Kimberley Adventure Trailer Sailing Berkeley River to Darwin

[@thisneurodiverselife]

What an adventure, super inspirational. So much natural beauty and wild untouched wilderness. And you did it all in a trailer sailer. One Life, One Search, Shane

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Thanks Shane. As your motto says, one life, one search, need to make the most of it while you can. The Kimberley is a truly wild and beautiful place and would encourage anyone who has and interest in the area to get out there and explore. We live on an amazing planet with so much beauty for those prepared to get out there and experience it. Cheers Mark

[@damoog5985]

What an epic journey - fantastic. In addition to your very capable selves, your trip has really brought home what a capable boat the RL28 is - sometimes it's easy to forget that it's trailerable. We had an RL24 for a while, which was also wonderful, but I might not have been quite so appropriate on that last leg of your trip! Thanks again for bringing us all with you.

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Damo, thanks for the comment. Yes the RL28 is a great cruising boat and was designed mainly for that purpose. For a trailable boat it has the space below of a small keel boat. Like all boats it has its limitations and you work with those. I often say that safety on a lot of sailing adventures is 75% about the skipper and 25% about the boat. I have read many accounts of ill prepared skippers in larger keel boats drowning at sea only to find their intact boat afloat later. Similarly many accounts of very small boats doing major ocean crossings, although some of those you would need to be a little crazy to endure handling storm conditions! RL24's are great boats but were designed more for racing and at that they are still competitive. Handled carefully they would be more than capable of doing the Kimberley trip with special attention to good seamanship if caught out in rough conditions. I suppose it all comes down to knowing your boat and how to handle the boat for different sea conditions. Most important is just to get out there and explore and enjoy this wonderful planet while you can. :) Cheers Mark

[@ianbell5611]

Thank You both for posting and sharing your trip. Looking forward to sharing your next adventure.

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

More to come! Eventually...a few domestic things to catch up on for a while. Cheers Mark

[@TonyKeyes]

G'day Mark and Helen. What an excellent adventure in every way. Congratulations to you both for the courage and tenacity you brought to it, and for the patience of shooting, editing and publishing the videos. It's been a great escape for those of us stuck at home, and as others have said very educational, both about the cruising grounds and the boat. Good luck with the new pad in Metung and the new adventures you'll have from that excellent departure point!

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Tony, always appreciate your feedback. I am always hopeful that I can inspire others to dream and plan their own adventures. We both loved the trip including the harder bits and will forever have fond memories of the Kimberley. The 69 days on the water seemed to pass in the blink of an eye which is always a sign of a great adventure. Its currently pouring with rain at Metung, I reckon we may have had 100mm already, hopefully nothing washes away. Will definitely fit some smaller trips around the lakes in the near future and further afield in the next year or 2 once the house has been renovated. Lots of dreaming and planning in between of course! Cheers Mark

[@coopersrace7277]

Fantastic video series Mark. I am disappointed the trip is over (as no doubt are you). Hope you make more videos of future adventures to share with us.

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Thanks for the comment. Definitely sad it's over but so so grateful that life allowed us to adventure to the Kimberly. It is definitely a very special part of Australia and has left us with great memories that will go on. Of course we will go more adventures that will be shared to inspire others to get out there too . Cheers Mark

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Hi Mark, just watch the video and just realised I missed the last one as I was doing a boat delivery ( 65 foot motor boat) from Pittwater to Perth. Some times we would use 240 lt per hour for 10 hrs. Any way will have to go watch the other I missed. Mark what a wonderful adventure you guys had. And I know a lot of people loved it. Will keep an eye open for you next time I am on the lakes over Christmas. Once again thank you very much for all the wonderful work you have done putting these videos up.

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Mark, great to hear from you. Sounds like you were having your own big adventure, crossing the great Australian bight is something that has a fearful fascination for me. At least it was at the perfect time of year, hope the weather held well and didn't give too many surprises. Sounds like a fast boat at least, 240l/hr, could have done 8 Kimberley trips on that! Look forward to catching up some time. Currently apart from endless renovations doing a motor bracket mod on my boat to allow the outboard to tip up and out of the well easily.... lots of fibreglass dust! Hopefully all my calculations are right and it works as planned. Cheers Mark

[@mikehogan9265]

What a great achievement in a trailer sailer. Enjoyed your watching your trip!

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Mike, Appreciate the feedback, glad you enjoyed the videos. Cheers Mark

[@aaronpetch2737]

Excellent series Mark, what a great achievement, thanks for sharing!

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Aaron, Glad you enjoyed it. Glad to have a short break from editing videos for now. But its been good to relive the trip as I put the videos together though. Cheers Mark

[@aaronpetch2737]

@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES Any plans for another adventure?

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Aaron, it may be a while for the next big adventure but there will be a few smaller ones on the Gippsland lakes first as we settle into our new home in Metung and do a lot of renovations first. I do still aspire to sail out to Deal Island and maybe beyond in Bass Strait from Lakes Entrance. Also would like to do a trip up the east coast from Lakes Entrance as well. The Kimberley trip took a couple of years of planning so the next big trip may be a year or so ahead. Cheers Mark

[@aaronpetch2737]

@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES Oh wow, you'll be surrounded with boat fanatics. Enjoy the renovations, I'm sure you'll apply a similar effort to the design and detail of your RL28. I look forward to seeing more of your video's, Regards Aaron

[@pauljensen3253]

Hi Mark, just subscribed from sunny UK? Will watch your full series but already hooked on our own adventure. Paul

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Paul, Hello from Australia. Life is too short not to get out there and experience what out wonderful planet has to offer. Safe and wonderful travels on your own adventures. Cheers Mark

[@tonywoollcombe1799]

Hi Mark, unable to comment on your latest video. On Oakes Entrance. I do hope you are well. Thoroughly enjoyed it… you have been missed

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Thanks Tony. Lots of domestic distractions at the moment with the move to Metung and our first grandchild being born. Hopefully I will get out on the water a bit more soon. Daughter has just started building her first house in Qld and has hinted mum and dad may be needed to help with construction, so that may also take away from sailing time. I am toying with a trip from Lakes Entrance to Deal Island in Bass strait, a bit over 200 NM return. Will depend on weather and other distractions late Feb and early March. Did have someone who was keen to come along but has recently backed out. Cheers Mark

[@campbellshaw8698]

Relished the whole series. Your videos are taking on an almost documentary flavour- brought to mind the good old Leyland Brothers from back in the day.. Looking forward to whatever your next adventure brings.

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Campbell, I love it when my videos bring up memories of the Leyland brothers or Malcom Douglas. Growing up in the 1960's and 70's they were favorites of mine and would never miss an episode of either when on TV. Next adventure may be a little while having just moved house with the house needing much work, but we now live on the Gippsland Lakes so there will be some smaller trips in the interim. Cheers Mark

[@chappy6817]

What an epic trip guys. Amazing part of the country that most people will never see. If it was not for the crocs I think it would be on my list but with a young family I don't think I'd be comfortable. Luckily the GBR is on my doorstep! What's the next adventure?

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

The trip will certainly have memories that will last a life time. The Kimberley is definitely a very special place, bigger than words or pictures in many ways. The crocs are manageable if you take the right precautions, don't swim in salt water or anywhere a croc can climb to from salt water. I understand the worry of having kids in that sort of country as you cant have them playing on the waters edge on salt water beaches ever. We have just moved to the Gippsland lakes to retire into an old ranch style house that needs lots of work so in the sort term we will be busy with renovations but will squeeze in some trips around the lakes system. In a year or so I would love to explore some of the islands in Bass Strait starting from Lakes Entrance and heading out to Deal Island half way to Tassie. More adventures up the east coast including the GBR are also on the wish list. Have to also share the time with grand kids that have started arriving. Might be retired now but busier now than ever even when working. Good luck with your GBR adventures. When our kids were young we sailed out of Cooktown north through Lizard Island, other remote islands to the north and nearly to Princess Charlotte Bay on Cape York. Then sailed south to the Daintree and other islands in that area. My kids are now in their 30's and still have great memories that shape their lives from that trip and others we have done. You will never go wrong taking your kids on your adventures and the precious times you have as a family. Cheers Mark

[@frodosadventures8757]

Wow! What a great trip, and another great video! Where and when is your next adventure?

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Thanks for the comment. The next one will be a little down the track, lots of domestic duties coming up having just moved house and a new grandchild due any day now. The Kimberley trip took over a year of planning so the next big trip will take a bit of time. Will be doing smaller trips around the Gippsland lakes where we now live until then. I would like to do some adventure trips into Bass Strait to Deal Island and possibly further from Lakes Entrance. Or possibly from Lakes Entrance up the east coast but that will probably be a year away. Both would take some planning and choosing the best time of year. Might also head north again to far north Queensland for a few more adventures up that way again as well. Cheers Mark

[@bow72au]

Mark, any idea how much fuel you used in the dinghy? And congrats on this trip have followed your others as well. Phil of SEAKA

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

Hi Phil, didn't keep a really accurate measure of dinghy fuel use but it would have been around 60 litres in total, I would say I filled its 20 litre tank at least 3 times. The old 15hp Johnson two stroke was not the most economical motor to use and had it been a four stroke the useage would have been much less. Cheers Mark

[@christopherrussell1677]

Really interested in your towing setup . Would you be able to let me know the relevant details of your rig ? ie. vehicle , yacht , trailer , towball weight + extras ? I’m having trouble working out my own situation 🤔 .

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

The vehicle is a Mazda BT50 4WD dual cab ute and is an excellent tow vehicle for the job. Any modern 4wd ute with a 3500kg tow capacity would do just as well. The RL28 is reported to be around 1370kg empty but with motor, gear, trailer etc will come in at 2500kg to 3500kg depending on how much gear and if the motor is the diesel inboard or an outboard. So for this boat you need a 3500kg tow capacity. I have set my tow ball weight at around 280kg by adjusting the position of the wheel base on the trailer. Tow ball weight should be between 8 and 10% of the trailer+boat weight. Anything over 2000kg on the trailer needs electric brakes to all wheels with a breakaway system that activates breaks if the trailer detaches from the vehicle underway. My trailer uses an Alko air activated brake unit which is excellent and gives the breakaway function as standard and is also instantaneous breaking unlike other electric units. On a boat trailer they are all electric over hydraulic systems that allow the wheels to be submerged for launching. My trailer is a highly upgraded swiftco 7.6m tandem trailer. Frame has been good but have replaced the brake unit and calipers. Happy with it now but it took a lot of work to get it there. I wouldn't recommend a swiftco trailer as the service from the owner was appalling. Hope this is of some help. Cheers Mark

[@christopherrussell1677]

@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES thanks , I have a Wildtrak that has been beefed up , trailer is a tri axle . Brake system is bulletproof like the trailer , redarc tow pro fitted ( amazing ) , I’m just having trouble working out the yacht weight ( engine - Volvo penta diesel inboard ) , water ballast and the trailer weight 🤷‍♂️ . If I go to a weigh bridge the yacht can’t be separated ! 🤷‍♂️.

[@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES]

@@christopherrussell1677 The trailer will be a heavy one and with the diesel the boat will also be on the heavier side. The only real way to be absolutely sure of all the weights is to weigh the whole rig with boat then launch the boat and weigh the car and trailer and do the maths. Then take off the trailer and weigh the car and do the maths again to get the trailer weight. The trailer may have a compliance plate that will give you the trailer weight but if a bit older it may not. No easy way unfortunately but once you have done it properly you will have piece of mind and a better idea of what you are dealing with. The car sounds fine as long as its tow capacity is 3500kg. I am not sure but some of the early wildtraks had a lower rating. Cheers Mark

[@christopherrussell1677]

@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES yes , a bit of mucking around to get all the weights correct however considering what you must have been carrying on the trip , I’m sure I’m OK at the moment 🤔 , would be nice to know exact numbers though ! All the best .