How to sail over the top of Australia! And how not to make pancakes!
June 30, 2024 · 23 min · 12K views · Northern Territory
What this video covers
A crew sailing the catamaran Viento Del Mar completes a multi-day passage from Horn Island to Darwin, Australia, navigating the Wessel Islands and Alcora Bay.0:13 The route requires careful tidal planning to manage the 8-meter tidal range and strong currents in the straits leading to Darwin.16:23 The crew uses the Windy app to monitor tidal flow and current speed, timing their departure from Alcora Bay to four hours before the Darwin Harbour high tide to maximize favorable current.16:33 During the transit, the crew encounters wind-against-tide conditions near the Wessel Islands, resulting in choppy, turbid water and significant speed reduction.4:44 They manage light winds by using a spinnaker and occasionally running the engine.8:37 Upon arrival in Fanny Bay, the crew utilizes the Darwin Sailing Club facilities, including laundry and dinghy storage, before preparing for a passage to Indonesia.21:35 The crew notes that swimming is prohibited in many northern Australian anchorages due to the presence of crocodiles.1:13
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