The boat is a Najad 360 based in Langkawi Malasya. Wish to sail it to Western Australia (Perth).
Need to get advice from those who have done part or whole of that journey from either direction
could do with the following info:
1. Name of good pilot books ?
2. Best time of year for the trip ? ( travelling South from malasya).
3. Any points of interest for stop overs ?
4. Number of days to complete trip ?
5. Could you expect descent sailing winds or is it days of motoring.?
just briefly because some will want to know my experience for this trip. Sailing 35 years RYA Yachtmaster with Ocean endorsement. Trip across the Atlantic And European counties.
I haven't done that trip, however I can say that the part from Indonesia to WA is generally undertaken during our winter (May onwards) as the prevailing winds in the summer are SW.
Better get a move in if you want to get back this year... or face a tougher time later! Or do it next season.
It's nearing the end of the dry season in Thailand/Malaysia and with it the nice NE Trade winds.
From Singapore you have a choice, duck down thru the Sundra Straights, below Java and aim South. Or Keep North of Java and go East. Both have pros and cons. But come May/June/July your going to be punching into SE trade winds.
If you go south into the Indian ocean over the winter (Oz Season) you could potentially sail as South as you can and try and use the prevailing Westerlies out to sea to approach Perth from more of a West direction. (Maybe score a few NW storms to push you home)
Big con is a long, open passage. No idea of time... maybe 3 weeks at sea once you pass Indo??
Going over Java will be a lot flatter but motoring into the trade winds. Once you pass Bali or maybe Lombok look at diving down to the NW of WA and hugging the coast down to Perth. That coast of WA heading south really needs to be done over the winter months when of coarse the SW sea breeze is light or non-existent. You could potentially enjoy some beautiful sailing on a beam reach with a lovely off-shore breeze.
If you do end up in North WA in the summer and HAVE to have the yacht in Perth then pick your weather windows. Battling south in 35 knots will test your nerves!
I've done the trip the other way on our yacht. Six months leisurely cruising from Perth to Dampier (Leaving Perth in March and enjoying the incredible WA coast). Then 7.5 days sail from Dampier to Bali (mixture of sailing and motoring. Up and over the top of Java (again motoring a lot) Then up the West side of Sumatra (which you will avoid). We weren't in a rush and we had tail winds mostly.
Biggest tip I can give you. Take a lot of fuel, plenty of fuel filters and pick your windows.
Cheers.
