Mahurangi: Anchors aweigh

Photo / Ollie Dale

Two people who love sailing are selling their waterfront home to fund further adventures.

109 Ridge Rd, Scotts Landing, Mahurangi.

Ten years ago, when they were nearing retirement age, Marlene and Warren Tuohey set off in their boat for a two year sailing adventure that would take them as far as Maine in the United States and back again. The trip even included stints living in Cuba and Montego Bay in the Caribbean.

Now the lure of the sea is calling the couple again and it's time to sell their peaceful, private and relaxed holiday home at Scotts Landing. Warren goes racing in a 12m vintage keeler, but the Tuoheys are looking to buy another boat to holiday in.

"It would be too much to have two houses and two boats," Warren admits.

Just over an hour's drive from their central Auckland home, the Tuoheys come up to their bach every second weekend and more frequently in summer. The northern motorway extension will make the trip even faster for the home's future owners.

Down a cypress-lined driveway, the house is set on 4140sq m - plenty of room to spare, but not too big for townies to manage easily. Private from the road to the east, the property's western boundary has riparian rights to the Mahurangi harbour. There, Warren anchors his fizz boat when he and Marlene are staying for a few days. Otherwise, it's just a short drive to launch it off the ramp at Scotts Landing. The views from the house across the harbour to the hills beyond are just magical, especially as low-key development on the other side of the water means the view is of greenery and not a subdivision.

"It's a bit of a boaties' paradise, but lots of people seem to forget it's here," Warren says. "There's also good fishing if you know where to look for it."

The house is well equipped to make the most of its setting and views. Decks on the eastern and western aspects, plus another off one of the bedrooms, mean there's always a spot in the sun to relax, or shelter from the wind if it's blowing. There's also a charming nook down by the property's water frontage, complete with pergola and decking.

"We often have evening barbecues there by just loading everything into the car and taking it down," Warren says.

The garden is mature and established, but easy-care, much like the house itself. There's a shade house and even fruit trees, including quince, apple, guava, lemon, fig, tamarillo, feijoa, peach, olive, four kinds of orange and a grapevine. A large, fenced area near the road would be perfect for a tennis court, Marlene points out. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the house has ample storage with wardrobes and three linen cupboards.

"This place is halfway between a bach and a house. We use it as a bach, but the people before us lived here. It's perfect either way," Marlene says.

Marlene and Warren say young families are starting to move into the area. While their place is quite spacious, they imagine that a family might want to extend the house by building up.

"And if they do they'll get some great views of the Te Kapa inlet," Marlene says, referring to the body of water on the other side of Ridge Road.

The Tuoheys are planning a three-month sailing trip to the islands, but say they'll always be able to return to Scotts Landing by sailing into the Mahurangi harbour.

"The people here are brilliant," Warren says. "It's a tight community. We've put out bait stations for possums and rats together and then had a cup of tea afterwards. Now the tui are back in force."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 4140sq m, house 200sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected around $1.1-1.2 million.

INSPECT: Sunday 2.30-3.30pm.

CONTACT: Wendy Milne, Harveys, ph 021 784 942, 09 425 6670 a/h.

FEATURES: Beautiful water views, boatshed, double garage plus off-street parking, large decks, fruit trees, established garden, shade house, room for a tennis court, and birdsong to help you relax.