southport to Sydney / 383nm / 14 - 20 dec 2023
6 days / coastal cat 2 PASSAGE / Event #2322 / SILVER FERN & Salt Lines / CREW FULL WAITLIST ONLY
The coastal Category 2 passage from Southport on Queensland’s Gold Coast to Sydney in New South Wales is a great coastal passage for building sea miles, confidence and experience. You’ll help sail the yacht to Sydney in preparation for our entry in the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starting on Boxing Day.
We’ll depart Southport and head south-east to Cape Byron, the eastern most point of Australia, before altering course for Sydney. This 3 - 5 day sail south with the current behind us, is a challenging 383nm course with ships, reefs and islands to navigate past.
Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.
AUD$2,450
6 days
The 383nm route from Southport to the CYCA in Sydney.
Additional media
Check out photo gallery highlights from previous ocean passages.
HERES WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Training in the use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.
Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.
Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Itinery
You can fly directly into Gold Coast or Brisbane on or before the 14th December 2023 in time to join us for a crew welcome dinner. On the morning of the 15th we will complete safety training and familiarise you with the yacht before departing around midday for Sydney. Depending on wind direction and currents it should be about 3-5 days to sail to Sydney to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), host of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, where we should arrive by the 19th December. At the CYCA, the history of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is on display including the hulls of every race winner and all of the perpetual race trophies awarded each year. You should plan to fly out of Sydney at or after 5pm on the 20th of December.
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals in Southport and Sydney, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete either a 5-hour online or 2-day classroom based Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent prior to departure.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
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