AusCan
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2012
- Messages
- 3,218
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Kokanee
- Vessel Make
- Cuddles 30 Pilot House Motor Sailer
I'm finally on my way home from another month in the Middle East. Sitting at the Dubai airport and planning my trip to Kangaroo Island next week. I've been eager to make this trip for many years, but this is the first boat that I have had which I feel is capable of doing the trip safely (on a good day). KI is one of my favourite places on this planet, but it is somewhat of a challenge to get to. My good buddy from the Gold Coast is flying down to join me. I'm soooo looking forward to it.
From Adelaide, the trip to KI involves a 100 km (60 mile) cruise down the Gulf of St Vincent, which is considered semi-protected waters. The swell here in the gulf is rarely over 10 feet, usually 2-6 ft. The challenging part is the final 30 km across Backstairs Passage. This is the section I have yet to cross, other than by ferry. It has a 4+ knot current as the tide runs in\out. With big Southern Ocean swell sometimes coming from both the W and SE and then meeting in the narrow passage, it can turn into a washing machine on a bad day.
I've done the crossing on the Sealink ferry when they've chained down all the cars and had 25 foot waves breaking over the boat. (they cancel the ferry when it gets really bad)
So I'm watching the weather closely, although the forecast changes dramatically day by day. The only thing I can somewhat rely on a week in advance is the tidal forecast, and even that varies considerably with wind direction and strength.
So I'll just make sure the boat is ready, and be patient for the right window of opportunity.
From Adelaide, the trip to KI involves a 100 km (60 mile) cruise down the Gulf of St Vincent, which is considered semi-protected waters. The swell here in the gulf is rarely over 10 feet, usually 2-6 ft. The challenging part is the final 30 km across Backstairs Passage. This is the section I have yet to cross, other than by ferry. It has a 4+ knot current as the tide runs in\out. With big Southern Ocean swell sometimes coming from both the W and SE and then meeting in the narrow passage, it can turn into a washing machine on a bad day.
I've done the crossing on the Sealink ferry when they've chained down all the cars and had 25 foot waves breaking over the boat. (they cancel the ferry when it gets really bad)
So I'm watching the weather closely, although the forecast changes dramatically day by day. The only thing I can somewhat rely on a week in advance is the tidal forecast, and even that varies considerably with wind direction and strength.
So I'll just make sure the boat is ready, and be patient for the right window of opportunity.