As the Kate lies on her new mooring in the Waiheke Marina, she adds classic beauty and interest to the harbour – a valuable part of our maritime heritage and a reminder of how things used to be.
She is asking us to take her sailing in her new role as a vehicle for maritime education, and she has so much to teach us. The short film below shows the fun and excitement of safely learning the ropes aboard.
Explore our Spring Sailing Programme now.
Become a Mate of the Kate
We’re seeking regular donors, to help keep the Kate going.
By making a regular donation, you can become a Mate of the Kate and join us on regular sailing trips.
We have a pool of competent crew, ready to welcome guests on our regular day sails and our annual ‘thank you sail’ in company with other Mates’ boats.
We have been blessed with several staunch supporters throughout the restoration, some of whom continue to contribute regularly. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly valued, and put to good use.
Donations are tax deductible, so effectively what you donate is two thirds of what we get.
The more you can give, the better job we can do for our young people.
The Kate Sailing Programme Spring 2026
All sailings are free – bring your lunch!
For each sailing we can take up to 6 crew in addition to the skipper and mate.
If you, or someone you know, would like to come, please contact book your place here.
- Sunday 20th September: Open Day at the Marina, 1 pm – 3 pm.
- Monday 5th October To Half Moon Bay for survey inspections, 8 am.
- Saturday 10th October – day sail 10 am – 4 pm.
- Sunday 18th October – day sail 10 am – 4 pm.
- Saturday 24th October: Boat gear sale at the Boating Club, 9.30 – 12.
- Monday 26th October – Labour day sail 9.30 am – 4.30 pm.
- Friday 30th October – Sunday 1st November CYA spring rally.
- Sunday 8th November – day sail 10 am – 4 pm.
- Thursday 26th November – evening sail 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm.
- Sunday 26th November – day sail 10 am – 4 pm.
- Thursday 10th December evening sail 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm.
- Sunday 20th December – Solstice sail 9.30 am – 4.30 pm.
Activities & topics for learning
If it’s too windy or rainy to go sailing, we meet on board for lunch and then learn and practise some of these essential maritime skills:
- Safety aboard and explanation of Man Overboard drill.
- Rope work – belaying, swigging, coiling, knots, handling the mainsheet.
- Dinghy rowing – style, trim, coming alongside, boarding.
- Chart work – latitude and longitude, buoys and beacons, passage planning.
- Swimming, dinghy capsize drill.
- Hoisting the dinghy on board, and launching it.
- Clouds and how they affect weather
- Winds and tides – how they affect weather
- Mooring and anchoring
Welcome aboard!
