Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Regional Cruising > Pacific & Australasia > Regional Discussion Topics
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-22-2012, 11:31 AM   #1
Moderator
 
delatbabel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 700
Send a message via AIM to delatbabel
Default Cook Strait

I'm looking at a passage on a boat from just north of Sydney to Christchurch (Lyttleton). The most obvious direct route is through the Cook Strait. Has anyone (I know there are some NZ locals on this board) sailed this recently that can offer some advice? Or should we just avoid it and go around the top? Time of year would likely be mid January.
__________________

__________________
= New South Wales, Queensland,
delatbabel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2012, 03:33 PM   #2
Admiral
 
Auzzee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Home Port: Darwin
Vessel Name: Sandettie
Posts: 1,917
Default

It's pretty much uphill all the way. See if you can get a peek at the relevent passage notes in Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising Routes. My father (86) is soon to do Hamilton Island to NZ.
Tough trip!
Best wishes.
__________________

__________________
"if at first you don't succeed....Redefine success"!


Auzzee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2012, 10:07 AM   #3
Moderator
 
delatbabel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 700
Send a message via AIM to delatbabel
Default

Yes, I realise the Aus->NZ leg is pretty much all uphill, I was after more specific information about Cook Strait transit west to east.
__________________
= New South Wales, Queensland,
delatbabel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2012, 12:32 PM   #4
Ensign
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
Default

A Kiwi from Nelson Bays here, The strait can be pretty miserable if the weather is wrong, but on the plus side you can anchor off the Abel Tasman park and wait for the weather to let you cross the bay and round the point into the marlbrough sounds if you don't feel up to dashing right through.

If the weather is good it's a cake walk through with a following wind, but being a gap between two mountain ranges, the winds and waves in the strait do get big and choppy at times.

You would get a lot more info on the local conditions at crew.org.nz - the online home of New Zealand sailing
__________________
SCUBAKiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2012, 12:30 AM   #5
Moderator
 
delatbabel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 700
Send a message via AIM to delatbabel
Default

Thanks, that's the sort of information I was after. I have registered on the forums at crew.org.nz and so I'll ask there. So you think the worst part is crossing the Tasman Bay? I was actually thinking of a stop in Nelson so I'd probably pick a line from the Abel Tasman park about south east into Nelson and wait there for a good weather window. In addition I'd need to go to a clearing in port before landing so although anchoring off the park sounds good, before going ashore I'd need to clear in via Nelson or somewhere similar anyway.
__________________
= New South Wales, Queensland,
delatbabel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2012, 10:51 AM   #6
Ensign
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
Default

Hmm, no, the bay itself is pretty calm, being protected by the Farewell Spit and the cape, but from what you wrote I thought you would be aiming on a shoot straight through, and down the east coast rather than run down to Nelson first.

Nelson is a Port of Entry, so you can pull in there after the Tasman crossing, check in with customs, stock up on the groceries and other chores before heading through the strait.

For NZ weather New Zealand Weather Forecasts is good. That is run by the Meteorology dept of the Victoria Uni of Wellington. I find them more accurate than the TV news!
__________________
SCUBAKiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2012, 12:57 PM   #7
Moderator
 
delatbabel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 700
Send a message via AIM to delatbabel
Default

OK, thanks for the info, quite helpful. I've already got the metvuw site bookmarked.

Unfortunately it doesn't provide accurate forecasts 18 months in advance so as a general principle, subject to change as I get near the coast and pick up forecasts, what do you think of the plan of heading direct to Nelson across Tasman Bay, clearing in there, hanging out for a decent weather window, and then heading up past d'Urville island and into the strait from there. Stopping perhaps to duck into the Marlborough Sounds if it looks a bit hairy? Time of year would be mid January.

Is it worth ducking into Q. Charlotte Sound anyway and going out via Okukari? Or best head around the top so I don't have to play tag with ferries? Similarly French Pass inside the big island looks like it might save some miles at the expense of potential current issues, what would the local advice be?

Thanks,
__________________
= New South Wales, Queensland,
delatbabel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2012, 06:47 AM   #8
Ensign
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
Default

My experience around the sounds is powerboats and shore based SCUBA diving I'm afraid, so I haven't studied the currents much as sufficient Hp makes them if not irrelevant, at least less worrisome, I sailed up Kawhia harbour and around the Auckland/Coromandel area.

Currently I am in China, Chongqing on the Yangtze.

There are Picton and Nelson sailors on the crew forum who would know more than me. But from my rather sketchy grasp of local issues, for a sailboat I would suggest heading straight through the strait if you will be using sails, if you wish to use the sounds, for a first visit until you experience the winds there yourself, stick to motoring. The hills around the sounds make winds very changeable once you are inside.
__________________

__________________
SCUBAKiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cook/companion/crew/deckhand trulymadlysalsa Crew Positions Wanted 2 02-14-2012 06:44 PM
Captain And Cook/deckhand Team Available MaineSailor Crew Positions Wanted 0 11-12-2011 02:11 PM
Muar - In The Strait Of Malacca MMNETSEA Regional Discussion Topics 3 12-28-2007 10:45 PM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×