Crossing the Cook Strait on a small boat
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=96189
Printed Date: 03 Feb 2026 at 2:42pm
Topic: Crossing the Cook Strait on a small boat
Posted By: Quintana
Subject: Crossing the Cook Strait on a small boat
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 1:30pm
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Hello all. I'm keen to know more about crossing the Cook from the North Island in a small boat. Mine's a Buccaneer 635 with a 200 on it; ya reckon this is seaworthy enough for the trip? Who's done the trip? Where's the best place to launch (and leave your truck n trailer for a few days)? What to look out for (besides the screaming wind and tide flows?) What's the best time of year for such a mission? Would love to hear your experiences/comments/observations. Thanks a ton. Cheers The Jesus.
------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Replies:
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 1:56pm
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I did it a few times in my 13ft stabi 389! Shortest route from Mana (pretty sure it's okay to overnight your car/trailer between the bridges?), but I went through Queen Charlotte Sound out of the harbour, pick your day and it's a piece of cake, but it can chop up bad and quick, so always be prepared to sit it out and wait for a weather window (overnight at Furneaux etc.)... which can take a while sometimes. If going via the South Coast, the Karori Rip is rather nasty and extends quite far out. In good conditions you can do it in an hour or so from Mana or a couple from the SC. Coast to Coast - the sounds adds another hour or so. Note: shadowing the ferry will put you into some clean water if choppy, but keep a safe distance. Settled weather is March / April IMO. Take loads of fuel just in case... Your boat is more than capable. With a small boat, would not attempt it if Cook forecast is over 10 knots and .5m swell. Variable is best. Remember you're not crossing N to S, so expect wind / chop from the side / quarter do to prevailing N or S, seldom in between, although a light NE is sometimes good. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz |
Posted By: Kevin.S
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:04pm
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Well, this made it across. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2838681/Men-drive-van-across-Cook-Strait" rel="nofollow - http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2838681/Men-drive-van-across-Cook-Strait I think your boats a bit more capable than this.
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Posted By: Apex Predator
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:28pm
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In the 90's I crossed Cook Strait many many times in my first boat - a Plylite fisherman. It's not that far at all from Mana to Fishermans Rock or the Brothers. A 6m boat is plenty but, as Flyfisher says pick your weather and head back straight away if it looks like cutting up. I probably turned back 40-50% of the time because I wasn't happy with the conditions outside Mana Island but never had a really bad experience. To be honest I find Hawkes Bay and Taranaki to be more challenging than Cook Strait, Hawkes Bay because of the distances covered and Taranaki because it always seems to produce an unpleasant ride home.
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Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:31pm
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Thanks Flyfisher; I had thought about shadowing the ferry, done that behind some bigger boats up in Bay of Islands last season in a blow, definitely makes life a lot smoother! That Stabi sounds like the stuff of legend... ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:32pm
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EDIT sorry that was a reply to Kevin S. Heh. The van made it, but these chaps apparently didn't quite: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9426459/Criticism-over-Cook-Strait-biking-attempt
------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:34pm
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Cheers Apex. I am a bit of a big girl's blouse when it comes to weather, always preferring to err on the side of caution. We do most of our boating/fishing out of Whakatane, pretty plain sailing here... ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: waynorth
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:48pm
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The time of year isn't as important as conditions on the day Quintana. Pick a period of neap tides rather than springs, and don't go if the forecast is 15 knots or more - there's plenty of fetch for the wind to get the sea up in both directions, & it can be pretty sloppy out in the middle even on a nice day. The worst of the rip areas are on the Wellington side from Sinclair Head to Ohau Point, but plenty of locals fish in those very areas so don't be too put off. A 635 is plenty big enough for the crossing on the right day, but take all the usual precautions, including a TR to Maritime Radio or local Coastguard.
------------- treat fish like fish |
Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 2:53pm
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Thanks Waynorth - appreciate the insights. Probably good to set out +- an hour from slack water, too? Try and avoid the strongest tidal flows? The idea will be to clear the strait as quickly and comfortably as possible and get into the QC Sound and spend a couple days cruising around, fishing, diving etc. (you can imagine how I am hitting Google Earth and checking all these place names you guys are sharing - thanks for that!) ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: waynorth
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 3:15pm
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Re slack water a tentative yes - the tides in Cook Strait are a law unto themselves when it comes to both flow directions & durations though. I've PM'ed you a document from when I worked the Strait years ago - if it doesn't come out well in the PM let me know & I'll email it to you. ------------- treat fish like fish |
Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 3:43pm
Many thanks Waynorth - very useful. Appreciate it  ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: Betty Boop
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 5:04pm
Jase and Dave did it in Bumper Boats ------------- Last week I joined an Anti-Social support group........They won't talk to me! Papamoa fi-Glass Viscount |
Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 8:01pm
Those maniacs  ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: jonty.m
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 11:23pm
| I do it all the Time in my 5.6m stabi nothing to worry about 40 min each way mana- queen Charlotte |
Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2013 at 7:32am
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Any particular preparations you do? What would make you decide not to go (eg conditions you'd consider unplayable?) - and yes, some of the other guys here have pointed a few out already... ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: daveo
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2013 at 7:38am
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Don't over-think it mate, Pick the right weather and go, Tides etc don't matter. 5-15 knots in your boat will be fine. don't go in anything over that and don't go if its meant to get up. and use common sense forecasts aren't always right so if your not happy with the conditions turn back. Have fun ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Quintana
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2013 at 7:43am
 cheers! Probably quite guilty of overthinking it. Fire up the old Googler and all you read is 'COOK STRAIT DEADLY DANGEROUS, etc. (with the occasional break explaining how some dude did it in a kayak or a pedalo or indeed a bumper boat!)A lot more reassured/confident with the comments and input of all on here. Big thanks for that  ------------- You said it man. Nobody f*cks with the Jesus. |
Posted By: GRS
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2024 at 3:57pm
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Hi. We are looking to go across the strait in early Jan. We have a 8.5m rayglass. We are travelling to get down to Wellington. In your experience, how many days of a week are normally calm enough to cross? Just don't want to sit in Wellington for days! Cheers
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Posted By: BotStomper
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2024 at 3:43pm
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Bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question. You'll want to look at how big the tides are as they can hugely affect conditions in the strait. Are you going from Mana or the harbour side?
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Posted By: GRS
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2024 at 8:27am
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Hi. We are looking to leave from mana. What wind is the least troublesome? |