Navigation challenge - hitting a bullet with a snail?

[Tikka]

My gues is the chance is slim , unless you wait in Gassy King Island and watch the tracker which way they pass , East or West. Don't forget , the network updates are far behind real position.

[UNCIVILIZED]

OP, you might do well to post this over on Sailing Anarchy Forums. They have several long running threads on the VOR; past, current, & future. And I'm sure that this topic would spark some interest over there.
Ocean Racing Anarchy - Sailing Anarchy Forums

You could also communicate directly with the race's organizers, & even some of the teams themselves. If you're lucky you'll get someone in the PR department who'll hook you up with more than enough info to do this rendezvous.

[Dave_S]

If this is a stupid idea don't tell me.

Couldn't you sit in their path, call them on the radio, tell them why your there and that your just drifting and if the wind doesn't change they might just try to buzz by.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

If this is a stupid idea don't tell me.



Couldn't you sit in their path, call them on the radio, tell them why your there and that your just drifting and if the wind doesn't change they might just try to buzz by.

Somehow I feel there might be a few million too many dollars at stake for them to change course to indulge my fancies.

Of course I could hope they get becalmed then I could motor around them, but that's not very likely on Bass Strait.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by GILow

Somehow I feel there might be a few million too many dollars at stake for them to change course to indulge my fancies.

Of course I could hope they get becalmed then I could motor around them, but that's not very likely on Bass Strait.

I told you not to tell me ! :-)

They don't change course to come to you, you get on their line.

With AIS you can put yourself right on their line and if you communicate they will not worry what you're up to and be comfortable coming close by.

[BruceS]

I'm thinking the QUICKEST course between Capetown & Sydney will be way down South, close to the icy waters of Antarctica, using the Roaring Forties.
If it was a 'learners' race it would be close off shore off Eyre Peninsula. (see Jessica Watson's course?)

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by BruceS

I'm thinking the QUICKEST course between Capetown & Sydney will be way down South, close to the icy waters of Antarctica, using the Roaring Forties.
If it was a 'learners' race it would be close off shore off Eyre Peninsula. (see Jessica Watson's course?)

Might be the quickest way to Sydney but they have to go to Melbourne so entering Bass Strait from the west is probably the quickest way to Melbourne

[BruceS]

Oooops! Yep I meant Melbourne of course.
Bass Straight is really mostly more East of Melbourne. (off Gippsland)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_Strait#Geography
The race will be at the same time as thousands of Lobster pots will be deployed all along the Southern coasts of SA & Victoria so I'd suggest they would be advised to go South to avoid shipping lanes & pots.
Keep us advised Matt how you go. Might know of an experienced yachty to keep you company if .... ??

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by BruceS

Oooops! Yep I meant Melbourne of course.
Bass Straight is really mostly more East of Melbourne. (off Gippsland)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_Strait#Geography
The race will be at the same time as thousands of Lobster pots will be deployed all along the Southern coasts of SA & Victoria so I'd suggest they would be advised to go South to avoid shipping lanes & pots.
Keep us advised Matt how you go. Might know of an experienced yachty to keep you company if .... ??

Okay...
I agree they will be south (below 40+) and I expect they would make their northing by coming up the west coast of Tassie (well off shore) and entering the western approach to Bass Strait. How soon they turn northwards would be (IMO) dependent on where the highs are in relation to the Great Australian Bight. No point in coming up the east coast of Tassie, further to run and less predictable winds (IMO).

Remembering also the "Roaring Forties " are not westerly winds, rather they generally cycle from the north to the south via the west (below 45S). In summer, there can be prolonged easterlies near the mainland coast if the highs are low enough in the bight.

Really the track into Melbourne is going to be dependent oh the location of the highs (IMO).

I don't think shipping lanes are of any issue .

[GILow]

Hmmm. Had not considered them being very far off shore by the time they reached the western entrance to Bass Strait. (Got the spelling right this time). For all the advantages of the strong winds further south I feel like the issue of total distance travelled is a big factor in angling them up north sooner rather than later.

Anyway, on the highly unlikely event that I actually have a chance to do this (trying to get the house ready for sale at the moment) I would welcome anyone else silly enough to join me.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by BruceS

The race will be at the same time as thousands of Lobster pots will be deployed all along the Southern coasts of SA & Victoria so I'd suggest they would be advised to go South to avoid shipping lanes & pots.

Ooh yeah! Ran that gauntlet! Not wanting to do it again in a hurry.

I'd forgotten that little aspect.

Wanna come along? Bring your snorkel perhaps? :^)

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

Hmmm. Had not considered them being very far off shore by the time they reached the western entrance to Bass Strait. (Got the spelling right this time). For all the advantages of the strong winds further south I feel like the issue of total distance travelled is a big factor in angling them up north sooner rather than later.

Anyway, on the highly unlikely event that I actually have a chance to do this (trying to get the house ready for sale at the moment) I would welcome anyone else silly enough to join me.

Great circle route Cape Town / Melbourne ??????????

BTW, I'm silly - but you already knew that

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Great circle route Cape Town / Melbourne ??????????

BTW, I'm silly - but you already knew that

Nobody who sails a Van de Stadt can be called silly.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Great circle route Cape Town / Melbourne ??????????

Yep, Start 34S, Finish 38S, GC Route most southerly point. 58S.

GC Route S of Cape Leewen - still 54S

Adelaide 34S - GC Route due south of Adelaide - still 44S

Attached screen cap has 100 NM range rings from Adelaide.

[Wotname]

^^
Hmm... the leg 3 on the VOR website is given as 6,500 miles and the GC distance is about that so I am assuming (perhaps presuming?) there are no waypoints on leg 3 that would force the boats into a more northerly route.

Anyone know more about possible waypoints for leg 3?