East coast of Australia in late winter, early spring

[JPA Cate]

I agree it's a dilemma. And further, we have not done the trip later than the middle of May, so I cannot really speak to winter, either. As far as I can see, taking crew could really help, with the whole thing. I think it is the development of a deep cut off low while he is northbound could bring more heavy sea conditions than he should really be attempting in what is an essentially un-shook down boat since its major refit. He doesn't even know, as far as I know, if his wind steering will be successful in gale to storm conditions, and he's still making changes to the boat. [Ours, home made by Jim, on our first Insatiable, could pretty well cope the 45-50 knot range, but GILow's I believe to be untried on his boat.]

If he waits till he is out of time to go, then he may HAVE to sail through those heavy conditions to get there. [The risks of sailing to a schedule.]

I think if he wants to singlehand the voyage, and there is plenty of reason to do that, then he should stay out of traffic as much as possible, and be ready to use all reasonable bail out points. He needs TIME for that, which, if he has to wait in Adelaide, up till the last moment, he is not likely to have.

A difficult choice.

One thing to be said for a "delivery trip", is that crew for the whole trip may be more available, for the shorter period of time.

Ann

[GILow]

So... maybe I should look for crew... maybe some bored people from Tasmania?

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by GILow

So... maybe I should look for crew... maybe some bored people from Tasmania?

Is Tassie still in lock down, Hahahahaha

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Is Tassie still in lock down, Hahahahaha

We can leave but we can't come back

Technically we can come back but gotta stay at home for 14 days

[Jim Cate]

But if pushed for time, he may be tempted to accept less than ideal weather forecasts and if the weather deteriorates he can be caught out not been able to seek coastal shelter and be forced to push on with a potentially close lee shore, traffic and coastal refraction; not a good place for a single hander.

This is mostly true, Wottie... time pressures are killers in general, and for single handers especially.

But really, the 100 fathom line isn't all that far offshore for most of the trip, so either getting in to a safe anchorage or getting offshore if conditions don't allow entry to anchorages isn't a huge distance. And forecasting, while not perfect, is pretty reliable in terms of predicting big adverse events well in advance.

Ann's comment about East Coast lows is salient. Those are the commonest evil events on the NSW coast, and these days are usually evident several days in advance of forming. A prudent mariner should be able to avoid them with little difficulty.

I also agree with her that if in the end a quick delivery is needed, taking on crew would be very advisable... as would be a serious flogging shake down before then.

So much depends on where you will really need to be, Matt. Damn hard to work out plans until you do know. We await developments!

Jim

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

So much depends on where you will really need to be, Matt. Damn hard to work out plans until you do know. We await developments!



Jim

I’m shaking the trees today. I am pretty tired of this uncertainty, but the problem with bureaucracy is that if you push it too hard, it just pushes back and steam-rolls you.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by GILow

I’m shaking the trees today. I am pretty tired of this uncertainty, but the problem with bureaucracy is that if you push it too hard, it just pushes back and steam-rolls you.

You might emulate Ned Kelly and put a boiler over your head, Matt. The slings and arrows might just bounce off!

Good luck with the jousting.

Jim

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by GILow

I’m shaking the trees today. I am pretty tired of this uncertainty, but the problem with bureaucracy is that if you push it too hard, it just pushes back and steam-rolls you.

These days I tend towards the beg forgiveness rather than seek approval camp.

[RaymondR]

If I was planning the voyage I'd break it up into legs between ports or refuges of all weather entry and estimate the transit times between each. I'd feel fairly secure of each leg if it consumed less than say four days, which I tend to the opinion is the period for which weather predictions are fairly reliable.

Having spent a winter out in Bass Strait it's the place I'd be most cautious of and would probably reduce the comfort period to two or three days.

My first info stop for feasibility purposes would be the pilot charts for the relevant months, they will give you the statistics on wind strengths and directions.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

So... maybe I should look for crew... maybe some bored people from Tasmania?

You need to press gang a couple of suckers, teenagers, crew from the SA marina and off load them at Sydney or Pittwater. By then you will know how well / fast you are travelling and you single hand the nice bit north.

[JPA Cate]

Ah, yes, the teenagers!

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

You need to press gang a couple of suckers, teenagers, crew from the SA marina and off load them at Sydney or Pittwater. By then you will know how well / fast you are travelling and you single hand the nice bit north.

Teenagers...?

I think the cold is diminishing your cognitive function. Time to head north.

Actually, I know a boat that may be heading north soon...

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

Teenagers...?

I think the cold is diminishing your cognitive function. Time to head north.

Actually, I know a boat that may be heading north soon...

Well you did picture 'em snoozing on deck a few days back; cast off and slip away quietly

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Well you did picture 'em snoozing on deck a few days back; cast off and slip away quietly

You did read the bit where I debriefed about them whinging incessantly for three days before then cracking the sads when they had to go back to their dirt home, right?

It was three of the most painful days I’ve had on this boat, and I’m including the Bass Strait passage in that count.

[GILow]

One bit of good news... my struggle with the bureaucracy has reaped dividends. I may not have to make this trip.


Which is a pity in some ways, it was starting to feel like it could be fun.