23 January 2022
As we reach the halfway point on the crossing to Darwin, Australia. Spirits are almost as high as the adrenaline rush. When we break Sylfia’s speed record flying through a crack which locals call “The hole in the Wall”. When is the right time to cross? If we time it right, we will shoot through like a bullet!! If we mess it up that current will be right on our nose and we get blown backwards!!
NEW Sailing SPEED RECORD through a crack, 14 knots. As we reach the halfway point on the crossing to Darwin, Australia. Spirits are almost as high as the adrenaline rush. When we break Sylfia’s speed record flying through a crack which locals call “The Hole in the Wall”.
“The Hole in the Wall” is a waterway that separates Guluwuru Island and Raragala Island in the Wessel Islands, on the way to Darwin. The Wessel islands are a narrow chain of islands. In the northernmost part of the islands, there is a point that juts out separating the Gulf of Carpentaria to its east and the Arafura Sea to its west. These Islands are Warramiri tribe lands, traditional Aboriginal lands. There are many large Crocodiles living on its beaches some reaching 15-20 ft.
We follow in @Sailing SV Delos footsteps seeking out this unusual Crack in the Ocean, where up to 12 knots of current rip through… The crack itself is quite narrow, which leads to very strong currents when the tide is going up or down. It’s about 100 meters at its narrowest point or four boat lengths. If the time is wrong and you won’t even move forward, the time is right and you get SUPER BOOSTED! We will shoot through like a bullet!! If we mess it up that current will be right on our nose and we get blown backward!! In which case, we will have to sit and wait until the current changes and try AGAIN!!
After researching tide times, we felt pretty confident we could do it. The dingy was sent ahead to check to see if we got the tides right. Approaching” the Hole in the Wall” looks like a river for white water rafting. Confirmation from the dingy and we were good to go!! The current moving fast in the right direction. The dingy radioed back and held its position, waiting for the rest of the crew aboard Sylfia. Hearts pounding, 10 knots of current drifting, it felt like we are white water rafting!! The new speed record for Sylfia is 14 knots, What a Rush!!! The rip sucked in and just as fast spat us out, into the Arafura Sea.
But as you would expect, things don’t often go smoothly!! The drone lost signal as we were coming out.
The dingy was forced to turn around and fight against 10 knots of current. Trying to hold her position going only 1 knot and using so much power. Thankfully we got a signal on the drone again and were able to land it. One of the coolest things we have done on Sylfia!! Speed!! Adrenaline!!Excitement! We succeeded!! 10 knots of current shooting us through!
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