Yacht Delivery Solutions Not Yacht Delivery Problems!

Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of the yacht delivery! We have sailed from New Zealand to Phuket, almost. We can see Phuket from here, nearly.

Sailing from New Zealand to Phuket is a challenging adventure that took us across a quarter of the globe, experiencing different cultures, climates, and wildlife along the way.

The distance between New Zealand and Phuket is about 6,500 nautical miles, which is equivalent to about 7,500 miles or 12,000 kilometers. The average sailing speed for a cruising yacht is about 6 knots, which means it would take over 50 days to complete the voyage non-stop. However, this depends on many factors such as wind, current, weather, and boat condition.

We crossed the Tasman Sea, the Coral Sea, the South Pacific Ocean, the Arafura Sea, the Timor Sea, and passed by the Indian Ocean. We passed by Indonesia and Australia, and the Solomon Islands. We faced some potential challenges such as piracy, fishing nets, shallow waters, busy shipping lanes, and boat repairs in remote places. We crossed the Malacca Strait and encountered some strong currents and squalls along the way.

Sailing from New Zealand to Phuket is a trip that requires a lot of preparation and patience.

On a side note - In the last 14 months, we have sailed three times to and from Asia/NZ, spending a month at home and clocking off approximately 20,000 nautical miles. To put that in perspective, I estimate that an average cruising yacht in NZ does less than 1,000 nautical miles a year and someone doing the passage west from Panama to the islands may do around 5,000 to 6,000 nautical miles in a year if they go all the way through.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog of the latest trip.

If we were just a little bit closer you could clearly Phuket - it's the grey smudge where the sky meets to sea.

Arrival in Sydney: Delivery Complete!

This morning, the Excess 14 slid gracefully into her new berth at Middle Harbour Marina, marking the successful completion of her delivery from the Gold Coast. The final approach into Sydney Harbour is always a great sight, a fitting end to a coastal voyage. This passage was a comprehensive real-world test of the boat's capabilities. She proved to be a joy in light airs, demonstrated strength and stability in heavy weather, and showed impressive maneuverability during a tricky docking. It’s clear that the Excess 14 is a versatile and robust catamaran, perfectly suited for everything the Australian coast can throw at it. The final tasks onboard are ones of quiet satisfaction: coiling the lines perfectly, writing up the final log entry, and giving the boat a last clean and polish. For Yacht Delivery Solutions, it's a pleasure and a privilege to deliver a vessel of this quality. Handing her over to the brokers at Flagstaff Marine clean, secure, and ready for her new owners is t...

Done and Dusted in Brisbane!

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Off We Go

The dream of a seamless yacht delivery aboard the Fontaine Pajot 47 seemed like a solid plan. However, life, with its unpredictable currents, threw us a curveball. My trusted crewmate was struck by the ever-present Covid! Even though he's as tough as old sea boots, it definitely slowed him down. The pre-departure days were a delicate balancing act. While the initial concerns about a sick crewmate were undeniable, a strong sense of purpose took hold. Provisioning, finalizing paperwork, and familiarizing myself with Namarie became a mission with Craig putting in 110% effort despite his 20% health. Constant communication with my recuperating crewmate ensured a smooth handover of duties, keeping the team spirit alive despite maintaining physical separation and wearing masks. Stepping aboard Namarie, the initial awe at her sleek lines and luxurious interior was palpable. However, the euphoria was tempered by a healthy dose of respect for the vessel's complexity. The sophisticated na...

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