Hi giys
So I've booked my flights back to Australia, arrive back on my boat 10th May and believe me I can't wait!
The plan is to change my standing rigging and some other jobs in Airlie beach then late May sail to Vanuatu.This will be my first longish passage. I'm guessing I won't really have the most favourable winds but hope to get onto a spell of Southerly's.
About halfway over I see there is a big atoll with some small islands. Does anyone have experience with stopping there?
I'm guessing its only feasible in calm weather but it would make for a nice little break.
G'day Dexport,
I'll be interested in any responses you receive too. I'm thinking about doing this trip solo but from Brisbane, then flying wife dearest and the kids over to meet up with me over there.
Whats the prevailing weather you're expecting at this time of year?
Hey Shaggy
Ha, I was going to do the same but my girl didn't want me to go Solo on my first big passage so she's coming now too. After some research I found that the spot in the middle is Chesterfield Reefs and offers a nice halfway point stop over. Hopefully it will be relatively calm and we can stay there2-3 days, looks amazing out there.
I'm thinking prevailing winds will be SE, hopefully S & SW sometimes. I'll get a Predictwind routing closer to departure time.
So dexport when do you think youll be leaving Airlie?
Im also planning on heading over that way but later.
When will you jump off to nz?
How did you go with the ships reg?
So many questions sorry!
Shaggy, have a look at the pilot charts on this website. It might give you a bit of an idea what the weather historically does at various times of the year.
www.offshoreblue.com/navigation/pilot-charts.php
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
So dexport when do you think youll be leaving Airlie?
Im also planning on heading over that way but later.
When will you jump off to nz?
How did you go with the ships reg?
So many questions sorry!
Hi Steve
I plan to leave as soon as possible, all things going well with the rigging change and the other jobs I'll be ready to leave end of May. Then just wait for a good weather window.
I havent changed Nautilus to a NZ registered boat yet but it seems pretty straight forward and I'll do that in April. I'll not be sailing to NZ though, the plan is to spend 1-2 months in Vanuatu then head north through the Solomons. Haven't really planned any further than that yet but I'll be needing to find somewhere safe to leave the boat by the end of September.
I'd love to have diving gear aboard but at this stage its not gonna happen. Only so much room for toys aboard my little tub. I can snorkel to 10m easy though so should be able to see a bit while out there. I guess there are some good wrecks to dive?
I've heard that to visit Chesterfield, you need to get permission from the New Caledonians as it's their territory. Shouldn't be a problem as they are a nice friendly lot in Noumea. I've also hear that' Chesterfield is well worth stopping for a look. I hope you get there. Where will you clear customs, Mackay maybe?
HI Crusoe
Yeah I was wondering about that, I'll look into the regulations. Cant imagine there is often anyone out there controlling things.
Select to expand quoteCrusoe said..
I've heard that to visit Chesterfield, you need to get permission from the New Caledonians as it's their territory. Shouldn't be a problem as they are a nice friendly lot in Noumea. I've also hear that' Chesterfield is well worth stopping for a look. I hope you get there. Where will you clear customs, Mackay maybe?
I'll be in Airlie changing my rigging and I heard last season that the customs guys will actually come to Airlie to complete check out so I'll do that unless its stupid expensive, otherwise I'll sail down to Mackay.
