that I have made along the way are very precious to me.

“I am confident that the combination of both Island Cruising and Down Under Rally will bring some great benefits to all our existing members and partner businesses. This is a positive step forward for both businesses, and I look forward to seeing the Down Under Rally flourish under Viki Moore’s leadership.”

Island Cruising NZ has been running yacht rallies for over 30 years and  is renowned for its passion for cruising and promoting yachting tourism in the South Pacific in a sustainable way.

Viki Moore is the fifth owner of the business and said ICNZ aims to foster ongoing relationships with the communities they visit, educating sailors on how to be culturally sensitive and being aware of and reducing the impact they have on the environment.

The company operates with a strong commitment to safety, camaraderie and sustainable practices in the Maritime Industry and their efforts in this sphere have recently been officially recognised, with a Yachting New Zealand Excellence award as well as Best Yacht Rally 2023 in the Global Nautical Tourism Awards.

“The acquisition of the Down Under Rally is the beginning of a new and exciting phase for both companies,” said Viki.

“Island Cruising is looking forward to the opportunity to build on the solid foundation that John and Leanne Hembrow have established over the last eight years.”

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Island Cruising NZ – Rallies are booming

Entries for yacht rallies are booming like never before. Cruisers recognise the benefits of sailing in company with other like-minded people, along with all the other value, security and resources that joining a rally brings. Unlike other rallies, Island Cruising operates a flexible model where people have the option to sail with the group or to choose their own dates and destinations.

There is a large focus on pre-departure preparations to ensure that the skipper, crew and vessel are well-prepared for the adventures ahead. New Zealand registered vessels need to adhere to a strict set of safety regulations, which are essentially a ‘gold standard’ warrant of fitness check before they head offshore. Regular training modules and Zoom calls, along with valuable expertise and some great discounts from the rally partners, make the pre-departure planning a breeze. Social events enable the rally participants to meet each other and forge new friendships before they head off.

While on passage, rally participants are watched via a PredictWind Rally Tracker. They are provided with daily weather forecasts and the option to check in with the Island Cruising Passage Guardian or daily SSB Radio scheds with Gulf Harbour Radio. Should they break anything on-passage, Moore is at the other end of the phone to help line up service technicians or send up replacement parts to be available when they arrive.

The rally also provides support with completing all the paperwork and entry formalities, welcome events and other optional tours and activities, as well as some great discounts and special offers from local businesses. Cruisers can choose to participate or head off to explore on their own. A detailed rally guidebook gives them tips on places to go and where to find provisions and repairs. There is also often the option to join exclusive entry points into remote islands, where Island Cruising fly the officials out to facilitate a special clearance for the rally participants.

In 2023, there were 93 yachts at the Island Cruising rally, including 17 families and over 38 children. An additional 77 vessels participated in the various rallies held by the Down Under Rally. The combination of both businesses will see Island Cruising become one of the largest yacht rally businesses worldwide.

Vessels range from modest 35’ yachts on a tight budget through to 75’ exploration vessels and modern foiling power catamarans, and everyone gets along to support one another.

“The camaraderie between the rally participants is incredible to be a part of,” Moore says. “The social connection and friendships that are made are priceless, and this aspect is part of the reason we get people returning to join the rally again year after year.”

When things go wrong, Moore is there to assist. “All kinds of issues crop up during the rally,” she says. “Be it health, family issues back home, breakages and issues with the boat, etc, we are always on the other end of the line to assist in whatever way we can. Often, we can arrange to take care of the boat and enable the people to jump on the first flight home, which is a huge weight off people’s minds when they have other things going on.”

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About Viki Moore

Moore has had an interesting career in the Maritime space. She is a former Director of Yachting New Zealand, was the On Water Operations Manager for SailGP, founder of Women Who Sail New Zealand, Regional Rear Commodore for the Ocean Cruising Club and had a career in Tourism and Politics prior to taking on Island Cruising. She has been recognised for her efforts in advocating for cruisers stuck in New Zealand during COVID-19 with an OCC Award and a Yachting New Zealand Excellence Award in 2016 for her volunteer work in sailing in Canterbury.

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Related Links:

• Island Cruising
• Island Cruising Facebook
• Down Under Rally

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