Fiji to Melbourne in a Hellia 44

[peterp]

Any one know the ball park time required to sail a FP Helia 44 from Fiji to Melbourne. Thanks in advance.

[Dave_S]

This is a handy site.

https://sea-distances.org/

[Tupaia]

Wouldn't go direct as you would be exposed to unfavorable conditions the further south you go and you will have to deal with the gyres around Lord Howe. Better to stay north, New Cal, Brisbane and then work down the coast.

[JPA Cate]

peterp,

It would make sense to go at least close to New Caledonia, and then head for the farthest south port of entry you can comfortably fetch, probable Coff's Harbor. From there, play the weather systems coast hopping. Most of it can easily be done in day hops, although it is tempting to catch Northerly quadrant winds and the EAC to help with longer jumps south.

I am not personally familiar with the leg from Eden to Melbourne, so won't comment on that portion of the voyage. Depending on where the highs are centered, you might get some easterlies along the southern leg, and that could really help. If you stay close in, enough to keep the swell down, northerlies are usable. Not too many spots to duck in, though, if you don't like what you find.

There are seasonal variations in how high the highs are centered, so far, they're still north.

Your boat's average days runs should give you a good idea of what kind of passage times to expect, plus you can usually figure in a knot from the EAC during that portion.

We've been going to Tassie for the summers for a long time, and our experience is from about late November through May, but in a mono.

Ann