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As we all know, not all yachting is racing around the buoys. For many the fun of cruising is what ‘spins their wheels’ and in the deep south with an abundance of deep lakes in what could arguably be some of the country’s most spectacular scenery there are a band of enthusiastic Trailer Yachties that are always keen to tow their craft inland to one of the lakes.
This Easter gone by saw two lakes being preferred by two cruise fleets, Lake Benmore and Lake Te Anau. They are quite different lakes with different conditions but both affording absolutely rewarding scenery miles away from the beaten track and even a bit out of range for cell phone coverage in places as well.
Lake Benmore offers a central Otago type climate with a variety of interesting bays and safe spots to camp for the night. The lake is man-made resulting from the construction of the Benmore Dam in the early 1960s. The Dam is the biggest of the three dams making up the Waitaki Power Scheme on the Waitaki River and is the largest earth filled water retaining structure in New Zealand and the second largest hydro dam in New Zealand. The lake is often cruised on by the Otago Trailer Yacht Squadron as it is only a couple of hours drive from Dunedin.
Lake Te Anau offers a very different experience as was outlined in a recent edition of Boating New Zealand. Lake Te Anau forms part of the eastern boundary of Fiordland and allows the cruising yachtie to get of places that are only accessible by boat. Snuggled up against the towering majestic peaks of the national park and thick dense native bush this really is another world the locals down this way are very proud and protective of.
Both cruises this Easter followed the normal format where a pre-selected destination for the day is picked and eventually the yachts will arrive to anchor bow out and some stern lines ashore to allow easy access ashore – you don’t have to worry about the tide going out over night! A camp fire is built and a relaxing social time is spent under the stars and in good company.
If anyone would like to give the lakes a go for cruising but may be a bit unsure at this stage there are plenty down this way that can lend an abundance of helpful advice. Please contact graeme@yachtingnz.org.nz to be put in contact with those in the cruising know.
We have a couple of written and photographic accounts from guys that were on each cruise:
Easter Cruise; Lake Te Anau 2014, From Colin McDonald Noelex 25 ‘Golliwog’
Cruising Benmore, From Rolly Hill, Otago Trailer Yacht Squadron cruising on a Noelex 25, ‘Buoy Racer’
