SailingAlonevideo

From tropical Queensland to Tasmania’s Roaring Forties. Go South! 1700 miles sailing alone

2 January 2025 · 11 min · 9K views · Pazifischer Ozean

What this video covers

Dunkeln sails the steel ketch reykja 1700 miles from Queensland to Tasmania, navigating the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea.0:27 Mechanical failures complicate the passage, including a broken steering belt and a damaged windlass motor.0:10 While entering the Burnett River near Bundaberg, the vessel runs aground on a sandbank due to strong currents; the crew deploys an anchor to stabilise the boat until the rising tide allows for extraction.2:40 During the coastal transit, the crew navigates the shallow Great Sandy Strait near Fraser Island despite high swell conditions.5:15 In the Bass Strait, 40-knot gusts overwhelm both the wind steering system and the autopilot, forcing hours of manual steering.7:01 When a jib halyard snaps during a gale, the crew heaves to, allowing the boat to lie stable across the waves until conditions improve.9:46 The voyage concludes at the Tamar River near Lowhead Lighthouse.10:45 Heaving to provides a reliable method for managing heavy weather and equipment failure while sailing solo.

Watch on YouTube

More from SailingAlone

6,000 km alone across the Indian Ocean – 28 days of blue water. From Christmas Island to La Réunion.Sept 20266000 km Alone Across the Indian Ocean – 28 Days of Ocean Sailing. Christmas Island to La Reunion.Sept 2026Birds, Crabs & Oil Pressure Crisis. Sailing 1500 Miles from Australia to Christmas IslandAug 2026Birds, Crabs & Oil Pump in Distress. 3000 Kilometers from Australia to Christmas IslandAug 2026

From SailingAlone — 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.

Report an issue