Sailing Avantivideo
Is there wind in Indonesia? Waters to Kupang EP90
16 November 2023 · 14 min · 715 views · Darwin
What this video covers
The 40-foot sailing yacht Avanti departs Darwin, Australia, for a 500-nautical-mile passage to Kupang, Indonesia, in light-wind conditions.1:36 After clearing out at Cullen Bay Marina, the crew faces a lack of wind that necessitates extensive motoring to conserve fuel and maintain a schedule.2:04 The passage spans approximately three and a half days, with the crew navigating through an oil platform area and encountering calm seas.3:39 To avoid arriving at the Kupang entrance at night, the crew heaves to and drifts for several hours, utilizing favorable currents along the coast of Timor to maintain progress without engine use.11:07 Despite the light winds, the crew manages to sail the final approach through the Strait of Ruti, arriving in Indonesian waters by the afternoon of the fourth day.12:58 The experience highlights the difficulty of timing passages in this region during the late season, where light winds often force a reliance on diesel reserves.
More from Sailing Avanti
From Sailing Avanti — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.