Picking Up Speed and Riding the Current Aboard the Granocean W60

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By Gary Watson, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions

Conditions last night were exceptional, allowing for smooth progress aboard the Granocean W60. We experienced very little swell from the port beam, hardly noticeable in fact, and in the early hours of this morning, we finally saw the last of those persistent fishing boats that have kept us on high alert. Until next time!

If you've been following our journey on the Garmin tracking page, you might have noticed our speed had dipped slightly to around 6 knots. This was due to a slight counter-current, but that's now changing dramatically as we enter what we affectionately call the "super highway." As the blue dot on the accompanying Garmin photo shows, we're now entering the significant west-to-east current I mentioned yesterday.


We're not even fully in its grasp yet, and we're already cruising along at an impressive average speed of 10.5 knots, a considerable boost from our usual 8.5-knot average. Furthermore, both wind speed and sea conditions have picked up, with waves now coming from our starboard aft quarter. This is actively helping us truck along, and once we make a slight turn to port by 15 degrees, the wind will be squarely behind us, pushing us even more efficiently. Leveraging these natural forces is a key part of strategic yacht delivery and helps us optimize fuel consumption and transit time.

Aboard the Granocean W60

Our watches continue with regularity, though this particular catamaran delivery has presented its own unique crew dynamic. Our third crew member, who was slated to fly up to Hong Kong for the delivery, unfortunately ran out of time due to other commitments stemming from our earlier delays. So, since Kel and I arrived in Hong Kong, it has been just the two of us getting the Granocean W60 ready for passage and executing this delivery. Hats off to Kel for tirelessly tackling everything that needed to be done; his dedication has been invaluable. Being just two on a delivery like this means it's slightly harder on both of us. Our watch schedule is rigorous: 06:00-12:00, 12:00-18:00, 18:00-22:00, 22:00-02:00, and 02:00-06:00, meaning we catch whatever sleep we can during our "off watch" periods. This demanding schedule is a testament to the commitment of a professional yacht delivery skipper team.

This morning brought a delightful interlude. Kel shared that during his 06:00-12:00 watch, he had a visit from a local pod of dolphins, who came alongside to play in the bow wake. Even after so many years at sea and countless dolphin encounters, they still bring a genuine smile to our faces when they come to say hello and put on a show.

The Granocean W60 continues to perform flawlessly. The difference that its air conditioning makes on a tropical trip like this is truly amazing.

The view aft on a Granocean W60 showing the clean wake on a yacht delivery

Most boats require the generator to run the A/C, a luxury often sacrificed during long yacht delivery passages because every liter of fuel is conserved for the main engines. However, the efficient systems on board the Granocean allow for comfortable living, significantly enhancing crew well-being and performance.

If we hadn't experienced the delays in both Hong Kong and Kota Kinabalu, we would currently be on track to cross paths with Nico, the owner of Yacht Delivery Solutions, somewhere in the Torres Strait. He's currently delivering a 65ft performance carbon sailing catamaran from Fiji to Sorong in Indonesia and, according to reports, is getting hammered by 30+ knots of wind on the nose in the Arafura Sea – certainly not a pleasant ride! Meanwhile, our current estimated time of arrival into Darwin is December 22nd or 23rd. Fingers crossed for a smooth final run!

Planning a yacht delivery across Southeast Asia or to New Zealand?

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Whether it's a Granocean or another catamaran delivery, Yacht Delivery Solutions provides experienced yacht delivery skippers who handle everything from challenging weather and complex navigation to meticulous vessel care. Let us ensure a safe and efficient journey for your valuable asset.

Location: 6Q55HWGG+J4

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