TRANS PACIFIC RALLY

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The opportunity now exists to join a flotilla of yachts sailing the trade winds across the indigo blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
It's a common dream. For centuries we've been enchanted by tales of adventure, tall ships, and exotic lands. The idea of sailing the Pacific Ocean has an allure which will forever pull at the hearts and minds of men.
This ocean remains an exotic destination, riddled with tropical islands and unexplored coral atolls. The same warm trade winds utilised by traders, still blow reliably and consistently. The diving is exquisite, the cultures are unique, the waters are azure, and the fresh foods and fruits to re-provision with are tantalising.
Given the current exchange rates there are quite a number of people considering purchasing yachts in the U.S. and then sailing them home across the Pacific.
Yarra's Edge Yachts (YEY), a boutique international brokerage in Melbourne's Docklands, imports vessels, shipping most of them back. Graham Stephens from YEY says ‘Most people would rather sail them back, but they rarely do, because they're not confident to embark on the journey by themselves.’
In response YEY is organising a ‏Trans Pacific Rally' for yacht buyers to make the sea crossing with the guidance and support of an experienced team of yachtsmen.
On the other side of the planet, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, provides camaraderie for Atlantic crossings, and has become so popular that bookings are capped at 220. Places are already filling for 2010.
Unlike the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers that caters for Atlantic crossings and circumnavigations, YEY's Trans Pacific Rally is catering to the current demand for yacht purchasers to cruise across the Pacific Ocean in their U.S. purchased vessels.
But the growing interest in crossing the Pacific is not simply a result of the softness in the U.S. dollar or the growing number of baby boomers entering retirement. Paul Collins, a business owner intends to join the cruise, sharing the various legs with his employees. ‘It's an adventure I can offer my employees funded from the profit I can make on the sale of the vessel back here in Australia.’
The cruise also allows the YEY team to indulge their passion for sailing and adventure in this fascinating ocean. Graham Stephens has cruised the Pacific extensively and organised many dive and eco-tours in this magnificent playground, so he knows the treasures the Pacific Ocean holds, its beautiful and unique locations.
To add to the exploratory nature of the cruise he has a Marine Scientist, Jake, on board for this latest venture. Jake's profile, other than ‘avid diver and keen sailor’ includes exotic topics such as ‘tropical biology, marine ecology, plate tectonics, volcanic hotspots, and physical oceanography’.
The confidence, support and camaraderie of experienced sailors, may not be the only benefit to be had from joining in this particular cruise!
The Trans Pacific Rally will begin on February 7 in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, one of the world's most famous whale watching locations. The flotilla will take roughly three weeks to sail to the Marquesas; this is the longest leg of the journey. The path then takes them to the Tuamotos, a magnificent group of atolls with crystal clear diving, on to Tahiti where the fleet will stop at the popular island resort of Bora Bora. The Cook Islands is the next destination where the fleet will stop at Raratonga, a tropical paradise. The Tonga stretch is through a volcanically active area, including ‘Latte’ the latest volcanic island to erupt out of the sea. Vanuatu and New Caledonia are also on the agenda before arriving at Able Point Marina in Queensland, 8th November.
Bruce Crump, YEY's logistics expert, said there will be allowances for people do their own exploring within each group of islands. ‘Some people may wish to fly home at various stages or change crew, which has all been considered in the route planning.’
The YEY crew are searching the global market constantly and are able to assist in locating appropriate vessels. For example Graham is currently searching for a 60' foot near new catamaran for a rally contender who prefers dual hulls. Another inquirer would like to sail in a new Tartan to save on shipping and delivery.
However there is a list on the YEY website of blue water cruisers available in the US that would be suitable for the journey and are excellent value. The range currently includes modern light displacement vessels through to traditional heavy displacement vessels and sizes from 36' to 60'. Prices vary from US $47,500 to US $350,000.

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