It's messing with my head

[Mendana]

Some coaching counselling here folks, and some advice too from those with the experience.

I'm planning a trip to New Plymouth (NZ) from Melbourne in Jan 2016. We will be two up on my very well maintained s&s 34. We have been on half a dozen ocean trips, but the most has been about 60 hours continuous sailing and of course you can forecast weather easily for trips of this length. We have had to handle some challenging stuff and we have real confidence in the capability of the boat....

Here is where I lose my nerve...The trip to New Plymouth is about 1,400 miles - thats about 14 days....In the Tasman sea anything can blow up in 14 days, we could have huge seas and 60-70 knot storms...

Help here please:

Please guide me about how to best ensure we don't get caught up in this stuff.
Advice on most effective way to get weather forecasts in this area.
Should I hire a weather person and contact them daily by email for advice on what course to take?
Help me sleep better at night.

[biker6977]

there is no way to be sure you won't get caught up in something that can blow up while you're already out there. Yes get weather service so you can prepare if something does start to form but realistically will you be able to take to port if something starts brewing?

[Mendana]

Thanks for the reply biker6977...I'm looking for a bit more than this.

Can anyone suggest a good weather service?...I'll have a sat phone and access to internet and email/SMS/voice
Am I right in understanding that in January, winds tend to be easterly and frequency of storms is low in this area..Whilst not ideal direction-wise?

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Mendana

Thanks for the reply biker6977...I'm looking for a bit more than this.

Can anyone suggest a good weather service?...I'll have a sat phone and access to internet and email/SMS/voice
Am I right in understanding that in January, winds tend to be easterly and frequency of storms is low in this area..Whilst not ideal direction-wise?

Check the Climatology:

Climatology of Global Ocean Winds

[Mendana]

Thanks StuM.....I know this is based on average data, but very comforting. A good site. This will help me sleep in the meantime.

Anyone know of a good weather person and what I should expect from them and at what sort of cost?

[Weyalan]

I suspect that you are over-thinking this a little bit. The S&S 34 is a great boat, strong as an ox and will cope with whatever weather you encounter. In January, personally, I'd be expecting more westerlies winds than easterlies (but I could be wrong). The 7 day BoM forecast ought to be good enough to get you there (any forecasts much more than 7 days are kinda speculative anyway (according to weather expert Ken Batt).

[DumnMad]

I used passageweather.com and it was accurate for mid ocean. Predicted a max 6m to 8m waves & 40knot + winds and thats what we got.
We left in July but all through May June the forcasts showed much milder conditions.

[seasick]

My wife and I encountered nine, close-in water spouts while sailing from the North Island NZ to Melbourne. Picture seawater rain drops the size of softballs.

The best WX info, though invaluable for preparing for the eventuality of a rough ride, will not likely spare you from it.

Reef early, don't be in a hurry and don't be fixed on a destination when falling off on a more favorable point of sail will make the experience safer and more enjoyable.

[patprice]

Hi Mendana

I have crossed the Tasman four times in recent years including single handed. Each time from Hobart and destination Opua. On my Swanson 36 "Pendulum".

Does this system allow a private message to me ? I will investigate.

Go for it but be prepared, it can get dirty.

Pat

[captlloyd]

There is an old saying, ''Most boats can take a lot more than the crew they carry''. Think about it.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by patprice

Hi Mendana

I have crossed the Tasman four times in recent years including single handed. Each time from Hobart and destination Opua. On my Swanson 36 "Pendulum".

Does this system allow a private message to me ? I will investigate.

Go for it but be prepared, it can get dirty.

Pat

What Pat said +1, also what Weyalan said +1

I have only crossed the Tasman once (E to W, November) and we had dead calms through to 40 kts and winds from the NW though to the NE (the long way ).

I don't think good on-shore weather support will be that much of help except for potential moral support. The distances are too short to effectively work your way around serious weather systems as they develop.

[Mendana]

Thanks Pat, would appreciate any guidance.

Cheers,

Andy

[patprice]

Andy did you get my message ?
Pat

[Framboise]

Re: weather info for Tasman Sea passage
Just did a Hobart to NZ passage last month and used the services of Bob McDavitt - reputable weather router.
He was knowledgeable, responsive and spot on!
We followed his advised route and experienced exactly forecast conditions - all in all, very helpful and reasonable service.
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