Challenging Seas and a Strategic Stop on the Granocean W60

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Expert Seamanship and a Strategic Stop on the Granocean W60!

By Gary, Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions


Yesterday and into this morning, we faced some truly challenging conditions on the final approach to our temporary stop. While the goal is always a smooth passage, the reality of yacht delivery often includes navigating dynamic and sometimes unforgiving seas. Catamarans, like our Granocean W60, are renowned for their stability and comfort, but when heading directly into short, sharp waves – a phenomenon known as "hobby horsing," which I've described in previous posts – the motion can be particularly pronounced. The conditions we encountered, with those relentless short, sharp waves reaching up to 2 meters directly on the nose and very little gap between them, were exactly what we prefer to avoid. At times, we deliberately reduced our speed to under 4 knots to mitigate the impact of the slamming.

The final hour before we reached the marina this morning was a testament to focused seamanship. I operated the throttles manually, constantly adjusting our speed – accelerating when an opportunity presented itself, then slowing down as the nastier waves approached.

The wake of a granoceanW60 in calm water on a yacht delivery with the skipper the water is flat and the sky is blue
Calmer Days on The Granocean


This rhythmic dance of "speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down" continued until we were safely within the marina's protective embrace. While tiring, this manual intervention was crucial, allowing us to maintain a significantly better average speed and get out of the challenging weather more quickly. Though we've certainly encountered more wind and larger seas on this trip, these particular conditions, with their short, steep nature directly on the bow, were arguably the most uncomfortable we've experienced on the entire delivery. The Granocean W60 once again proved its mettle, demonstrating its robust build and ability to power through even these demanding circumstances.

Later in the afternoon, after we were securely tied up, the weather outside became truly remarkable. Torrential rain combined with howling winds that seemed to almost bend the trees, creating near-zero visibility during the heaviest downpours – it was like driving through thick fog. The sheer force of the wind was astounding! All I can say is that I am immensely pleased with our decision to divert and seek safe harbor. Prioritizing the safety of the vessel and crew is paramount for any yacht delivery skipper, and knowing when to wait out adverse conditions ashore is a key part of our expertise.

The question now, of course, is when we will get a favorable weather window to resume our journey to Sydney. Unfortunately, the current forecast isn't offering the immediate answer we'd hoped for. We'll be closely monitoring the patterns and will set sail as soon as conditions allow.

Watch this space for updates.



Yacht Delivery Solutions provides expert yacht delivery skipper services, making strategic decisions to prioritize safety and vessel integrity when navigating challenging weather.


Our experience with Granocean models and other catamaran delivery projects across Southeast Asia to New Zealand and Australia ensures your vessel arrives securely. Contact us to learn more about our professional approach to yacht transport.


Location: Brisbane QLD, Australia

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