Armchair sailor here looking at New Zealand on Google Earth. Has anyone here circumnavigated both the North and South Islands, including a passage through the Cook Strait? It seems quite challenging given the ocean currents.
Posted by liaisontosuccess@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 15 comments
FarAwaySailor@reddit
Dude, people in Wellington sail to Picton fairly regularly, and vice versa.
wkavinsky@reddit
Crossing the straight is a vastly different proposition to sailing through it.
FarAwaySailor@reddit
I've sailed it several times. You have to know how to time it, and wait for weather.
wkavinsky@reddit
So have I.
Sailing the straight is still vastly more difficult skill wise than crossing to Picton (which still isn't a low skill sailing exercise, for most of the world, it's just the "low skill" kiwi sailors I've met are better than most sailors in the rest of the world by default).
FarAwaySailor@reddit
According to NZ govt, they need protecting from themselves, hence the CAT1 requirement for escape!
infield_fly_rule@reddit
Collin on Parlay Revival just did that
liaisontosuccess@reddit (OP)
I’ll check it out, thanks
vanalden@reddit
Captain Cook did it in 1769.
TheFluffiestRedditor@reddit
He also had the worst valentines day ever. Yay, the Hawaiians.
buttrumpus@reddit
Ha, came here for this
liaisontosuccess@reddit (OP)
Right, I read a biography on him years ago and do have some vague memories of his time in New Zealand. Thanks for reminding me, I'll go back and have a re-read. With what is known now about ocean currents, weather and what not, I'm imagining there may be an optimized way to go about a circumnavigation. Cheers.
kcmike@reddit
Check out older episodes of Sailing Parley Revival. Pretty sure they sailed around one or both.
Random-Mutant@reddit
I have friends who compete in the Round North Island two-handed series.
People have sailed these islands for hundred of years, however several parts you need to be prepared to stand off the land for up to a week in case of bad weather, that is abandon coastal cruising and put to sea proper.
sola_mia@reddit
Where is this map from? Are there more? Cool.
liaisontosuccess@reddit (OP)
See if this works : https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/5912/ocean-currents-around-new-zealand#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20is%20bathed%20from,Campbell%20Plateau%20and%20Chatham%20Rise.