Navigation challenge - hitting a bullet with a snail?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by StuM

Yep, Start 34S, Finish 38S, GC Route most southerly point. 58S.

GC Route S of Cape Leewen - still 54S

Adelaide 34S - GC Route due south of Adelaide - still 44S

Attached screen cap has 100 NM range rings from Adelaide.

StuM, thank you for that plot. That's really captured my imagination.

So, a question to those familiar with King Island...

How practical would it be to hang out at the island for a few days to a week beforehand, ready to pounce on the VOR boats as they sail past?

I have suitable ground tackle I think, between the Sarca for normal anchoring conditions and the Marsh Stockless if kelp or seagrass are a problem at the island.

[Wotname]

^^ I do believe the Ocean Dunes Hotel has a bar...


But yes this idea is worthy of more thought.

[Wotname]

Matt, clearly you missed this thread http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-a-185295.html

[Wotname]

I will have a read of the pilot later re King Island...(might be a good thing it didn't sell)!

[GILow]

My copy of the pilot is with the boat, 500 miles away. You are probably closer to your copy.

Just looking at the dates it appears they are due in Melbourne some time after the 27th of December. This basically implies I'd spend Christmas at King Island.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

My copy of the pilot is with the boat, 500 miles away. You are probably closer to your copy.

Just looking at the dates it appears they are due in Melbourne some time after the 27th of December. This basically implies I'd spend Christmas at King Island.

Yes it does suggest that!

After a quick read of thePilot, King Island seems doable anchorage / shelter wise.

[GILow]

Hmmm. Christmas at King Island anyone?

[StuM]

Originally Posted by GILow

My copy of the pilot is with the boat, 500 miles away. You are probably closer to your copy.

Just looking at the dates it appears they are due in Melbourne some time after the 27th of December. This basically implies I'd spend Christmas at King Island.

In that case, Christmas and New Year Islands are only about 6NM off the GC track

Apparently there are decent anchorages there.
https://jackandjude.com/anchorages/tasmania/tas_king/

[GILow]

Oh yes, I should have thought of Jack and Jude. They have written some very good anchorage guides for my part of the world.

[JPA Cate]

Hi Matt,

If you have Cmaps and Open CPN, you can evaluate the anchorage on the SE corner of
King Island for yourself.

Might be easier in some ways to intercept them in Port Philip Bay, near the finish line. It is just that any local conditions, local wind vortices may affect their courses where there is room to spread out, but they will come together in the race for the finish line. Find out where the finish line is, and hang out near there, especially if you want photos.

The other idea, sailing easily out of Adelaide, and keeping yourself positioned so as to be able to be home in a timely fashion, also has some virtue. If what you really want is some nice quiet time at sea with the elements--whatever they bring at the time--then the goal is less important.

If the high centers move south enough, you could have easterlies for the trip home.

Ann & Jim

[martinworswick]

they're almost due south of cape leeuwin,maybe 5 days to go,are you still considering doing this?

[GILow]

Alas no, I am going to have to let them pass.

I think it might have been possible but the timing was all wrong. Too close to Christmas. Maybe next time.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by GILow

Alas no, I am going to have to let them pass.

I think it might have been possible but the timing was all wrong. Too close to Christmas. Maybe next time.

Once again, the exigencies of life get in the way of plans. I'm sorry, Matt, that it didn't work out. We haven't been in the harbor on the SE corner of King Is., yet, but people do use it, and for the wx we've had, it would offer protection. As you say, maybe next time.

Ann

[GILow]

Wow! That hurts. The current position reports put the lead boats MUCH closer to Adelaide than I expected.

Still, if rather spend Christmas with my son than watch a bunch of steroidal windsurfers bashing through the waves. :^)

[JPA Cate]

Best wishes for the holidays, Matt.

Ann & Jim