Advice On Sailing Aus To New Caledonia

[jacquiee]

Hi, we would like some advice on the best time of year to sail from Brisbane to New Cal. We were thinking of around end August to Early September. The plan is for a short trip to test both ourselves and our boat for our planned cruise in a couple of years.

All comments and advice is welcome to help us with planning stages. I've had a look at the Cruising Wiki but didn't appear to have information on prevailing winds.

Thanks in advance

Jacquie

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Jacquie,

Here is a good site to access for passage weather :-CLICK you can contact them with specifics.

It is worthwhile reading Jimmy Cornell's 'World Cruising Routes'

# ISBN-10: 007140869X

# ISBN-13: 978-0071408691

Richard

PS.. winds prevail SE --- but very strong winds can still be a factor at that time of the year.

[mico]

Originally Posted by jacquiee

Hi, we would like some advice on the best time of year to sail from Brisbane to New Cal.

Hi Jacquie,

We are heading out to New Caledonia & Vanuatu from Brisbane in company with a yacht rally departing Brisbane May 2. This is our first blue water, so we have decided to err on the side of caution and join up with some more experienced yachties. Our original plans were to peel off from the rally as it headed across the top of Huon Reef at the northern end of New Cal and spend a couple of months cruising on our own before heading up to Vanuatu for another two months cruising and then head north west to join up with the Cairns - Louisaides Rally in September - sailing back to Cairns in company in late October.

Now after some discussions with the Vanuatu Rally organisers we're going to reverse our plans and stay with the Rally all the way to Vanuatu, cruise for a couple of months and then head back down to New Cal in late July and cruise there for another couple months. It's looking like work commitments wont allow us the luxury of heading up to the Louisiades so we'll sail straight back from New Cal to Cairns.

There is also the New Cal to Brisbane Rally in Sept that you are probably already aware of.

If you're interested - drop us a line as we are now all loaded up with cruising guides, contacts and a multitude of charts, pilots and odds 'n sods that you might find of helpful.

Fair winds,

Mico

[jacquiee]

Hi Mico, I tried to send you a PM but I mustnt have enough posts yet.

We were planning to sail direct from Brisbane to Noumea in September with an experienced crew member and join the port to port rally leaving noumea on 18 October. Like you we have work committments that dont allow us long for this trip. Its starting to look like at least two boats may join us for the trip over, but would continue on cruising, leaving us to return with the rally.

This is also our first blue water trip and we are busily researching and practising sailing in all weather. I guess we aren't far off with our timing since the rally's leave around the same time.

Would love to hear more about your preparation

Jacquie