MMMM Muesli bars!

A six thirty pm Friday callout guaranteed that some crew members were going to be on the "See-no-food" diet, hadn't had dinner and the muesli bar box on board was going to get raided!

We were dispatched to find a 7m Surtees that was returning past Gt Barrier, after a (not particularly successful) day game fishing, when the outboard went into "Sulk" mode.

They were limping towards Auckland at about 5-6 knots, and called up from Horn Rock for assistance. We aimed a bit further south and met up closer to Anchorite Rock, to hook up a towline.

Some masterful pole work from Bruce R who attached a carabiner that was a very tight fit in the towing eye, that was only a smidge bigger, but fit it did. (Is it that the makers of aluminium boats don't ever think they'll need a tow?)

Then off we went towards the Sky Tower at a sedate 10 knots. Despite a grumpy forecast, the wind hadn't picked up much, we had great moonlight, excellent visibility and perfect night for a putter towards the city. Ships going the other way, gave us something to avoid!

Several hours later, the good folks from North Shore Rescue met us near Rangitoto to take over the last part of the tow and get the boat back to Outboard Boating Club.

Thanks team - although the muesli bars were starting to lose their appeal.

The trip north and home was both quick and smooth, we were back onto our berth around 2330pm.Thanks to the crew of Rob, Bruce R and Bruce S.

Note! If you are heading out on the water over the long weekend, make sure you get an up-to-date forecast - it's not looking great!