Quote:
Originally Posted by tay_booth
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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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.