Maritimo M64 shows how to cruise 1100 miles to NZ

After 138 hours at sea and 7488 litres of diesel, a Maritimo M64 has crossed from Hope Island on Queensland's Gold Coast to Opua in New Zealand. Not that it's a first for these long-range Aussie-built cruising motoryachts, mind you.

But skipper Russell Fleming did say this recent crossing from Hope Island on Queensland's Gold Coast to Opua in New Zealand was an especially good test of the M64's capabilities.

Fleming and his crew set off from the Gold Coast with 8000 litres of fuel on board and they averaged 8.9 knots for the 1100 nautical mile trip.

Having completed more than 35 such journeys across The Ditch, the seasoned skipper is no stranger to the conditions and the possible perils that await boaties making the Trans Tasman trip.

WEATHER CHANGE
"When we left the Gold Coast we cruised into four days of absolutely flat conditions with only five knots of northerly wind and about a one-metre sea swell," Fleming said.

"However, as we approached the Three King Islands off Cape Regina, a significant storm blew in with winds reaching 55 to 60 knots and this produced short violent seas.

"The area is renowned for its shipwrecks, one being the Elingamite, which was a steamer of about 2500 tons, so it is a place to be avoided if possible."

USING THE CURRENT
Fleming said he charted that course because they had been headed by current for most of the journey and he wanted to seek out a west/east current to pick up the average speed.

"I was mindful of our fuel reserves and when we were able to pick up that current our boat speed went up to 13.5 knots while we maintained the same 1000 rpm," he said.

"The M64 is a beautiful passage maker and the vessel handled all the sea conditions thrown up in an exemplary manner.

"Not once did she look like broaching, even with water on the forward deck."
   
OCEAN ADVENTURE
Having been a delivery skipper for Maritimo for more than 10 years, Fleming has had his share of adventures while at sea.

He said the recent journey saw the Maritimo team cruising past an enormous pod of whales about 200 nautical miles off the Australian coastline.

"We saw lots of flying fish each day although we didn't sight another vessel until we arrived at The Three Kings.

"There were no mobile phones, no Facebook and no internet for days and I have to say life was looking pretty good.

"Then beep beep, connectivity and all hell broke loose with every man to his device and so ended all meaningful discussions."

LONG RANGE
Russell said they arrived in New Zealand with about 500 litres of fuel in reserve. The new M64 cruising motoryacht is one of the latest in the Maritimo range and exemplifies the sea worthiness and fuel efficiency that are part of the Maritimo vessels' DNA.

Maritimo's cruisers ARE designed for long haul passage making and the recent trip by Fleming and his crew demonstrated what they are capable of, the Gold Coast boatbuilder adds. More at www.maritimo.com.au.