Resuming the Granocean W60 Delivery With the owners
By Delivery Skipper at Yacht Delivery Solutions
I returned to the Granocean W60 late last Friday night, eager to get underway with the final leg of this catamaran delivery to Sydney. The following day, Saturday late morning, brought a welcome addition to the crew: Christine and Gavin, the owners themselves. Having them onboard for this last stretch is truly perfect, allowing them invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to familiarize themselves with all the systems of their new vessel.
After a pleasant lunch on Saturday, we made a quick run to the supermarket to stock up. The evening concluded with a very enjoyable dinner at a local steakhouse, marking a relaxing pre-departure interlude.
While I was away, I had arranged for the Cummins service team in Mackay to give the engines and generator some much-needed attention. It was time for them to have a comprehensive service, ensuring the Granocean W60 is in peak mechanical condition for the remainder of the journey. There was a minor issue with a belt on the starboard engine that they couldn't sort out during the week, but to their credit, they came down on Sunday specifically to address it. Their willingness to get this done at such short notice, especially at this busy time of year, was truly amazing.
As soon as the Cummins team departed, we fired up the engines and prepared for departure from Mackay. We cast off our lines at 11:30, making our way out of the marina and back into the open sea. The day began on a very positive note, with calm conditions hinting at a smooth passage.
However, as the evening progressed, the tranquility gave way to a rather dramatic turn. The sky all around us began to light up with a distant lightning storm. While the forecast had promised nothing more than a few gusts to 20 knots and a sub-1 meter sea state – conditions we're well accustomed to – what we actually encountered was a far cry from that.
We found ourselves in a bit of a blow. The seas, which had initially been aft of the beam, shifted dramatically to just off our starboard bow, transforming from manageable waves into our old favorite: a short, sharp chop with significant, breaking white water crashing over the bow. Our speed, previously a comfortable 10 knots, plummeted. I was back to hand-throttling, making constant adjustments to the engines, slowing us down to between 2 and 3 knots in an attempt to prevent the Granocean W60's nose from diving into the relentless waves. This wasn't always successful, and we took a few decent-sized "green waves" right over the bow.
On a couple of occasions, the forward cockpit flooded considerably. The line I've drawn on the photo vividly illustrates the sheer volume of water that came onboard! The good news is that it quickly disappeared down the drain holes – they certainly work! – and the watertight door to the interior held up perfectly. All of this unfolded just after dark and persisted for a few intense hours before slowly calming down around midnight.
This was undoubtedly the worst weather we've encountered on the entire yacht delivery journey, and the Granocean W60 handled it with exceptional capability, proving its robust offshore design. It was certainly a "baptism of fire" for Christine and Gavin, marking their very first night passage. Their resilience was impressive!
Yacht Delivery Solutions provides expert yacht delivery skipper services, meticulously preparing vessels like the Granocean W60 for the unexpected and navigating challenging conditions with precision.
From Southeast Asia to New Zealand and the Australian coast, we ensure the safe and professional transit of your catamaran delivery, even when the weather turns. Planning your vessel's journey? Let our experienced team provide peace of mind.
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