Question……
Where were you on Tuesday February 13th at 11am?
(Sounds like interrogation from a B grade detective movie, doesn’t it?)

Answer:…..
I don’t know about you, but I was playing Truant, and having one helluva good time doing it, too!

It was forecast to be a good weather week in the middle of our New Zealand summer. I had some days off work to use up, so on Monday 12th I packed a pile of gear into my Welsford design 11’6” Truant, (named ‘Truantsea’ because of occasions like this), hitched up the trailer, and headed for Lake Tarawera. The Lake is near the tourist spot of Rotorua,100km from home in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s well stocked with hatchery and natural rainbow trout and adjacent to the remains of Mount Tarawera which erupted in 1886. Geothermal hot springs feed streams and the lake edge in a number of areas, the most popular being ‘Hot Water’ beach – on the 5km western arm of the lake, about 10km southwest from the main launching area.

Geothermal hot springs feed streams and the lake edge in a number of areas, the most popular being ‘Hot Water’ beach – on the 5km western arm of the lake.

After launching, I chose to motor across the middle of the lake since the wind was light and right on the nose. The 2hp Honda 4 stroke motor comfortably pushed Truantsea at 4 knots – the trip to the campsite on ‘warm’ ground at Hot Water beach taking just under an hour, and using less than its 1 litre tankful.

There was only 1 young couple camped there – about 100 metres away, otherwise the place was mine. I unpacked the boat, pitched the igloo tent, assembled the 2 pce mast, fitted the rudder and raised my newly modified Gaff rig sail. This was my first try with the rig after changing from a successful, but very powerful Bermudan rig sail on a 6 metre curved mast. I had cut down and re-sewed a standard shape sail from a 13 foot yacht as an experiment. The wind was a little stronger now and gusty, so I was relieved how ‘soft’ the gaff rig was in the gusts. When a gust came, it seemed as though it gave forward drive, before leaning the boat. Very different to the previous rig that created heel at the slightest breath. Although I did immediately notice the lesser windward ability of the new rig. Nonetheless I prefer the nicer nature of the gaff set up for my level of experience.

The original, successful, but very powerful Bermudan rig sail on a 6 metre curved mast.

After a leisurely evening meal cooked on the gas cooker, some ‘red’ and a soak in one of the lakeside natural pools, it was bedtime. The wind dropped, the waves subsided, the crickets chirped and the native NZ owls (Ruru) hooted and sent me off to a comfortable nights sleep on the ‘warmed’ airbed. The wind returned the following day around mid morning, so it was sail-up again and off for a decent look around.

I tacked the 5km out of the western arm, then zig-zagged my way around the lake for maybe 2 hours (approx 6km), to the outlet of the lake on its south eastern shore. Here there is another space for camping and bush walks along the river - which in places flows underground, bursting out of the ground in waterfalls and rapids. Spectacular! After a hikers lunch from my food box, I again raised the sail and had a one-set run to the mouth of the western arm. The breeze was now 5-10 knots variable, but the sail handled the fluctuations very, very comfortably and the little boat scooted along well for that hour or so.

A photo taken from a previous trip. We are truly blessed with such accessible natural beauty!!!

After turning back into the Ariki arm, it was a different matter. I tacked and tacked again. The wind disappeared and came back probably 20 times over the next 2 hours. By 4pm it had basically disappeared, so I anchored up at the campsite and reached for a (still) cold can from the chilly bin, and skimmed a few pages of the book I’d brought. The wind returned as a strong steady breeze about 6.30pm, so I had great fun for the next hour or so ,trying various levels of sail tightness and trying her out at all points of the compass. I was getting to really like this gaff arrangement.

I had cut down and re-sewed a standard shape sail from a 13 foot yacht as an experiment.

Again, another hot soak in a rock pool, more food, more drink, then more sleep followed. Close to heaven, this!

Another spectacular dawn on the mountain and a light 5-6knot breeze set up the next day on the lake. It only took 15 minutes to sail a dead run, out onto the main lake. Then about 35 minutes to get to the eastern shore at Humphreys Bay. Here is the 3rd camping spot on the lake and the start of a track that leads to adjacent Lake Okaitaina. The track was originally used by native Maori tribesmen to carry wooden dugout canoes 8km overland. A group of teenage schoolchildren with 2 guides/tutors, was preparing to do just that with their plastic touring kayaks on wheeled cradles.

Another spectacular dawn on the mountain and a light 5-6knot breeze set up the next day on the lake.

I leisurely sailed back to the camp again, grabbed the fishing gear, and with the sail down - using the motor, trolled along the shore with a lure in the hope of hooking a nice trout. I was lucky on the previous trip (3 weeks before Christmas), but no such luck this time. Even the charter operators I spoke to were having to resort to depth sounders and fish finders to even get a strike this summer. Yet, Lake Rotorua itself – 15km away was having a really good season.

Later in the early evening (you guessed it) – another hot soak. This time I motored 5 minutes to a small stream fed by a hot spring. It was only 2 feet deep, but with clear water, a clean gravel bottom, and overhanging trees for shade and birdsong, it was a magical spot. Over 2 hours, only one other boat came along to disturb the peace and quiet. Then as was the pattern – back to the tent for dinner, a long drink and a warm mattress.

Truantsea's interior

The following morning was yet another spectacular dawn, however it was time to head home. After packing tent, airbed, cooker and utensils, clothes, fishing gear, chilly bin, rubbish bag (you must remove everything) I was amazed just how much stuff I had brought along. It seemed equally incredible that all except 2 items were stowable in the 4 watertight hatches of the little 11 ½ foot boat (see pic). In addition, the balance of the boat under sail seemed unaffected by the load. Even having an anchor and 8 metres of chain stowed forward seemed not to matter.

This time it was a tacking battle to sail out to the main lake as the wind was now from the Northeast, but we clearing the opening after about 90 minutes. On the main lake the wind diminished until at about 2/3 of the way across the lake, it died completely. After waiting, with the sail flapping lazily for 20 minutes or so, I gave up, fired up the little Honda, and was back at the launch ramp 15 minutes later.

After packing tent, airbed, cooker and utensils, clothes, fishing gear, chilly bin, rubbish bag (you must remove everything) I was amazed just how much stuff I had brought along.

What a way to spend the midweek. What a pleasure yachting is!
I am happy with my trial Gaff Rig sail.
I am thrilled (after 2 years) with my little Welsford Truant.
It is a capable boat. I’ve had it in 1½ metre choppy seas. I have taken it up narrow, shallow streams.
I’ve sailed it in light airs and strong gusty winds.
I have caught fish from it in freshwater and saltwater.
I really thank its designer for the well thought out design and its spirited performance.
But above all………….
I’m sure I will continue to be guilty of Truantsea for many years to come.