After we left Slipper Island we headed for Tauranga Marina just off Sulphur Point in Tauranga. Greg Prescott, the marina manager is a fellow Catana owner. We learned that there was an unplanned gathering of Catana owners that we simply had to meet.
We had not been this far south on the north island so it was a great time to see new places. Tauranga is about half way down the east side of the north island.
Sugar Shack pulled into this beautiful marina with the help of the marina crew. It was a great place to hide from a forecasted storm.
We enjoyed some stunning sunsets from the boat and the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club.
We walked 20-25 minutes to downtown Tauranga several times for lunch and a great looksy.
Tauranga is famous for its beautiful Mt. Manganui. A great place to hike and explore.
Who wore it best?
Reunion of Old Friends
Our friends Wendy and Peryn live in Tauranga so we enjoyed a fabulous afternoon with them at their house.
In addition, our friends Tony and Jaqui came down for a visit. Tony is launching a new product called Vortex Marine and is having us test drive it for him. A huge honor and a great opportunity to try the product out first hand.
Vortex Marine is a tablet that takes your every day chart plotter to a whole new level! Check it out.
Top photo is Charlie and Sue on “Purr” and Greg is the marina manager on “Seuss” both Catana owners.
Greg organized a dinner with the Catana group. A few other marina guests joined in as well, but most were Catana owners.
- Sugar Shack
- Roam: Jim and Pam
- Purr: Charlie and Sue
- Machiavel: Grant
- Seuss: Greg and Sharron
- Blue: owners were out of town but we admired their boat
Some of these folks we had been talking to online for years and this was the first time we met them!
Some of the other folks had been following along our blog for years and it was the first time they met us. Always super fun to meet people who enjoy the work we do.
Here is the big group!
It was such an incredible pleasure meeting up with these amazing people with such diverse cruising stories.
I was humbled and honored to meet the folks on Hapai and Gerdy who had been following Sugar Shack for a few years. It warms my heart to know we’ve paid it forward for all the good will other folks have given us.
Just another reminder of how truly blessed we are!
Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual events. We were in Tauranga around mid-March 2026.