J&B you can sail a 14 ft
Hobie cat from
Sydney to Cairns no problem. I did when I was 18, many many years ago when I had all the time in the world.
Ho Hum Them were the days.
Any way back to your OP. I see from your profile that you are in the
Med, hence the reason for the visa question I suppose. So, then do I presume you are not Australian citizens? If so what is your nationality. That has a huge bearing on your ability to get a visa. If you don't plan to
work in OZ then it is a lot easier. You will need to show enough
money to support yourself for your proposed time of stay in OZ.
I know nothing about Manitou 32's but I see there are quite a few
for sale in OZ at the moment and that JFK once owned one. So he probably knew his boats.
They look like reasonable monos and could easily get you to Cairns. If you are new to sailing and don't want to do overnight
sails - you take your time and make sure you arrive at the next town's entrance bar in DAYLIGHT & have an INCOMING tide you should have little problem,
day sailing from Sydney to the Gold Coast. Importantly, don't rush or have timetables. That's what will kill even the most experienced sailor.
Once you get to the Gold Coast (our version of
Florida - theme parks, tack, high rises, bikinis etc etc), the coast starts to
head NW (actually happens after Byron Bay - the most easterly point in OZ). Hence most
anchorages are behind headlands & are protected from the prevailing SE's and you don't have to do bar crossings except for Moolalabah entrance & the Wicked Old Wide Bay Bar at the bottom of Fraser island (need to especially plan your crossings here.)
The best
books for the coast from Sydney to Cairns are the two written by Alan Lucas. He explains about bar crossings in the NSW Coastal Cruising book. Lucas writes a column in an online cruising magazine where you can also
purchase the latest edition of his
books. There are plenty of second hand editions rolling around book shops in OZ.
The mag is well worth reading free on line for heaps of info on Oz crusing.
The Coastal Passage Home Page
Other cruisers will be more than happy to give you up to date info when you arrive. Fair winds & good sailing