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31-08-2019, 03:56
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 60
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Durban to Perth under sail
Hi all, I am an Aussie living in South Africa. I am considering buying a 35’ catamaran with twin saildrive diesels with the plan to return to my homeland under my own steam (so to speak).
Has anybody here undertaken a crossing of the Indian Ocean at somewhat smaller latitudes than the roaring 40s? Ie such as between 25 degrees south to 35 degrees south
Any information will be gladly accepted and am happy to chat here if need be.
Thank you
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31-08-2019, 04:23
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gympie
Boat: Volkscruiser
Posts: 2,687
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Nigel Ridgway sailed a Duncanson 29 from Durban to Perth. Wrote a good book about it, I don’t think he went much below 40 south?
Where is GordMay?
Cheers
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31-08-2019, 08:40
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 60
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Do you know the name of the book? Thanks in advance
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31-08-2019, 08:54
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne Australia
Boat: Paper Tiger 14 foot, Gemini 105MC 34 foot Catamaran Hull no 825
Posts: 2,912
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Youtube video, Sailing the Southern Ocean in 40 foot waves,
That was a forty foot Cat, They came from SA to OZ in it,
Great video,
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31-08-2019, 16:52
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gympie
Boat: Volkscruiser
Posts: 2,687
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
The book is called Lotus 2 An Indian Ocean Adventure. Published back in 1992 and it looks like it might be a rare one as I cannot find any for sale on the Internet.
It’s a good read if you can get a copy.
Another good read is the Indian Ocean Cruising guide by Rod Heikell. He has a section on sailing east from Africa.
Cheers
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31-08-2019, 17:27
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,181
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
I haven't crossed the southern Indian Ocean under sail... only under steam....( Durban/Perth and Beira/Port Pirie... both in the 60's.... )
However... have crossed from NZ to Chile twice under sail..
My advice.... sail the isobars... not the great circle.
That is.... stay just far enough below the highs to stay in a westerly airstream.... 1020mb is a nice number.
That will probably keep you in the high 30's / low 40s.
Start keeping an eye on this... https://earth.nullschool.net/#curren....43,-27.04,614
and you will get the idea...
Just now mid 30's looks good.....
On a well sailed cat you would have the speed ... or so they tell me .. to adjust your course a little bit north of east.. a little bit south of east.. to stay in the stream...
You will still get a smack somewhere along the way but that is just how it is...
Ping
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31-08-2019, 19:04
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne Australia
Boat: Paper Tiger 14 foot, Gemini 105MC 34 foot Catamaran Hull no 825
Posts: 2,912
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Pinguino
I haven't crossed the southern Indian Ocean under sail... only under steam....( Durban/Perth and Beira/Port Pirie... both in the 60's.... )
However... have crossed from NZ to Chile twice under sail..
My advice.... sail the isobars... not the great circle.
That is.... stay just far enough below the highs to stay in a westerly airstream.... 1020mb is a nice number.
That will probably keep you in the high 30's / low 40s.
Start keeping an eye on this... https://earth.nullschool.net/#curren....43,-27.04,614
and you will get the idea...
Just now mid 30's looks good.....
On a well sailed cat you would have the speed ... or so they tell me .. to adjust your course a little bit north of east.. a little bit south of east.. to stay in the stream...
You will still get a smack somewhere along the way but that is just how it is...
Ping
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Thats a great weather map, I turned it round to the east coast of Australia, Tasman Sea,
I tried to explain the weather conditions off the east coast of NSW, OZ a few years back and got howled down for it,
It just doesnt happen like that,
I said the wind goes in four directions at the same time, Like a mini Cyclone,
South West of that cyclonic wind event, Big circular wind direction,
100 miles of the Mid NSW coast, the wind is going in four directions, North, South, East and west, At the same time,
And there it is, Happening right now,
Thanks for the weather map,
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01-09-2019, 18:20
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Fremantle, Western Australia
Posts: 36
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
In 79 I sailed my 55 ft schooner from cape Town to Freo and followed the great circle but flattened off at 47 and a half south. Took 3 weeks but very cold and very rough. I would not recommend it although, in retrospect, it was a great experience to have survived (2 knock downs). Another 50 footer left before us and sailed across at 40 S. Took 6 weeks but had a comfortable passage.
In 80 I sailed Darwin to Cape Town. Absolutely fantastic down wind sailing, from 15 south, until the Agulhas bank. I consider the Agulhas bank to be the whole area of less than 300m around the south of SA. We hit the Agulhas current on the 100 fathom line off Durban and ran down it with the strong current. Was a great ride but lead to very rough seas as we crossed onto the bank east of Port Elizabeth. There we met a westerly gale, just as the current started to turn to the west and cross onto the much shallower bank. Interesting seas.
In view of the above, I think the man nailed it when he said sail the isobars. Not north of 30 south and not south of 40 south.
Unless you are already in Durban depart from PE or East London.
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01-09-2019, 23:41
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 60
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Hi all, many thanks for the responses...I currently live in Knysna but before departing thought I might head NE towards Durban before heading east.
I’m not comfy with the thought of heading into the 40 degree + region. Roaring 40s and all those mountainous waves. I lived in Hobart some years ago and have a great respect for the weather down south.
Southern winter seems logical but, like the Queensland coast the SE will blow for months which would be a challenge to bash through for 2-3 months.
Has anyone tackled a west to east transit? Maybe it might be more sensible to depart from Knysna and head towards Darwin. Then eventually head south down the WA coast. Comments???
Cheers from Jeff B
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01-09-2019, 23:42
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 60
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Home is eventually Brisbane, by the way!
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01-09-2019, 23:44
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 60
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
“Locals” suggest heading north towards mosembique but that part of Africa is pirate country. Hence my decision to stay well south of the equator...
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02-09-2019, 17:02
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gympie
Boat: Volkscruiser
Posts: 2,687
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Rod Heikell has a chapter in his book about going east across the Indian Ocean. Durban to Seychelles May to October 2100 miles. Then Seychelles to Chagos November to December 1010 miles. Then Chagos to Thailand 1760 miles. Then you can head down to Oz from there. That’s the basic idea and there is a heap more information in his book. Either southern or northern route I think will be hard work, why not head west and go through Panama if you have time?
Cheers
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03-09-2019, 09:17
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,181
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Durban to Perth would be easy enough... from then on to Brisbane would be harder work.
I second the Panama idea ...
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03-09-2019, 16:57
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Australia
Boat: Catalina 470
Posts: 4,578
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Quote:
Originally Posted by bushytales
Hi all, many thanks for the responses...I currently live in Knysna but before departing thought I might head NE towards Durban before heading east.
I’m not comfy with the thought of heading into the 40 degree + region. Roaring 40s and all those mountainous waves. I lived in Hobart some years ago and have a great respect for the weather down south.
Southern winter seems logical but, like the Queensland coast the SE will blow for months which would be a challenge to bash through for 2-3 months.
Has anyone tackled a west to east transit? Maybe it might be more sensible to depart from Knysna and head towards Darwin. Then eventually head south down the WA coast. Comments???
Cheers from Jeff B
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Absolutely, I would head west, much easier run if you want to eventually be on the east coast of oz. I crossed the southern Atlantic this year,easy run. I crossed the Indian the year before e-w not the latitudes your talking of, the Indian Ocean is the adult ocean ,I prefer the kiddie oceans
Btw I was in Knysna for 3 mths late last year, got to know Geoff, Pete,Colin etc (yachtclub)etc reasonably well ,did we meet?
Great place Knysna.
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03-09-2019, 17:08
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#15
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 30,598
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Re: Durban to Perth under sail
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Pinguino
Durban to Perth would be easy enough... from then on to Brisbane would be harder work.
I second the Panama idea ...
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Dunno about that.. Did Perth to E Tassie solo on a 30ftr a few years back and if you plan your hops/ports and keep an eye on the systems its no big deal.
But then it could be down to my famous Luck.
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