Cook Strait
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====Overview==== | ====Overview==== | ||
| - | + | Cook Strait is a natural wind funnel bordered by high geographic features on the North and South Islands, and at times creates a formidable gauntlet for boats sailing to and from the South Island. The following information is provided to help you cross the Strait safely. | |
{{TOCleft}} | {{TOCleft}} | ||
==Climate & Weather Information== | ==Climate & Weather Information== | ||
| - | + | Wind direction in Cook Strait is normally NW or S to SE. Storm force winds occur on average about 25 times a year. Gale force NW winds are usually very localised, but S gales affect the whole Strait. SE gales are more pronounced on the western side of the Strait. Many people agree that the tail end of a southerly gale is one of the best times to cross Cook Strait. This period of light weather often lasts for 24 hours. | |
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| + | Sea breeze conditions, with day and night winds alternating in direction, do not happen as a matter of course in settled weather. | ||
Sources of weather forecast information for this passage. | Sources of weather forecast information for this passage. | ||
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==Weather Windows== | ==Weather Windows== | ||
Best time/s of year for this passage and expected weather conditions | Best time/s of year for this passage and expected weather conditions | ||
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| + | ==TIDAL STREAMS== | ||
| + | Tidal streams in Cook Strait generally flow towards the NW for 5 hours and SE for 7 hours. However, they are unreliable and the surface currents are affected by prolonged periods of strong winds and the shoreline configuration which can cause counter currents if close inshore. | ||
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| + | High water occurs on the western side of Cook Strait about 4 hours later than Wellington at spring tides and slightly less at neap tides. This difference causes the strong streams. The streams are stronger during spring tides, which occur at two weekly intervals, when high water Wellington is about 0600 and 1800. | ||
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| + | Tidal stream predications for Tory Channel have generally been found to be very accurate. | ||
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| + | ==SEA== | ||
| + | Broken water is experienced in different parts of the Strait. This is caused by the cold north-setting bottom current being forced to the surface on meeting the steep slopes of submarine canyons, which will also cause modification of the tidal stream. Broken water is also caused when the wind flow is against the tidal stream, especially between Sinclair Head and Cape Terawhiti, off the eastern entrance of Tory Channel, and in the vicinity of the Brothers Islands. | ||
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| + | ==FOG== | ||
| + | Fog is rarely found in the Cook Strait area as the wind funnel effect sweeps it away. Late Summer is usually the only time of year fog is experienced. Low cloud and rain though can severely restrict visibility. | ||
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| + | ==HAZARDS== | ||
| + | Karori Rock stands in the centre of a considerable area of underwater hazards. The rock is approximately half a mile offshore and surmounted by a lighthouse. This light is sectored to show red to the south east, covering various hazards including Thoms Rock, approximately 1 mile offshore. Thoms Rock has about 1.5 meters of water over it. About 1one mile northwest of Karori Rock is Luna Rock which has 1.8 meters of water over it. Luna Rock is not covered by the red sector of Karori Light. | ||
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| + | The only offshore hazard in the middle of Cook Strait is Fisherman’s Rock. Lying almost midway between Cape Koamaru and Mana Island it has a clearance of 10 metres. However the area surrounding the rock can be hazardous in strong tide or wind conditions. Large overfalls and seas can develop in these conditions. | ||
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==Radio Nets== | ==Radio Nets== | ||
Revision as of 20:12, 12 August 2013
Cook Strait
| Cook Strait New Zealand | |
 | |
| MORE notes about the passage |
Overview
Cook Strait is a natural wind funnel bordered by high geographic features on the North and South Islands, and at times creates a formidable gauntlet for boats sailing to and from the South Island. The following information is provided to help you cross the Strait safely.
Climate & Weather Information
Wind direction in Cook Strait is normally NW or S to SE. Storm force winds occur on average about 25 times a year. Gale force NW winds are usually very localised, but S gales affect the whole Strait. SE gales are more pronounced on the western side of the Strait. Many people agree that the tail end of a southerly gale is one of the best times to cross Cook Strait. This period of light weather often lasts for 24 hours.
Sea breeze conditions, with day and night winds alternating in direction, do not happen as a matter of course in settled weather.
Sources of weather forecast information for this passage.
Weather Windows
Best time/s of year for this passage and expected weather conditions
TIDAL STREAMS
Tidal streams in Cook Strait generally flow towards the NW for 5 hours and SE for 7 hours. However, they are unreliable and the surface currents are affected by prolonged periods of strong winds and the shoreline configuration which can cause counter currents if close inshore.
High water occurs on the western side of Cook Strait about 4 hours later than Wellington at spring tides and slightly less at neap tides. This difference causes the strong streams. The streams are stronger during spring tides, which occur at two weekly intervals, when high water Wellington is about 0600 and 1800.
Tidal stream predications for Tory Channel have generally been found to be very accurate.
SEA
Broken water is experienced in different parts of the Strait. This is caused by the cold north-setting bottom current being forced to the surface on meeting the steep slopes of submarine canyons, which will also cause modification of the tidal stream. Broken water is also caused when the wind flow is against the tidal stream, especially between Sinclair Head and Cape Terawhiti, off the eastern entrance of Tory Channel, and in the vicinity of the Brothers Islands.
FOG
Fog is rarely found in the Cook Strait area as the wind funnel effect sweeps it away. Late Summer is usually the only time of year fog is experienced. Low cloud and rain though can severely restrict visibility.
HAZARDS
Karori Rock stands in the centre of a considerable area of underwater hazards. The rock is approximately half a mile offshore and surmounted by a lighthouse. This light is sectored to show red to the south east, covering various hazards including Thoms Rock, approximately 1 mile offshore. Thoms Rock has about 1.5 meters of water over it. About 1one mile northwest of Karori Rock is Luna Rock which has 1.8 meters of water over it. Luna Rock is not covered by the red sector of Karori Light.
The only offshore hazard in the middle of Cook Strait is Fisherman’s Rock. Lying almost midway between Cape Koamaru and Mana Island it has a clearance of 10 metres. However the area surrounding the rock can be hazardous in strong tide or wind conditions. Large overfalls and seas can develop in these conditions.
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
List radio Nets covering this passage.
- NZ46 Cook Strait (1:200000)
Passage Description
FULL description of this passage.
Distance & Duration
- Distance =
- Duration =
Possible Departure Points
Route/Suggested Stopovers
(In sequence)
Possible Arrival Ports
Forum discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References
Books, guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experience?
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Names: Haiqu |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | New Zealand | Cook Strait | |
