I've been offered work in Sydney and live aboard in Cairns, has anyone got any opinions about sailing south at this time of year? We have a 15m spray motorsailer with a 170hp motor. Obviously head wind most of the way but doable?
Yes headwinds, but give yourself some time for weather windows, $ for diesel and entirely possible. Option of heading out wide into EAC? Once past Fraser island you can often get some sw instead of se in may. Lord Howe stop? Any other bright ideas?...
Cheers good to hear some positivity :) I'm planning on a motorsail most of the way to brisbane, at least I'll be able to drive straight into the anchorages!
Watermusic. Take note of the tides on the Qld coast in the reef areas. In some places they run very strong north/south. You will save time and fuel if you plan to use the tide to your advantage and not push into it. In some places you can have a boat speed of five knots and an SOG of one knot. Another point, if the winds are south/south east as they usually are consider motorsailing at night when the wind is lighter on non existent and you are not punching into the swell and resting in the day. Your Spray will also have a bit of windage so you will save there by resting in day and motor sailing at night as well.
From Cairns down to Gladstone you can do the whole bit with Island overnight stops and from there 36 hours or so to Harvey Bay.
As Santana says, When south of Fraser take advanatage of the East Australian Current, it generally runs at two to three knots. An example of it is that late last year I did the trip from Soutport to Coffs Harbour, about 150 nautical miles in almost 24 hours exactly. That is in a 31 footer, you would do better in the Spray.
We might pass along the way. I am heading to Townsville at the moment. Although currently in Manly for a short (I hope) stay.
Cheers, Rick
Cheers rick, I sailed up a year ago and worked the tides, but hand info re the east aus current, is that found offshore or along the coast?
Hi Watermsic,
The East Auis Current is generally useful from just south of Fraser Island. I normally go south to Southoprt and head south at roughly SSE which will take you into the current. The current is easy t pick up if you head for the continental shelf which is defined by the deep water on your chart.
If you have a water temp guage on board, a drop of 2 degree or more will generally mean you are i the current. From memory, I think it is about 61% ferenhiight.
A google search will easily find it for you or a decent chart plotter will locate it.
It is well worth looking for, generally if you are fifteen nautical miles or so offshore you will be in the current although in some places you will be quite close to the shore.
It is well worth a google search,
Cheers, Rick.
