Christchurch
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Christchurch and Banks Peninsula Cruising Guide
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| 43°31.8′S, 172°37.22′E |
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Two major recent earthquakes, the latest a Richter 6.3 on 22 Feb, 2011, have left Christchurch city in a mess. Until normality is restored it should be realized that some facilities aren't readily available. A further series of quakes on June 13 shook the battered town, with the largest registering 6.0 |
Overview
Christchurch is serviced by the commercial port of Lyttelton. Lyttelton Harbour lies in one of two extinct volcanoes which forms Banks Peninsula named after Sir Joseph Banks, the famous Botanist and sponsor of Captain Cook's first voyage of discovery. Lyttelton is an historic port town which received the first immigrant ships organised by the Canterbury Corporation. The area was in fact settled much earlier by the pre-Adamite settlers, as early as the 1840's. Mariori lived in the Banks Penisula area for centuries before the English and French settlers and the region has many interesting cruising destinations including the pituresque Akaroa Harbour.
A Banks Peninsula Cruising Guide is available to purchase from Naval Point Club, this 97 page publication covers the many bays and anchorages on the peninsula rarely visited by foreign cruising yachts. This guide also covers the entire east coast of the south island from the Marlborough Sounds to Bluff.
Cruising the area
Local Weather
Christchurch has a temperate climate, with maximum temperatures in January ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59–77°F) (often reaching 30°C/86°F or higher), and maximum temperatures in July ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41–59°F). The summer climate is often moderated by a sea breeze from the northeast, but a record temperature of 41.6°C (107°F) was reached in February 1973. A notable feature of the weather is the nor'wester, a hot turbulent wind that occasionally reaches storm force.
In winter it is common for the temperature to fall below 0°C (32°F) at night. There are on average 36 days of ground frost per year. Snow falls occur on average once or twice a year in the hill suburbs and about once or twice every two years on the plain.
Sources for weather forecasts:
- MetService - Christchurch Recreational Marine
- MetSerivce - Sea Area Conway (North)
- MetService - Sea Area Rangitata (South)
- Lyttelton Port Company Website
Charts
- LINZ Chart Catalogue
- NZ632 - Banks Peninsula
- NZ6321 - Lyttleton Harbour
- NZ6324 - Akaroa Harbour
Radio Nets
See New Zealand
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
See Chart NZ6321 - Lyttleton Harbour
Describe...
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Lyttleton is the Customs check-in point for Christchurch. (Lyttelton Port Company Website)
Offshore Islands and Groups
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Naval Point Yacht Club is located in Lyttelton Harbor and has approximately 900 members. The club has an active racing and social scene and employs one full time and 2 part time staff to manage club activity's, Magazine Bay marina and the club haul out yard. The club has swing moorings located around the peninsula.
- Magazine Bay Marina, walk on access pile marina with water and power managed by Naval Point Club for the Christchurch City Council, visiting berths are available contact the club. (Note. Due to the floating breakwater for this marina being destroyed in 2000 it is recommended to relocate if a strong southerly is forecast to the lee of Quail Island, Inner Harbor or Swing Mooring. This also applys to anchoring off Magazine Bay marina}.
- Dampier Bay Inner Shipping Harbor pile moorings, safe in all and temporary berths sometimes available. Phone Manager 0275835831
- Akaroa Cruising Club is located near the Akaroa township and has a active racing and cruising scene. The club can organise temporary swing moorings and has a pile jetty.
Anchorages
- Anchorages around the Peninsula are best seen by buying a copy of the Banks Peninsula Cruising Guide
- Lyttelton harbor has excellent holding with a sticky mud bottom, various anchorages for different wind conditions.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Repairs/Yards
- Naval Point Club haul out yard has 23 cradles and is available for yachts up to 14 tonne and 2.2m draft. The yard is serviced by local boat building company's
- Davie Norris Boatbuilders
- Franklin Boatbuilders
Marine Chandlers
SailMakers
Marine Electrical
- Ken Watson Marine Services Ltd. Contact 03329 4464
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- Fuel must be brought by jerrycan from the city.
- Water
- Water is available from Magazine bay marina, the floating jetty in the inner harbor and from the Akaroa cruising club jetty
- Electricity
- Electricity is available in the Magazine bay marina
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Eateries
Internet/WiFi
Available?
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
?
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
References & Publications
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 2011, Pedro , land based visit.
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