Crossing the Tasman Sea in a cray boat.

This is the incredible story of a boat purchased in Portland, Victoria in Australia, and the journey it took to get there.
over 2000 miles and endless seas, the obstacles were a part of the adventure as we tackled one of the most formidable stretches of water in the world with more people climbing Mt Everest than crossing from as far south as Hobart to Bluff.
The fragility of being so isolated and vulnerable to the Southern Ocean and Tasman sea is made clear when disaster strikes!
Tune in and enjoy seeing w7eeks and months of hard work into 45 minutes

[@PillSharks]

Great trip! I’m a boatman in the uk and we have friends in Perth and they know a man who’s father had a small fishing fleet in Hull, England and wanted them sold, this was in the 70s when the fishing industry was falling away. He managed to make a deal with a bloke in Australia and the deal was that he will buy 2 boats if you can get them to Oz. they steamed all the way to Australia in 2 little fishing trawlers and made it after many stops, great listening to the bloke when he was telling me it.

[@davidskinner6765]

What an awesome adventure and achievement. Bloody ballsey. That's living right there 👏

[@barrybarry5803]

I was once a deck hand on an old 60 foot long Huon Pine Cray Boat from Port Welshpool to Flinders Island, it was during one of the worse storms iv'e ever known with 40 to 50 foot swells. I have never felt fear like i did on that trip and to this day i still give thanks that we survived it.

[@chrisferguson237]

lol Barry. I was at the Wickham Lighthouse on King Island watching these huge swells roll in on a fairly pleasant day. A couple of Ks offshore these was a fishing boat anchored, it would have had a 5, 6 meter mast/antenna on her. As they dipped in the swell, that was smooth and not breaking, the boat disappeared! 😅😅😅 No thanks!

[@barrybarry5803]

@@chrisferguson237 ~ At the end of the trip on the drive home there were massive big gum trees blown over in paddocks for 50ks or more... i had never seen such damage before, or since!

[@glennbrown1961]

Great video guys. That is a well travelled path for fishing boats big and small. Hobart town built a lot of vessels that ended up in the land of the long white cloud. Cheers

[@chrisferguson237]

Most Kiwis come over and never leave OZ. Good to see some leave! 😉😉😉 Hope you didn't have to buy fuel on King Island. Would have been $6 a liter! Epic journey, one for the memory bank. Thanks for sharing Bro! Come back anytime.

[@fulltimber]

I second that, just surprised they didn't want to take more back . Boats big enough to squeeze a few more in there

[@ianmcleod3631]

Did Portland to Russell 91 in a 21m sailing tinny enormous swell , squid washed over deck flying fish landed also, ate well , got the big cat up to 28 knots on some of the swells with rooster tail, adventure..

[@joguise6676]

Awesome vid guys, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see her back home.

[@joedennehy386]

Great boat. There are two similar to this used as Charter fishing boats in Coromandel. Joint venture and Ruebin James. 20 anglers can fish in comfort, and under shelter. 2 BBQ's, toilet, inside saloon. Quality boats. The engine sounds fantastic. Great engineering guys. Good trip. Thanks for sharing

[@zerofox7347]

What a fantastic boat I love it. Loads of open space and good protection from the elements too. Sounds great!

[@bomblifenewzealand]

I havent even watched this fully and aready I love it! Awesome video boys!

[@mikebarton]

Terrific stuff. 👏👏

[@KiwiRob351]

Cheers nice boat glad u made it safely

[@selwynellison8504]

Fantastic adventure guys. Shes a beast

[@petertaylor9016]

Great video thank you very helpful and an inspiration Cheers

[@abc-ke2yq]

Thanks for the video - cheers

[@iainhetherington4608]

Bloody blue throat wrasse curse of the southern ocean , only good for fish cakes Great video guys nothing like a good boat story all the best with the boat and success at what ever fishing you do in NZ Cheers from Penola SA near MtGambier

[@wendychristiansen3201]

Cool...thanks for the trip...😊❤

[@Un-guided]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mickannieobrien2803]

Great video boys I loved every minute of the trip, once you sort her out she will serve you well Cheers Mick from Geelong

[@terryforsyth4753]

Good work team...all the best going forward.

[@Un-guided]

Thank you so much

[@wendychristiansen3201]

It's going to be interesting watching.

[@grantnoble8449]

that was awesome to watch i live invercargill so dwn in bluff often lookin at boat when ever i drive past i hear new motor going in b4 it heads to chathams cool,nice boat

[@Un-guided]

Thanks Grant, it's a great place Bluff. I'm currently in Nelson about to take another boat across but this time from nz to aussie

[@rogerprout5574]

That's a great video. Nice boat. Welcome home. Subscribed 🍻

[@nzseagull]

Awesome I really enjoyed the video epic 😊

[@markwilkins8314]

You guys did a great job of vid and crossing well done glad you made it safely and looks like you ate well along the way really enjoyed your adventure

[@Un-guided]

Thanks Mark, really appreciate the nice things you've said. I hope to give you some more great adventures very soon!

[@aking9999]

I really enjoyed the video, Yes I would love to have more commentary and this could still be edited. I am keen to know what was the issues with the coolant,what was the sludge ? Was it fuel leaking into the coolant system ? What was this not checked before crossing ? What was the reason for removing the Bridge deck cover ? Keep us updated with your fishing adventures ! The Bluff strait is no place for greenhorns, so I hope you have some experienced people helping you on the fishing trips

[@Iswhatitisssss]

Nah it was the first time in a boat for all but the skip. The skippers second time on a boat. Made it look like they’ve done it before right!

[@tapwater9843]

Oil in the water better than water in the oil. But not much. A trip i would like to do one day. Good job.

[@davidbennion876]

Congratulations and all the best for the future. let us all know when next you put to sea. Cheers.

[@jonomasonILoveU]

The worst part of the trip was I was`nt onit, this brings back so many memories for me, love this life😁

[@Un-guided]

The sea is like an addiction! I know what you mean mate! Some of us are born for the sea.

[@edwardwright6961]

a great vid of the trip im glad the problems did not leave you stranded and introuble on that stretch of ocean and that you all made it home safely with the boat i have subed on the off chance you do some more vids of the refit and the launch and her out on her sea trials before she goes back to work cheers and good luck from the UK

[@Un-guided]

Thank you very much! Plenty of adventures are on the horizon. Really appreciate the sub

[@andymacdonald30]

That was a bit of an adventure .

[@bernardmccann7676]

Great vid enjoyed very much 👍

[@Un-guided]

Thanks very much, Bernard!

[@bernardmccann7676]

All good looked like a great trip very envious 👍

[@gwagon2010]

The coolant problem / motor problem was nasty to be crossing that stretch of ocean in...better you than me haha.....

[@kiwiwifi]

The odds for this passage going as well as it did were as bad as they get. Throwing that dice, even the one time had no upside. The successful delivery would have paid very little. This was their one shot at this ipassage. The tinny and it’s One screw, one engine, and four souls lived despite every single point of failure a ticking time bomb. They delivered a wreck, which had been a perfectly good boat just days before. The refit was Dione at the wrong end of the passage

[@Videostufftas]

Great video great to see you passing through Hobart 🇦🇺

[@weldthatiron3683]

Nice boat

[@georgem8200]

Wow, great video. I thought it takes weeks to do that crossing. Hope you show the refit, and the other crossings. You guys are nuts,subbed👍

[@wuggacrt]

Fcken Epic, modern day adventure.

[@Un-guided]

It sure was. Still have 2 more boats to cross the tasman coming up soon.

[@Antipodean33]

I thought it was gonna be one of those old beautiful wooden sailing cray boats

[@Un-guided]

I'm on a wooden sailing cray boat right now. Video to come in a few weeks

[@tahupotikihaddon2967]

Paradise

[@brianinmelb8427]

Thanks for sharing your adventures, awesome to see , expat kiwi in Melb’s, subscribed.👍

[@Un-guided]

Thanks Brian, got more stories on the go as we speak. Plenty more to come! Cheers mate

[@davidwolff8903]

Great video. Looked like fun with minimal trouble. That Heat Exchanger looked like it had oil in it???

[@g3tphukcedgoogl3]

Chur, looked like the mean trip.

[@IgmuTu1]

Great Vid of the trip fellas , enjoyed it , you travelled some of the areas i worked in crossing bass straight years ago on abalone .......... whats she being refitted to work as kudos Aussie in Canada

[@nickviner1225]

That V 12 makes a lok more noise than my old Gardner.

[@matui6983]

Cant beat a Gardner from 1 thru to 8 cylinders.

[@dominicluond7330]

Thought regnisd ian king well done guys

[@rodhodgson2512]

Believe the former owner was an Australian soldier who had done a couple of tours. Do you know what happened to him? Really enjoyed seeing the Australian ports through your eyes. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@Un-guided]

Yes, he has since brought an ex America's cup boat and is planning to charter it out from Cambodia. He does charity work throughout there, helping the locals. Thanks very much for watching and I'll be showing more of Australia and nz ports very soon. Thanks for watching!

[@jayhorton4088]

Makes me want to go to sea again 🦐🤙

[@riverside03]

This boat is the old NIFTY 2, i worked on it for a couple of years in 1992-94 crayfishing in Western Australia. Great solid boat built well those days.

[@Un-guided]

Was that with the rainbirds? It's a fantastic boat in a following sea. Well built indeed. I would love to hear and see pictures and stories of her years ago. The new owner is one of the best fisherman on the chatham islands and he will definitely be putting her through its paces

[@riverside03]

@@Un-guided no its was owned and built by a local guy in Mandurah,Western Australia his name was Neville (his nickname was NIFTY Nev) hence the boat name NIFTY 2. It was skippered by Mark Humphreys, crayfishing and some wet fishing on the off season. Are you sure it was built in 1990 ? i would have thought 1988 it was built in Henderson west au. i have a heap of photos of this boat somewhere

[@ebaab9913]

​@@Un-guided so you are taking it on to the Chathams after the refit?

[@Un-guided]

@@ebaab9913 not sure if my schedule will tie in with the relaunch or not. I still have 2 more vessels to cross the tasman in the next few weeks

[@Subaruej20]

Omg that's my dream to do that....will be getting a big boat soon when we move down to the coast.....35 to 40 ft....how exciting was it getting ready to go?? Looks like you had a blast. What sort of fuel burn and what was cruising speed?

[@AndanteCruises]

Had a similar experience back in Dec 22 lost all nav and instruments 200ml from Newcastle then 400 from Opua the new lift pump failed. We were in a Selene 43 doing half your speed. Well done !

[@Un-guided]

Holy heck! At least we aren't the only ones that have had this happen. How long did your crossing take?

[@AndanteCruises]

@@Un-guided 6 days and with the lost day caught a storm from Cape Brett to Opua. We were shattered.

[@Un-guided]

That's a marathon! Wow I can imagine, that's an epic effort

[@AndanteCruises]

Planning to come South in the future? Still on the hard stand fixing a mass of issues.

[@cameronpollard9212]

Enjoyed watching that. Is the MAN going to be kept ? Some people luv them others hate them. Great vid Cheers

[@Un-guided]

It's coming out and to be replaced with a brand new Scania. It was a good motor for us even though we had oil in the coolant. Apparently it was an ex tank engine.

[@johnfisher7143]

Jesus!! I’m glad old mate is paying for that fuel and not me 😢

[@yossarianbombardier6823]

Your turbo may be fucked! I'm not a mechanic but i drove a Scania years ago which had the same problem. Oil was leaking into the coolant system because the oil cooler seal was faulty or broken. Some of this oil is also making it's way into the turbo and burning up, I was topping up oil every 500-600 kilometres. The pointless individuals at Scania denied anything was wrong even after replacing the turbo with a used turbo. This was my experience but someone more qualified may say different. Cheers from OZ!

[@Reenie2303]

Great video . Would like to know your thoughts on how the star handled and overall performance.

[@Un-guided]

Absolutely beautiful with a following sea. It was great really. We hardly got the windows wet considering our long voyage. It was surprisingly good in a head on sea too. All in all a great safe hull that I would be happy to be work on fishing.

[@dudekiwi]

What ws the coolant problem ? Buggered heat exchanger? or head gasket ?

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Great video. Did you find out what was in the engine coolant and why ?

[@Un-guided]

We initially thought it was an old oil cooler that had blown and heat exchange not cleaned properly. However, it could be that oil was coming from out of the valve jacket. Either way a brand new Scania is going in her.

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

@@Un-guided thanks for letting me know.

[@kiwiwifi]

The new scania installed at the wrong end of the voyage. The owners had the crew risk it all with worn out unit for the passage. His decision to do that was his fear of loosing the new motor on this death march

[@kiwiwifi]

That hull is entirely unsuitable for# Tasman crossing. The Maritime Authority needs to review this issue. The insurer too.

[@ritchiecassidy9151]

Mean 👌👌👌👌

[@TasmanianDevil3]

Hope Hobart treated you well

[@roysmythe3760]

Tangaroa brought you all home safely

[@540chevhell9]

The 16 metre hull and MAN V12 did that

[@slipperygypsy336]

Your confused, the boat and the SEA brought them home.

[@540chevhell9]

@@slipperygypsy336 ….the sea never brings anyone home. Often the sea kills. Your skill and your boat do it, it’s as simple as that.

[@robmarshall956]

We are all in Gods hands friends.

[@kiwiwifi]

@@slipperygypsy336 The owner received a very different boat from the one they had paid for.

[@pauanui1]

Why would you cut the lid off?

[@rogereade4950]

well managed

[@ashtoncuthbertson790]

You went past my work in dunally

[@Un-guided]

Do you operate the bridge?

[@geoffbell166]

So if the motor quits in the middle of the Tasman,and cannot be restarted,do you just hit the button and wait to be rescued?!

[@Un-guided]

That's what we didn't want to do. We made every single step to mitigate that happening. We have 6 hourly voyage reports to maritime radio via satellite phone and email as we had star-link internet. Ian, the owner, knows how to fix an engine no matter the situation. Everyone kept calm, cool, and professional as we knew the issue could be fixed. Was all a part of the journey.

[@geoffbell166]

@@Un-guided Escaped convicts sailed a small boat to NZL sth coast from Tasmania,we have got Abit soft on it! I don't think a rescue helo would have enough range to reach you,they would have to send a frigate probably!

[@jeffwhite9001]

How come you cut the fly bridge roof off?

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Un-guided 8 days ago The owner had no need for it in nz and wanted to cut down on weight on the roof. We figured it would've weighed 150kg after cutting it.

[@ogee346]

CHUR bros hearty as TRIP..MEAN

[@scottyfrognsock2396]

New Zealand has the best pies

[@Un-guided]

I couldn't agree more!

[@ChumpyChicken2]

Fart 💨 comment!

[@alexmorton5618]

Why did you cut the roof off?

[@Un-guided]

The owner had no need for it in nz and wanted to cut down on weight on the roof. We figured it would've weighed 150kg after cutting it.

[@Iswhatitisssss]

How much fuel roughly for the journey?

[@Un-guided]

4800 litres used

[@pjhoneycut]

How come the Top was cut off? Too much of a wind sail?

[@hankcuccina5260]

Perhaps it wouldn't have fitted under the cover when they got there, looks like a tight fit.

[@Un-guided]

Quite a few reasons. Unnecessary weight up top, and it was always going to come off as the weather is too cold for roof top driving where the boat will eventually end up. Plus, fitting into the shed etc.

[@nicktorea4017]

33:52 is that Keiran Boyle???

[@Un-guided]

Yep, sure is!

[@Rogster559]

A bit of commentary on what is going on would be good

[@Un-guided]

A bit of reading the subtitles might help you.

[@ebaab9913]

Good thing I have been up and down the Derwent, so I knew when you got to the mouth. Could have at least told them as you passed Point Raoul and turned for NZ.

[@Un-guided]

@eBaab yeah I did forget to edit that part in. Thats a beautiful piece coast along there!

[@johnfisher7143]

Doesn’t need much explaining, old mate buys a cray boat in Oz, does a bit of fixing on it, drinks a bit of piss, smokes a few durries, has a barbie or two, catches some fish, drives the boat around tassie for a bit then heads to NZ. Easy.

[@Insert.anger50]

20:20 wheres the joints, perfect get on the piss smoke weed blast some sounds 👌🗣️💨🌊🌊🌊

[@krismaitland7885]

11.3 knots round abouts on the crossing,having that cooling system making mud would definitely put the shits up anyone,look forward to seeing the refit👌

[@Tangaroa775]

Ian is he related to Joe king he was a cray fisherman down there came to northland to be a farmer?

[@katanafish5226]

A’Joe King’ from Stewart Is got a boat built in Geraldton,he spent a day driving my boat as it was similar to what he eventually ordered.Wonder if it’s the same guy?

[@caravanstuff2827]

You guys got some big cajones... could have gone tits up and side ways very easily.. good to see it can be done if the weather god's are smiling and you don't hit some 💩 floating around out their!!.🇦🇺😎

[@user-lg8ko9jb9l]

Grant Orchard

[@springerheaven9343]

Well done good boat

[@stuarth43]

Crossed twice, once in 90 knot storm in a 15000 tonne ship, next as skipper in a 16m, got hammered them too, you were lucky not for me a chined planing boat running at displacement speed I'd want self righting and this boat is not a 40 ft wave could roll ya and then it is all over I served on tugs North Sea, as I said you were lucky or maybe you studied the weather before casting off good onua anyways

[@Un-guided]

That's a great story. Those are the ones only few can say, and only a few could ever understand the power of the sea after experiencing that. We definitely waited for the right forecast. We had to wait nearly 3 weeks to leave hobart

[@JimLahey21]

No autopilot? That would have sucked

[@Un-guided]

We had auto pilot. I have done 2 crossing to that chatham islands that was 420 miles with no auto pilot. That sucked so much hahaha

[@kiwiwifi]

😂 On most days you have 3 hours to live as a hyperthermic dehydrated rag doll that is dying from all of the previously mentioned. Untill every bone is broken amd you die from becoming a burley bomb.

[@dougallmcmillan8970]

I can only presume that with no running commentary, not identifying the crew and purpose of trip was because you were running contraband between Australia and New Zealand! If not, the video lacks meaning to all that did not know the crew.

[@Un-guided]

Better than your crossing of the tasman. Have a great day.

[@kiwikiwi8023]

Cheers for the video enjoyed

[@540chevhell9]

It's a delivery of a cray boat from Australia to New Zealand. Can't you figure that one out chimp?

[@peterwiremuormsby9383]

Hey doagul, you're an egg!!