Cape Town to Oz

[malgazz]

Next year planning trip that will originate Cape Town, sailing Northward upto Richards Bay, Mozambique Channel, finally ending in Brisbane.

I know this is unusual route,but would like to tackle a scenic route rather the southerly route taken a few years ago. Looking for places to stop and warmer weather.

If anyone has any help, suggestions, tips, times to go would be much appreciated

Tks

Gazza

[rumrunner]

Gazza,

For charts, weather info and general advice in the Indian Ocean, contact http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za . Tony knows the Indian Ocean backwards, (if he is not there "Kat" is also great at helping).

Now, what worries me is you are planning to head across the top of OZ.. difficult to say the least. Unless you plan on motoring all the way.

The wet season is from Nov/May. That means you are in the cyclone season. The dry season is May/Apr and that also means Easterlies across the top of OZ and in the northern Indian Ocean... not good.

Understand what you have in mind, but I say don't do it, go the longer way (quicker in the long run) around and head to Freo then across the bottom of OZ to Melbourne/Sydney /Brisbane.

Lets see what others advise.

rumrunner...

[Tony]

Hi Gazza,

The voyage you are contemplating is often done, mainly by yachts heading to S E Asia. The timing is pretty important, as Rumrunner suggests, as the South Indian Cyclone season extends from November to end April and extends into Northern Australian Waters too. An alternative would be to sail through the Malacca Strait and on to Singapore. All in all a very long trip. The best time to sail North into the Mozambique Channel would be May/June, favouring either side of the Channel to be out of the strongest part of the current, and if on the African side, crossing the Channel at it's narrowest, and making landfall around Nose Be, and then on to the Seychelles etc. Another alternative would be to sail the East African Coast, and then make your way into the Indian Ocean. Have a look at http://www.seerose.cruiser.co.za . "Seerose" sailed the East African Coast, and went on to Thailand.

With regards, Tony

Cruising Connections

tony@cruisingconnections.co.za

http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za

My suggestion is to have a good look at Tony's website http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za - particularly

1) The weather page for assistance whilst sailing up the East African coast.

2) The discussion forum on his webpage - for information on the Indian Ocean.

Also, http://www.cruiser.co.za/africa.asp for East African coast information.

Fair winds.