Sailing Avantivideo
Crazy Darwin Tidal Currents EP88
November 2, 2023 · 13 min · 593 views · Dundas Strait
What this video covers
Gerard and Jacqueline, sailing the yacht Avanti, navigate the Gulf of Van Diemen to reach Darwin, Australia.Watch To avoid a 90-mile detour, the crew chooses the shortcut through the Gulf, which requires precise timing to manage spring tide currents reaching four knots.0:57 The crew calculates a seven-knot average speed over ground to ensure they exit the passage before the tide turns against them.7:31 During the transit, they encounter fickle winds and must motor-sail to maintain progress, occasionally facing wind-against-current conditions that create steep, uncomfortable waves.6:26 Despite losing wind and needing to motor for several hours, the favorable tidal flow boosts their speed over ground to nine or ten knots.11:30 They complete the 100-mile passage through the Gulf of Van Diemen in under 12 hours.11:58 Timing the transit to coincide with favorable spring tides allows the vessel to maintain high speeds over ground even when wind conditions are light or unfavorable.
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