San Fran to Syndey: how long does it take?

[sailorssunset]

Hello! I am new to this web site! It was recommended to me by someone on Facebook. I would like to know: How long would it take to sail from San Francisco to Sydney, AUS. And what would be the ideal boat for the task...sailing SOLO!!

Also...what time of year is best?

Thanks everyone!

 

[sailingdog]

What is your budget?

What is your sailing experience/background?

What boat is ideal really depends on so many different variables, it is hard to say what would be the best boat for you. Much of what would be available to you depends on your budget. If your budget is $40,000 then, you'll have a certain selection of boats, if your budget is $250,000, then you'll have a much wider choice.

How long would it take? That really depends on where you stop along the way, and for how long... There are a lot of places to visit along the way, if you choose to do so.

Assuming you stop in Hawaii, the best time to make that leg of the trip is April-May or October-November, with April-May being preferred—as there is no risk of a RTS during that period. That leg is about 2100 nm.

Another possible route would be to head further south, going to the Marquesas instead of Hawaii as your first leg. That trip is best done starting in March-May, and is almost 3000 nm long.

From either of those points, there are quite a few choices of how to go next. I'd highly recommend you read the pilot charts and get a copy of Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising Routes, for planning purposes.

 

[Roger Long]

I suggest you read back through this blog:

http://www.zacsunderland.com/blog/

It will give you a good feel for times, conditions, as well as some pictures.

Sounds like you are a dreamer or you would have answered this question with some basic navigation knowledge and and perhaps hour of weather research on the internet. Blogs like this are a good way to dream.

Here is another good dreaming blog site:

http://www.donnalange.com/

This one is especially good for dreaming because she made the circumnavigation in a very inexpensive and modest 26 foot boat with only a very few years of sailing experience. I mentioned her in another thread. Four big strong guys in a 45 footer with a professional delivery captain left Bermuda and hit a gale. Four days later, they called for a chopper and left the boat which was later towed in virtually undamaged. A couple years later, along comes this grandmother, alone in a much smaller boat. She gets into a major storm. After losing her self steering gear, she spends 36 hours at the helm in much worse conditions and brings the boat into Bermuda unassisted. That says a lot about the aspect of seamanship that is all too little discussed.

 

[Ross]

http://www.landlpardey.com/Where/Where_Now.html

These folks just completed a trip from the west coast to New Zealand. Their web site will give you plenty to think about for the winter. their boat is 28 feet on deck. But it was built for voyaging.

 

[sailingdog]

One correction, Inspired Insanity was a Southern Cross 28, not a 26' boat. It is one of the boats on James Baldwin's list of pocket bluewater craft, which can be found here.

Here is another good dreaming blog site:

http://www.donnalange.com/

This one is especially good for dreaming because she made the circumnavigation in a very inexpensive and modest 26 foot boat with only a very few years of sailing experience. I mentioned her in another thread. Four big strong guys in a 45 footer with a professional delivery captain left Bermuda and hit a gale. Four days later, they called for a chopper and left the boat which was later towed in virtually undamaged. A couple years later, along comes this grandmother, alone in a much smaller boat. She gets into a major storm. After losing her self steering gear, she spends 36 hours at the helm in much worse conditions and brings the boat into Bermuda unassisted. That says a lot about the aspect of seamanship that is all too little discussed.

 

[Ross]

Tania Abei Circumnavigated in a 26 Contessa . Again definitely a blue water boat.

 

[Roger Long]

One correction, Inspired Insanity was a Southern Cross 28, not a 26' boat. It is one of the boats on James Baldwin's list of pocket bluewater craft, which can be found here.

Oops. Thanks for the correction. It doesn't take anything away from her achievement though.

Regarding Baldwin's list: Like just about every list of boats, it omits the Endeavour 32. While they did a lot of things on the cheap when building these boats, they are very solid. I wouldn't call them "blue water boats" in the usual sense but there are boats on the list that I would be much less comfortable going offshore in. I mean that in both the physical and the confidence sense.

The E32 is is one of the most intelligently designed boats of her class and time. The driest boat I've ever sailed and with the best handling characteristics in challenging conditions. They have got to be just about the least appreciated, relative to their actual qualities, boats ever built in fiberglass.

 

[sailingdog]

It doesn't take anything away from Donna's accomplishments, but I felt that the correct boat should be given credit.

Oops. Thanks for the correction. It doesn't take anything away from her achievement though.

Regarding Baldwin's list: Like just about every list of boats, it omits the Endeavour 32. While they did a lot of things on the cheap when building these boats, they are very solid. I wouldn't call them "blue water boats" in the usual sense but there are boats on the list that I would be much less comfortable going offshore in. I mean that in both the physical and the confidence sense.

Drop Jim a note and mention the Endeavour 32... he might add it. He added a couple boats I mentioned...

The E32 is is one of the most intelligently designed boats of her class and time. The driest boat I've ever sailed and with the best handling characteristics in challenging conditions. They have got to be just about the least appreciated, relative to their actual qualities, boats ever built in fiberglass.

 

[Ross]

Sunset Sailor, You gotta come back and tell us more of your dream. When you cross the ocean at its widest you will be passing hundreds of islands along the way. It would be a wonderful opportunity to meet many people of a different way of life.

 

[Randyonr3]

We're making the trip you speak of and leaving this next week from our home in the
California delta. A quick bottom job and final inspection at Svendsens in Alameda and we're out the Gate for the next few years
If time is a factor, you may want to fly, as its the trip and not the destination that is the exciting part.
Time factors are governed by a number of things you wont have crontrol of, such as the ITCZ and the weather.
As a first timer, I'd suggest checking out Lattitude 38 and the HA HA for the types of boats and then keep an eye on the "puddle jump" group from yahoo.
This time out, our plans are to goof off for the next 3 months as we work our way to Panama and around the middle to the end of March we'll head for the Galapagos for a couple weeks, and then its off to FP and points east..
Something to think about, Many major events take place in the islands in june and july so with a standard visa, and only allowed a limmited amount of time to stay there, you'll want to plan to leave to take advantage of these events,
as the season continues, you'll work your way east and in the fall, head for NZ as many do or head for OZ to be out of the lattitudes where storms will be building.
As I said, we'll spend the winter with friends in Brisbane, and following season, its on to Africa.
Back to your origional question of "how long" ... 60 days if you push it in a 35 to 40 foot boat, but doing it "SOLO",.. now that something else.. Not saying you cant, I'm a former member of the Single Handed Sailing Society of the SF area and have known many who have done the Single Handed Trans Pac, so I know its possible, but the question is "do you want to push yourself that hard ?"
We're building a site on our travels and will have it up soon so you can track our trip to OZ at - SailingOnR3.com
And If your in the area, come on over to Alameda after the 29th and I'll give you a tour of our First 42. She's one stout boat and equepted for everything you'd want to have for a trip around the world............
Randy on R3

 

[geospearit]

Sunset Sailor, You gotta come back and tell us more of your dream. When you cross the ocean at its widest you will be passing hundreds of islands along the way. It would be a wonderful opportunity to meet many people of a different way of life.

Hi there! I'm not Sunset but I'd like to pick up on that dream for a second. Really, my dream is to own a boat... but uhhh, I'm getting ready for law school (if I get in) next fall 09'. So my question is this: Where does one look or post in order to be part of a crew? I would looove to be out in the wide open ocean until I tie myself down with further studying and get some more real-world studies in. Families, couples and young(er) vagabonds would be the ideal owners... going through sites like "findacrew" and "workonaboat" I see that most ppl looking for crew are older men interested in female crew/romantic relationships. I hope to find someone looking for a family friendly couple. Where should I look?
(perhaps I should have started my own thread lol)