Sugar Shack left her anchorage at Urupukapuka and headed to Pomare Bay which is close to the charming town of Russell.

We landed the dinghy at the Russell Boating Club and walked 15-minutes into town.  

This is a super cute place with loads of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and tourist attractions.

We shared a super tasty burrata pizza at the famous Hones Garden!  They have a lovely outdoor patio and beautiful ambiance.

Matt and I took Jason around town to all of the quirky stops we love.  The boys fried their brains with the Easter bunny and posed for me at the docks.

We then rewarded ourselves with some famously delicious New Zealand ice cream.

Paihia Dinner

Later that night we met our friends Jim and Pam (sv Roam).  We all took the dinghies to the Russell Boating Club, walked into town and hopped on the ferry.

The feery costs $10NZD to take the 15 minute ferry ride from Russell to Paihia. 

The girls walked around and did a little shopping while the boys enjoyed a frosty beer.

We then at like royalty at Bad Habits.  Matt and Jason shared a huge tomahawk steak, Jim had a scotch filet, and Pam and I enjoyed some chicken tacos.

This was our last night with Jason onboard.  The boys celebrated with Diplomatico rum. 

The next morning we all got up before dawn.  Matt took Jason in to the Russell ferry dock at 6:30am.  He caught the 7am ferry to Paihia then jumped on the 7:45am bus to Auckland.  The poor guy had a long way to go to get home but the smile never fades.

It was such a pleasure having Jason onboard.  He intuitively knew what to do on our boat.  The few things he did not know, he asked and picked up very quickly.  He was extremely helpful, easygoing, and very fun to be around!

We are hoping he comes back soon!

Q&A with Jason

Before Jason left I asked him a few questions.

Share your most memorable moments?

• After I got sick on our night passage I was able to fully take in the beauty of sailing at night.
• Waking up to the beautiful bay at Whangamumu (after arriving in the dark the night before).
• All the lovely people (cruisers and locals)
• All of the fabulous walks (the Hatea Loop, the Whangarei Hike, Whangamumu walk, Urupukapuka hike)

What surprised you the most?

• The big difference between chartering and cruising full time.
• The amount of work you have to do to live this life.  You have to wear many hats (chef, mechanic, plumber, electrician, builder, captain) to keep all systems running smoothly.
• Realization of how really far away you are to get help to do work or get work done.

What did you learn sailing on Sugar Shack?

• Sailing with the windvane.  
  • Cruisers only sail with the windvane when they are far away from land and have many miles to sail.  You steer to the wind to keep the sails full as opposed to sailing to the course.
• Impressed with how Matt and Christine anchor.  Sugar Shack has a well practiced routine using hand signals to communicate 
• Set the anchor alarm as soon as the anchor drops, not after it is set.
• Surprised by the rationing of everything.  On a 7-day charter you run the water like you do on land and just fill up half way through the trip.  On a live aboard you are rationing water, fuel, and power.
• Learned how to use the German sheet set up with the main sheet in a triangle vs on a traveler.
• Cooking matters – you have to be a good cook to eat well.  Very shocked at the meals and baked goods that were prepared in such a small space.
• Sailing under the Hook Bridge in Whangarei.  Never had a bridge opening to allow me to sail under.
• No two boats are alike even when they are the exact same make and model.  Every owner quickly makes their boat their home.
• Gained appreciation for having complete buy in from both people to live this life.

We are hoping that Jason returns to do his open water passage with us in the future.

We had Jason onboard Sugar Shack from 20 May to 30 May 2026.