Sailing New England to Australia in February

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

Well if they have the capacity to do the run from R. I. To Perth the the last bit from there to Port Macquarie would be a doddle I reckon. There is at least one member of this forum who did much the same distance from West Australia to Tasmania just to fill in the idle couple of days.

True, but there are so many things that don't add up in the article, that there is a piss-take aspect about it.

I checked Jason's Facebook page and noticed he "likes" Sailing Anarchy, so he is probably a poster there and perhaps told the reporter a few "stories" to see if it gets discussed on the fuddy-duddy cruising forums

[Coastal]

hoppy,

I don't think they're joking. Word is that they haven't left yet but may be leaving today.

[Roniszoro]

Originally Posted by Coastal

hoppy,

I don't think they're joking. Word is that they haven't left yet but may be leaving today.

Well at the moment it is 14*F in Newport, RI.with the temperature dropping and snow in the forecast. Lovely way to start a journey, don't you think?

I think that perhaps this captain is a candidate to be Baker Acted...the involuntary institutionalization and examination of an individual...an involuntary commitment to an institution.

[tartansail]

Originally Posted by Coastal

hoppy,

I don't think they're joking. Word is that they haven't left yet but may be leaving today.

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

Well at the moment it is 14*F in Newport, RI.with the temperature dropping and snow in the forecast. Lovely way to start a journey, don't you think?

In addition to the snow, the 48 hour surface map is showing storm force winds offshore and the temp isn't going to get close to freezing for several days. Can the CG prevent them from departing?

[D&D]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Us Aussies are sometimes known to exhibit a larrikin behaviour, so has anyone thought that they are having a bit of fun with a small town reporter?

The distance via south Africa is closer to 12,000nm not the 8600miles in the report. Via the canal and Pacific (which seems more logical at this time of the year) is closer to the distance mentioned.

But I guess if it's in the media, it all must be 100% true.

We're with you hoppy.

Has anyone, amoungst the array of (admittedly caring and well-intended) commentators chirping in here, actually spoken to these alleged clueless miscreants?

A quick jag to starboard and through the Panama Canal would see them on a much shorter and friendlier (trade winds!) course across the Pacific, with some exquisite stop off points along the route, and on a near rhumb line to their home port. A bit of forethought should ensure they miss (or sit out, depending on how much of a hurry they are in) the cyclone seasons in both hemispheres. They can even avoid crossing the notorious Tasman against the prevailing winds (something we did not do in our own voyage over a similar route at the same time of year...with the Tasman ending up our worst weather by far out of the Med, Atlantic, Caribbean, & Pacific!) by an even smaller jag to starboard (more of a tweak in the course actually) so that they approach the Aus east coast via the Coral Sea aiming somewhere north of their home port, ideally sitting out the Aus cyclone season somewhere (perhaps the Caribbean, embarking through the Canal around May/June?) and then slipping down the Aus east coast with the spring northerlies in October/November to arrive home for Christmas...? Just sayin...

[tartansail]

Unfortunately, Marine Traffic now shows Sedona outside Narragansett Bay heading SSE. No destination is listed. Darwin may have another pair of awardees.

[four winds]

I wonder if they left today. Friday the 13th.

[bob_77903]

Shows them 15 nm sse of Narragansett Bay...

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions - AIS Marine Traffic

[Steadman Uhlich]

They could not be superstitious at all, leaving on Friday the 13th.....and there is the old sailors rule to never leave on a Friday.

He bought the boat for just $10,000 on EBay.

[Evenstar]

I wish them good luck, but I would be surprised if they make it all the way to Australia without having to put in somewhere.

[Coastal]

They just passed Block Island. NOAA is reporting on our latest winter storm, "Neptune" with predicted gale force winds and heavy seas. If they get into trouble, even trying to nip in will be near impossible.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Their stated destination is their home town Port Macquarie which is on the EAST coast, half way between Sydney & Brisbane which is another 2,500nm beyond Perth.

Either they are TOTALLY clueless or they were having a bit of fun with the reporter and perhaps sailing forums that pick up on the story.

They interviewed the kid and not the dad apparently ad we all know that kids are the best source of accurate information...

They certainly are not crossing the Atlantic North in winter so that's a good thing and a run down the coast is a good way to learn the bot and how to sail "properly"

I expect they will make ports 'o call and they will get various bits of advice. Plans will change.

The smartest thing they are doing is getting out of the freakin' snow - That's worth a lot of risk - LOL...

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

“We’ve got plenty of food, plenty of booze, good sails and all the safety gear you could ever need, so we’re going to be OK.”

Oh, now I get it - They're Aussies. They'll quit when the booze runs out

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Coastal

They just passed Block Island. NOAA is reporting on our latest winter storm, "Neptune" with predicted gale force winds and heavy seas. If they get into trouble, even trying to nip in will be near impossible.

Their last position is shown there (going 9 knots!), but it's 65 minutes old. Every other boat around them has a position that's less than 5 minutes old.

Either they turned off the AIS, or have a radio/AIS/electrical problem?

[adamsteel]

Oh but what an adventure, Dad is to live his dream sitting beside his son on a trip of a life time, great bonding should last for a life time of memories. Seem to remember a very young 15 year old girl doing something similar to this a few years ago, she lived her dream with the help from Mum and Dad and a great little yacht by the name of Pink Lady. She did herself and all Aussies proud by her adventure.
Enjoy your time McGlashan's from Port Macquarie we all wish you well

[savoir]

11f forecast minimum at Block Island tonight.

BRRRRRRR