After launching our latest build, Wilma 2, a semi-displacement power catamaran, we embarked on our maiden delivery voyage from New Zealand to Australia. This journey combined careful planning, challenging conditions, and memorable moments. With a crew of four, including the owner, the trip was an opportunity to test the boat's performance and resilience in various sea states.
Preparation
Being a brand-new vessel with only 190 nautical miles logged, there was always a lingering concern that something might have been overlooked. The build team spent countless hours meticulously checking every system and component.
Before departure, Starlink communications had already posed challenges, making it a priority to resolve. Bay Marine Electronics went above and beyond, working tirelessly to address the frustrating issues that had plagued us for weeks.
The FLIR camera also didn’t perform to the standard we expected. Unfortunately, the nearest experts capable of resolving the problem were based in Sydney. We decided to wait until we reached Sydney, assuming we wouldn’t need the camera much in the meantime—an oversight that became clear where it would have been beneficial on the final night!
All loose items and parts that could come free or shift were secured, locked, or tied down. Food was kept simple and easy to prepare. For safety, we carried two EPIRBs: one fixed to the boat and the other a handheld version stored in the grab bag containing our passports and a small supply of food and water.
Setting off
Using PredictWind weather routing software, we analyzed various travel routes and departure scenarios, pinpointing Sunday, November 17th, as our initial target date; with the owner arriving from Sydney ahead of time, we departed Wednesday morning from Tauranga for Opua Marina on the North Island.
This first leg, covering 192 nautical miles, was completed smoothly in just nine hours with a crew of three; just out of Tauranga across the shoals towards Karewa island was a bit lumpy, but once up past Waihi beach, it settled down to a nice rolling swell off our starboard beam up the coast, rain squalls and fish workups made for interesting times along the way.
The following day, with a fuel tanker booked in advance, we fuelled up, bringing our fuel capacity to 10,000 ltrs; no need for fuel bladders in the cockpit on this boat.
Friday was the day to make the final call on our departure schedule. After reviewing the latest forecast, it became clear that the last 12 hours of the journey into Sydney would be too challenging, with predictions of 35-knot winds and 3-meter swells. Prioritizing safety, especially on trips with no strict delivery deadlines, we postponed by a week. Using the PredictWind app, we evaluated four route scenarios, ultimately confirming the decision to delay.
As it would happen, the weather had closed in on the Bay of Islands, so much so that our flight out of Kerikeri was cancelled, so it was the bus back to Auckland.
We reunited the following Thursday, ready to make the crossing under a more favourable forecast but still understanding that there was the chance we would get delayed again this time. Once again, running through different route scenarios, the decision was made to leave at lunchtime on Sunday, knowing that the last part of the journey would get a bit spicy but nowhere near as sour as the week prior. After clearing customs in Opua on Sunday morning, which is much more relaxed than going through an airport, we set off at lunchtime, fully provisioned and organized for a passage that would hopefully span just over three days.
Life Onboard
The crew operated on a watch system: two hours on and six hours off, ensuring everyone had ample rest. Dinner was a communal highlight, with meals prepared each evening; Mark, the owner, undertook this task and quite rightfully prided himself on his cooking skills. Quick bites such as pies, toasted sandwiches, and pizzas were a source of satisfaction for us during the day. Snacks ranged from fresh fruit and carrots to the usual lollies justified as instant energy hits.
Along the New Zealand Coast
The journey up New Zealand’s coastline was the usual advert for NZ sea life and scenery; flying fish, dolphins, bird workups, and whales are always a common sight; coming across a sailing drone was unique, having never seen one in the wild before. Rounding Cape Reinga brought the usual confused sea and turbulent conditions where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. Swells built, and a strong tide roughed the passage for 4–5 hours, with Wilma handling the conditions admirably.
Into the Tasman Sea
As we cleared New Zealand and its tides into the Tasman Sea, the first night was calm but moonless, leaving us in pitch darkness. We passed a lone ship six miles to port about 10 miles away. The next day brought dream sea conditions with a 2-meter swell spaced roughly 12 seconds apart off the starboard beam. Settling into a steady speed of 18 knots, we paused at lunchtime to check the engines and fuel levels via sight tubes at the rear of the fuel tanks; we were still nervous about trusting electronic fuel flow readings on such an important trip, our manual visual check, however, confirmed that the flow readings were very accurate.
As night came, we still maintained a cruising speed of 18 knots overnight, but as per the weather forecast, conditions gradually shifted as the breeze picked up. The swells remained the same, but a wind chop was starting to develop on top of them.
By late afternoon on the second day, it was obvious that Predict Wind would be spot on.
We would encounter 3-meter waves at six-second intervals throughout the night, that was for sure. As we neared Australia that night, the sea became a true test.
Riding the Waves
With winds of 25 knots and waves over 3.5 meters, we had a reasonable amount on. Occasionally, a rogue wave would rise dramatically, crashing over the starboard bow in the darkness. We prudently reduced speed to 12 knots around 2 a.m. but were still surfing down waves, routinely at 18 - 22 knots, exhilarating and nerve-wracking simultaneously; Wilma, on autopilot, tracked great, now and then, she would bear off a few degrees, wholly understandable given the conditions and then instantly get back on track, by the morning having let the autopilot let it do its thing we were only two miles to leeward of the course set having not done anything to correct it due to the vast space we had.
Dawn revealed the scale of the conditions we had navigated: 3 - 4 metre waves and strong winds just forward of our Starboard beam; with daylight, we could adjust throttles to accelerate or decelerate, letting some bigger swells pass in front or slip behind us.
As we got within 50 nautical miles of Australia, the seas calmed, enabling us to return to our cruising speed of 18 knots. Interestingly, the sea temperature rose from 17 degrees when leaving NZ to 24 degrees as we approached Australia; this is not unusual, yet it remains a remarkable difference.
Arrival in Sydney
After three days and three hours, and just under 7500 litres of fuel, we reached Sydney’s Customs Dock. The Australian Border Force officers were professional and welcoming, marking a smooth end to an unforgettable journey. As Australian Customs only operates during regular business hours, I suggest always timing your arrival. We were in constant email contact as we came over, so we weren't waiting around after a long journey.
This delivery trip was more than a test of Wilma's capabilities; it was an experience that showcased the synergy of a skilled crew, advanced weather forecasting tools, and a vessel built for performance and comfort. From the rough waters around Cape Reinga to the rolling waves of the Tasman, Wilma, the first DEMEY 60, proved herself a reliable and comfortable ride, ready for many adventures.
Comments