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Old 03-08-2016, 19:50   #1
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Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

I'm delivering a Seawind Catamaran from Darwin to Sydney departing 4th September 2016.
I am yet to sail the Arafura Sea and Coral Coast north of Cairns.
Looking for some handy hints and tricks if anyone has experienced a similar route around a similar time of year.
Yes I know the trade winds blow from the S/E and it will be rough at times.
Any input would be appreciated.
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Old 03-08-2016, 20:14   #2
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Re: Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

Since multihulls are in short supply down south, might you bring that one on to Tasmania? See about leaving Sydney on Boxing Day. You can drop the boat off in Hobart. Cheers.
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Old 03-08-2016, 20:45   #3
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Re: Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

I've only done it in the other direction. Sorry.

The shipping channel from the Top to Cairns is all fine. Dont listen to anyone who says its dangerous to do it at night.

If you are motoring a lot make sure you know the next fuel stop is actually there and open when you want it to be.
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Old 03-08-2016, 20:57   #4
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Re: Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

Should start getting a few north easterlies once you swing around the corner
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Old 03-08-2016, 21:07   #5
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Re: Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

Quote:
Originally Posted by tay_booth View Post
I'm delivering a Seawind Catamaran from Darwin to Sydney departing 4th September 2016.
I am yet to sail the Arafura Sea and Coral Coast north of Cairns.
Looking for some handy hints and tricks if anyone has experienced a similar route around a similar time of year.
Yes I know the trade winds blow from the S/E and it will be rough at times.
Any input would be appreciated.
Firstly Tay you have selected a good time to depart Darwin. The trades are starting to die and the cyclone season is a month away.

One can still get a blast from the easterlies for a week or 10 days but it is possible to daysail as far as Gove.

From the Coburg to Gove.

As the trades die a N to NE afternoon seabreeze kicks in around 2pm So to use this to advantage you need to get offshore in the morning then bank your miles in the afternoon.

A landbreeze component to the easterlies can be taken advantage of by closing the coast tight between midnight and first light.

I always go inside Crocker, the Goulburns, the Crocodiles, and of course Elcho.

Going to far offshore negates many of the advantages of the land breeze and sea breeze wind shifts, turning the whole trip into a slug fest.

Popping around Wilberforce in daylight with the tide for the flog into Gove. Leave the rounding of Wilberforce till mid afternoon when the seabreeze cranks the wind more into the east will make life easier.
If you want more info PM me.

PS. youve got this delivery licked once you get south of Cape Tribulation.
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Old 06-08-2016, 18:20   #6
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Re: Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

Done it twice, both times left Darwin mid to late September.


First time in 2002 stayed in Gove for five weeks until the strong south easterlies died off and then had a dream run of three days across the gulf in light north westerlies then eight days to Port Douglas in light north westerlies. Pretty well sailed the whole trip.


Second time was in 2013, only waited in Gove for about a week then motored across the gulf, due east about half way then north east to Seisia in light south easterly, then motored down to Cairns in almost a dead calm the whole way.


The key to the winds appears to be what happens with the NW monsoon. It first appears to develop as a persistent low over the Kimberlies then extend east. Once it becomes established as far east as the gulf. Because of the counter rotation the highs over the Tasman will start to close rather than just ridge down slightly and the NW winds start. I migrate north the Cairns every year since 2003 and can now fairly reliably predict when I will get a good following winds run south.
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Old 07-08-2016, 04:55   #7
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Re: Darwin to Sydney Yacht Delivery

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, tay booth.

Bon voyage!
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