ANOTHER frikkin Cyclone!

[Amgine]

Interesting comment, Factor. I have a cruising journal on my shelf of a sailor who did that cruise, headed north in a group of boats. Two of the boats did the rock-hopping tactic, most did not. The rock-hoppers did not appear to have any noticeable benefit from the effort, but did spend all their time glued to the charts/plotters and hand steering.

Everyone else set the wind vane/autopilot and enjoyed the sail/motor. (The journal was written by the slowest/smallest boat in the group, and they got up and going an hour or three before everyone else in order to arrive at about the same time - the big catamaran apparently was the laziest crew, usually departing last but not usually first anchor down.)

[Jim Cate]

G'day All,

In our experience, the EAC is a fickle beast, and one needs to modify ones strategy to meet current (ho,ho) conditions. For example, one year trying to round Cape Byron we encountered FIVE knots of south-flowing current. Got a real good look at the lighthouse and the tourists (we were that close inshore). The next year, at about the same season, we had about a half knot of north-flowing current in the same place. Go figger!

So, our practice is to sail the rhumb line and if it is buggered with adverse current, then start experimenting with evasive manuevers.

Cheers,