Past News

Voyage chart
To view the full chart showing the voyage from Whangarei to Vanuatu Click here

Vanuatu cruise chart
To view the chart showing the places they visited in Vanuatu
Click here

31-08-07
Today they sailed from Tutukaka to Kawau Island. They are in Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island tonight, and home to Wetspark Marina tomorrow.

29-08-07
They report that conditions are not good but they are just entering Bay of Islands. They will press on to Tutukaka tomorrow.

28-08-07
A slightly happier crew tonite Making 8.5 knots. After being bashed up last night they saw a patch of blue sky today. The boys were a bit crook last night. Ham steaks and pineapple for dinner tonite, after retreiving dishes and food from the bulkhead. They expect to make Opua tomorrow about dusk. A severe shortage of grog is causing great anxiety on board.

27-08-07
Still northwest of Cape Reinga. They are feeling the strain after 72 hours of heavy weather.

25-08-07 - 1830 hrs.
They are further west than they would like. Running under storm sails. Here is Duthie's prediction for the weather they can expect and advice to Kevin (issued Saturday).

Today he should have ENE 20 kts with showers turning to rain.
Breeze starting to freshen.
His worst bit, will be during the day, on Sunday. Maybe up to 35 kts. Easterly.
No rush, slow down, around midnight Sunday to 0600 hrs (6am) Monday it will improve and come astern.
Make the most of it. It will stay in the north and NW until 1600 hrs (4pm) Tues, then will go SW 20 - 30 kts.

22-08-07 - 1930 hrs.
They have repaired the damaged alternator and are on their way back. Tonight they are about a day north of Norfolk Island. Expecting to make Opua in about 4 days. All are in good spirits (I'm not sure whether that should be in, or into?).

13-08-07 Breaking news!
Kevin has informed us that the boat needs repairs which he would prefer to do in Auckland. They have decided to stay on for another week in New Caledonia then sail back to Auckland. They are currently at Isle Ouen.

09-08-07 - 1830 hrs.
Dennis tells us they are in a lagoon somewhere and have been swimming in the hot springs today. They will spend 5 more days where they are then off to Lord Howe Island.

04-08-07 - 0730 hrs.
They are nearing Baie du prony, South East New Caledonia. All well, sailed all night, weather excellent. Went past an onshore mine and gained a window of reception, will be visiting a waterfall and ruins today and due in Noumea tonite or tomorrow.

01-08-07 - 1900 hrs.
They have been ashore and Kevin met up with guys he hasn't seen since he was 12. They also caught another Yellowfin Tuna.

29-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
They are now very close to their destination but will stay out overnight and anchor in the morning. All are well.

28-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
Still sailing well under a clear tropical sky. Halfway to their destination. They have just observed the 'green flash'.

27-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
The boys are having a good sail under a clear sky. For dinner tonight they had Spaghetti Bolognaise that had only fallen on the floor once.

25-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
Still at Aore Island resort. Today has been spent clearing customs and in the morning they will set sail for the Loyalty Islands.

Past News

21-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
Having a good night surrounded by Kiwi boats. They're off to Loganville tomorrow.

20-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
A very simple message today. All on board are happy and having a good time.

18-07-07 - 1900 hrs.
Kim and Bailey, Roger and Helen, returned home last weekend. The boys are now cruising to the north.

14-07-07 - 1830 hrs.
In Port Vila again. Kim and Bailey return home tomorrow (Sunday).

11-07-07 - 1900 hrs.
Still in Havanna Harbour. Snorkelling and having fun.

10-07-07 - 1900 hrs.
In Havannah Harbour. Had a sail today and caught a massive Yellowfin Tuna. With fresh veges from the market it made a great meal.

09-07-07 - 1900 hrs.
Kevin and the crew are off to Havannah Harbour tomorrow. Havannah Harbour is on the north west side of Efate Island (the same island as Port Vila).

08-07-07 - 1635 hrs.
Kevin and the crew are on their way back to Port Vila. They expect to be there by midnight. All on board are happy and well.

06-07-07 - 1600 hrs.
They have reached Tanna Island and are spending 3 days in Port resolution. They are having an 'awesome' time and intend to climb to the volcano. You can find pictures in the photo gallery, or Click here then scroll to the bottom of the page.

05-07-07 - 1930 hrs.
With partners on board they are on the move again, cruising Vanuatu.

30-06-07 - 1100 hrs.
Kevin and the crew have arrived at Port Vila. Their finish time was 2143 hrs 50 sec. They caught a Mahimahi on the way up and have already scoffed the lot (can't blame them really - yum bloody yum, as Dennis would say).They had heavy rain and zero visibility coming into Port Vila. Kev said he was grateful for electronic nav aids. Rogers partner Helen was there to meet them when they arrived. They have the boat all ship shape and are having a well deserved meal of roast lamb.

28-06-07 - 2100 hrs.
Boat speed 6 knots and heading 340T under fresh winds. All are well.

27-06-07 - 2100 hrs.
Unable to make contact with the Iduno tonight. Tried at different times but no reply.

26-06-07 - 1830 hrs.
Bad radio reception tonight. No information available other than their position. The forecast winds for the next 2 days are now about 5 knots higher than those forecast yesterday.

25-06-07 - 1830 hrs.
Picked up trade winds in warm conditions. The crew is in a happy frame of mind and sailing well at 8 knots. They send love to all families and wellwishers.

23-06-07
News from Barry

Yesterday I flew over to Great Barrier Island to get Kevin's good friend Dennis (Also supreme commander Navy Great Barrier and our radio man), then Dennis and I took off from Great Barrier about 9.30am and flew up to Whangarei to farewell the Iduno and her crew. They were delayed due to the late arrival of the customs officer who had to travel down from Opua and didn't arrive until midday which was their intended start time. The Whangarei officer was on holiday. We wished them well then headed back to the airport and into the air for some more photography. We managed to get some aerial shots as they sailed past Bream Head, then with a rock of the wings we bid them farewell and headed back to Great Barrier Island. Kevin reported that by 6.30pm they had made several sail changes but were all well and making good progress.

To view older news please see our News Archive page.

The Lidgard Story

Kevin's paternal grandparents, Fred and Grace Lidgard, lived on Kawau island. Kawau island is a favourite cruising destination for Auckland boaties. The Lidgard family established a boatbuilding business in 'Smelting House Bay' and developed a good reputaion for the construction of all types of recreational and commercial vessels up to 100 feet length.

Kevin's parents John and Heather Lidgard are well known for their yachting adventures (see John's book 'It's in the Blood').

John, a yacht designer and builder, and Heather, a yachtswoman and navigator, cruised and raced extensively and as Kevin and his brother Duthie grew up they 'caught the bug' for ocean racing and cruising. Kevin and Duthie have both designed and built numerous racing and cruising yachts. In 2001 Kevin and partner Kim won the shorthanded class of the Auckland to Fiji race. Most recently Duthie and owner Bill Byford won the shorthanded race from New Plymouth to Mooloolaba.


We'll let Kevin tell the rest of the story.

My grandparents lived on Kawau Island. My early years were spent at Sunny Bay, across Bon Accord Harbour from Smelting House Bay. It was here that mum and dad had built a home on the hill above my grandparent's and great grandmother's houses. We had a wharf, beach, boatshed and slipway. My grandmother often caught our dinner from the wharf while baking for the many and frequent visitors. I loved the life at Kawau but schooling was no longer available, and electricity was not available. Mum and Dad decided that raising a family and running their own boat building business was not viable on Kawau, so they moved to Auckland to start a boat building business of their own in Glen Eden (John Lidgard Yachts). Business went well for John Lidgard yachts, for as well as building his own design yachts, John was lucky enough to secure contracts to build the first few 'Stewart 34' yachts. The Stewarts are still racing regularly in midweek races, with fleets numbering in the twenties. Dad's first yacht was the 22' Heather, now owned and restored by my brother. Makatu 30' was John's next design. In 1956 John and a few mates raced Makatu from Auckland to Fiji. That was the beginning of a long association with ocean racing, boatbuilding and design. This became a passion involving my mother Heather, myself, and my brother Duthie.

During those early years I was too young to be considered, or to be useful crew, I spent time at Kawau Island where my grandfather Fred Lidgard treated me as a friend. Fred taught me to fish and work, and for that I thank him. My maternal grandparents were equally caring and loving, but it was Kawau Island, and rowing accross Bon Accord Harbour with a lure tied around my tummy, then coming back to shore with a catch, that I really enjoyed. I never gave myself a chance to come home with two fish because I was too eager to get back and boast about the first one I caught.

There was a succession of boats built by my father, then at the age of 11 in 1966 I got the chance to sail the high seas in mum and dad's flash new yacht 'Taonui' on a family cruise of the South Pacific and Australia. Dad raced to Fiji then we cruised to Vanuatu (New Hebrides in those days), Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Australia and Tasmania, then home to Auckland. We were away for 9 months and that cruise changed the path of my life.

Since then the list of ocean races and regattas entered by all of us, sometimes together and sometimes separately, is too long to write about here but it is the 'Toanui' cruise that I intend to more or less retrace on our voyage starting 20th June 2007.

I can't remember which one of my parents was responsible for encouraging me to keep a log of that cruise on 'Taonui' but I did fill it out every day and I am amazed at the detail I recorded. I even included serviettes from memorable meals, in these logs. There is mention on one page of a local boy, Tony Parr, coming sailing with me from the Royal Suva Yacht Club. His father was Commodore there, and Tony Parr is now Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Navy. I have a close association with Navy Great Barrier, and my close friend Dennis Massey who recently told me that he had a visit from Tony Parr. Navy Great Barrier is a noise station and part of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

My son Rod will accompany me for most of this trip. My partner Kim and her son Bailey will join us for the Vanuatu section and may also join us again in Tasmania.