Sailing Vessel Delos: The Final Passage from Fiji to Australia (Part 1)

The Final Passage Begins

• ⛵️ The crew of Sailing Vessel Delos embarks on a 1500-mile passage from Fiji to Australia, marking the final journey on their current boat.
• 🌍 This voyage is particularly significant as it will complete Kazza's circumnavigation of planet Earth after 15 years.
• 💙 The episode captures a mix of emotions including excitement, gratitude, nostalgia, and sadness as a significant chapter closes.

Departure and Crew Assembly

• ⚓️ The journey starts from a favorite anchorage in Fiji, with a brief motor to the main town to pick up the final crew member, Bill.
• 🤝 Bill, a familiar face from previous preparations, joins Matilde to help split watches on this long passage.
• 👧 Young captain Sierra assists with navigation, learning to identify channel markers.

Weather Planning and Strategy

• 🗺️ Detailed weather models (GFS, PWG, PWE, ECMWF) are analyzed to predict the 10-12 day route, considering inputs from various sources.
• ⚖️ The crew must make decisions based on conflicting model predictions, weighing options like sailing north or south of New Caledonia.
• 🇦🇺 The final stretch towards Australia presents potential challenges with a forecasted strong headwind, requiring flexibility in the plan.

Setting Sail and Initial Conditions

• 💨 The departure is marked by setting the sails, a moment that makes the long passage feel real and exhilarating.
• 🌊 The initial sailing conditions are sportier than expected, with winds between 20-25 knots, leading to a fast and dynamic start.
• 🤒 Sierra is unfortunately feeling sick with a cold, impacting her enjoyment of the early part of the voyage.

Early Voyage and Observations

• 💨 Delos performs exceptionally well in the beam reach conditions, achieving high speeds and covering significant distance on the first day.
• 📉 The wind gradually decreases, leading to more comfortable sailing conditions and a stabilization of the boat's motion.
• ☀️ The second day brings "champagne sailing" with perfect temperatures and steady winds, allowing for rest and enjoyment.