Open Sea On The Granocean W60

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Open Ocean Serenity and Shakedown Relief

(Apologies again for any blog formatting quirks – still getting the hang of this platform!)

Yesterday offered a welcome respite with beautiful conditions: calm following seas and light winds. It provided a perfect opportunity to appreciate the rhythm of being truly offshore.


Stepping outside instantly envelops you in the thick, warm, humid air of the tropics – making the cool interior of Pikorua, courtesy of her effective air conditioning system, feel even more luxurious. This level of climate control really enhances comfort and endurance on long tropical passages.

Relief and Reflections 

There was also collective relief onboard knowing the vibration issue was caused by external factors (the fishing net) rather than any inherent mechanical problem with the new yacht's running gear.

Discovering and resolving issues like this, whether environmental or minor system glitches, is the very definition of a "shakedown" cruise. It’s Yacht Delivery Solutions’ job to put the vessel through its paces in real-world conditions, identify these points, and address them methodically, ensuring she is fully sorted for her owner. Pikorua’s fundamental systems (engines, hull, steering) are proving robust.

The Feeling of Isolation 

Yesterday, the sheer immensity of the South China Sea truly began to reveal itself. Having navigated the non-stop vessel traffic near Hong Kong and the dense, seemingly endless fishing fleets that extended for hundreds of miles offshore, the ocean suddenly felt profoundly empty. For an entire day, we sighted only one distant fishing boat on the horizon, and our AIS (Automatic Identification System) screen remained remarkably blank for miles in every direction. This dramatic shift brought a profound feeling – a potent mix of isolation, self-reliance, and a deep sense of peace that only open ocean passages can offer.

Our vessel for this leg of the journey, the magnificent Granocean W60, is proving to be an exceptional platform for this catamaran delivery. Its robust design and inherent stability have already made for a remarkably comfortable passage. As a catamaran, the W60 inherently minimizes roll and pitch, even when encountering the subtle, deep ocean swells. This translates directly to less crew fatigue and a smoother, more efficient transit, something we value greatly on long-distance yacht delivery voyages. Life aboard has quickly settled into a comfortable rhythm, with the spacious saloon and well-appointed cabins providing ample room for effective watch changes and much-needed rest, crucial for maintaining crew performance.

The weather yesterday provided us with light, consistent breezes and a relatively flat sea, allowing us to make excellent progress towards our next waypoint. Our pre-departure weather routing had accurately predicted these benign conditions, confirming our chosen course and strategy. While the conditions were favorable, our yacht delivery skipper team maintained continuous vigilance, constantly evaluating real-time meteorological data. Operating in the diverse waters of Southeast Asia, from the busy coastal zones to these vast open ocean stretches, demands a meticulous approach to forecasting and a readiness to adapt our strategy.

This deep-ocean environment, while beautiful, requires a different kind of awareness compared to coastal navigation. While the immediate hazard of numerous close-quarter vessel encounters decreases significantly, the very vastness means that any potential issue could be hours or days away from assistance. Our primary safety focus shifts to unwavering vigilance for less common, often un-AIS-equipped contacts like the distant fishing boat we observed, as well as monitoring for any signs of marine debris or sudden, unforecasted weather developments. It underscores precisely why the thorough commissioning and meticulous passage planning Yacht Delivery Solutions undertakes before every departure is so critical. Out here, you are truly dependent on the unwavering capability of your vessel, the experience of your crew, and the robustness of your preparation.


Signed, The Yacht Delivery Solutions Team


Yacht Delivery Solutions provides professional sail and power boat delivery services throughout Asia and the South Pacific. Learn more: https://yachtdeliverysolutions.co.nz/

 

Location: South China Sea

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