We did it in August from Brisbane in our 33' double ender Mico although we ended up at the top end of New Cal at Huon Reef and then continued up to the Banks Islands in Vanuatu before coming back down around the bottom and into Noumea. Drop us an email and I'll send our passage notes. We had a bit of a slog to windward all the way for 13 days but it was not overly uncomfortable - just a bit on the cool side. Mico only had a dodger and a light bimini cover so we got a bit damp on a few occasions. Her cutter rig was great for running so close, when a number of the other vessels, who left at the same time, could only make Chesterfield Reef as they found the angle too shy.
We're going to miss Mico's windward sailing ability as Australis II is more comfortable on a beam reach and sorely needs an inner staysail for heading upwind - something we are saving our pennies for. Given that I've just spent a fortune on hull work and 3 months in Borneo (initially only a two week trip planned) - she may have to wait till next year for that as I've also just ordered a new set of glass matt batteries and a new RIB to replace the brand new one I lost overboard sailing down from Kudat in some massive seas (stay tuned for a report of Australis's Borneo haulout saga - coming to a cinema near you!
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If anyone is sailing down from Palawan and comes across a mint condition dinghy bobbing about all alone - its mine and we'll gladly reimburse and reward you for dropping into the marina in Kota Kinabalu and just leaving it on our back deck
Fair winds,
Mico/Australis
Brisbane to Noumea?
sounds like a wonderful thing to do! Hopefully someone with some local knowledge comes along soon with more answers for you.
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