Newbie to circumnavigate Australia, looking for advice

[MichSn]

Thank you guys again for contributing to this post! Amazing community and a great advice everyone!

[JAFO]

Many excellent answers here. I just wanted to add that, so far as internet goes, SpaceX's satellite-based "Starlink" system is now available in Australia (still in beta-testing stage), and it offers speeds etc on par or better than what is available for land-based plans, at roughly the same prices as land-based plans.

The difference to land-based internet is that it works in remote areas where regular internet is not available, even in the middle of the ocean, and in a year or two should be available worldwide. I'm quite excited for the possibilities this will open up for cruising sailors everywhere.

[MichSn]

Originally Posted by JAFO

Many excellent answers here. I just wanted to add that, so far as internet goes, SpaceX's satellite-based "Starlink" system is now available in Australia (still in beta-testing stage), and it offers speeds etc on par or better than what is available for land-based plans, at roughly the same prices as land-based plans.

The difference to land-based internet is that it works in remote areas where regular internet is not available, even in the middle of the ocean, and in a year or two should be available worldwide. I'm quite excited for the possibilities this will open up for cruising sailors everywhere.

I have actually been studying Starlink myself in the last few days. This sounds and looks like exactly what I need. By the time we will be ready to sail, it will be known how well it works. I am really hoping it will

[markpierce]

A frequent thread is from some with little/no boating experience who desires to sail around the world. Best to start "small" and gain experience "camping" on board in local waters, not on one's ultimate transworld boat because your idea of the boat will have changed.

[MichSn]

Originally Posted by markpierce

A frequent thread is from some with little/no boating experience who desires to sail around the world. Best to start "small" and gain experience "camping" on board in local waters, not on one's ultimate transworld boat because your idea of the boat will have changed.

Absolutely agree. We are intending to start very small, just around the harbour for a year, then go coastal with a few overnights, etc when we feel confident. Small steps...

[blazing928]

Ill join in with my 2c worth :-))

www.yachtmaster.com.au in PPB Melbourne offer RYA courses. Gordon is excellent. I am a power boater [who sailed a bit, still windsurf] and have done the coastal skipper and yachtmaster theory courses. Very well taught.

Join any club, or even contact them, there is always a spot to sail on Wednesday nights or Saturday. I did saturdays for about 5 years nearly 40 years ago, was a great experience.
PPB can be a mongrel with short sharp chop. ORCV is the club to talk to about going out of the heads and starting to explore Bass Strait. It seems Bass strait is about the worst you will find to sail in as its relatively shallow, but the southern ocean has earn’t its respect...

Look up Steve & Linda Dashew, www.setsail.com. He has several PDF books that are incredible in the information offered. Free too!

On you tube, visit, ‘Motor sailing for old dudes’ channel. He lives in QLD, but has done the east coast all the way to Tassie, always seems to avoid the bad weather, has plenty of videos on each stop along the way. He always has time to wait for favourable conditions....a must.

I have only found a couple of channels that have circumnavigated OZ, Tangaroa i think is one sailing cannnel with plenty of vids in the Kimberlies. Adelaide to Darwin, clock wise! Shallow draft is a massive plus.

Good luck, set your intention and you will have fun

[Morph]

Hi, most of the advice is really good. I built my own 39' cat, my advice is don't do that!! so much work.... But cats are the best way to go for cruising and Australia has some of the best cats around--I'm ignoring the production boats--go for Pescott, Grainger, Crowther, Schionning, chamberlin and Oram.
Re books, the best book for me was Nigel Calders' books--they are incredibly detailed and I did all the wiring on my boat based on his books--he has a huge amount of advice and wisdom. I would never leave without it on the boat.

Get predictwind! It's amazing! again I wouldn't go out without it.

a good anchor is essential--my preferenace is Sarca--I won't have a boat without one of those anchors on board.
Finally, get a cheap mono with an engine in and sail it around--something like a Cav 28 or a Mottle 33. Sail it around the harbour or better still, Pittwater--and sail up and down between them--great practice and you'll soon find out about your levels of seasickness. All sorts of things are going to go wrong so you'll get lots of practice in fixing things and they are perfect boats to learn to sail on--then upgrade to the cat--you can pick a Cav or Mottle up for $20-40k. There is nothing like being on your own boat to learn what to do. I'm not sure many skippers are going to let you loose on their boat maintenance wise...





The main difference between the small mono and the cat is the speed and the loads. You also have to be a hell of lot more paranoid on the cat--but they are the way to go. Also being able to get in shallow is wonderful... you can be the only boat in the bay.



Phil

[CaptainChuck2]

2 anchors are better. There may be a time to anchor bow and stern. I have owned boats from Alaska to Florida and much more. If you are a real newbe, then it would behoove you to find someone that has serious experience to put you in the road to do serious cruising. What you choose to travel in is certainly debatable. Some love sail and many others like power. Much more control wit a power vessel. There is a ton to learn but you don't have to know it all in a week. Take your time and there is so much to learn. A couple things like control of your vessel and the ground of which you travel is very important that you learn fast. There are rocks that you can't see until you are on top of. So try to get charts on the areas you want to travel and read them well. Weather is also very important that you need to know. Have fun - Capt Chuck

[matt.blak]

Visit a few local sailing clubs, find one that clicks for you. There are often yachts looking for crew. Many clubs have storage on-site for member yachts. Find out if you enjoy sailing.

[Kim Klaka]

You seem to be asking all the right questions, I think you will manage just fine on this big adventure. A couple of references that you might find helpful:
1. Western Australian Cruising Guide. - free!The Western Australian Cruising Guide is regarded as the coastal cruising bible for WA, covering the coast from Darwin to Eucla, including the Christmas and Cocos Islands. This book is a definite must-have, especially for cruising the Kimberley, with over 600 pages, 220 chartlets and many interesting colour photos. This latest edition is version 5.3, published in March 2021. Not only will it whet your apetite for this part of the coast, it also contains partial answers to some of your questions re dogs, internet coverage, insurance requirements, anchor & berthing fees, circumnavigate clockwise v anticlockwise (I can add to this debate if you wish) etc.
To download your free copy of this invaluable resource go to:

https://www.fsc.com.au/wa-cruising-guide/

2.Sailing Yacht Design: a guide for boat owners, crew and buyers.
If you want to understand what makes a sailing yacht perform the way it does, but are sometimes baffled by the science, this is the book for you. It is available for purchase at all good on-line bookstores, or from:

https://books2read.com/u/mqrRL1

[Lucky Luke 1]

Its funny how Aussies just say "she'll be right m8, get out there and have some fun" and Americans are like "go do courses and hire boats".
Totally different mind sets eh.

[Lucky Luke 1]

Originally Posted by blazing928

I have only found a couple of channels that have circumnavigated OZ, Tangaroa i think is one sailing cannnel with plenty of vids in the Kimberlies. Adelaide to Darwin, clock wise! Shallow draft is a massive plus.

Good luck, set your intention and you will have fun

Check out Free Range Sailing they also circumnavigate clock wise on a 30ft

As a newb i thought clockwise would of been the desired way to make more use of the prevailing currents. But seems to be pros and cons of either way.

[picklesandjesse]

Originally Posted by Lucky Luke 1

Its funny how Aussies just say "she'll be right m8, get out there and have some fun" and Americans are like "go do courses and hire boats".
Totally different mind sets eh.

I think Kiwis are the same too. Both countries very similar, but better work ethic in NZ. And possibly better built boats, sorry to say. No, I'm not a Kiwi.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Lucky Luke 1

Check out Free Range Sailing they also circumnavigate clock wise on a 30ft

As a newb i thought clockwise would of been the desired way to make more use of the prevailing currents. But seems to be pros and cons of either way.

Clockwise around OZ, your into the wind all the way,

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Clockwise around OZ, your into the wind all the way,

Not on the West coast and the Bright is okay if you time the fronts right.. over the top is the hard bit with lots of calms July n August.