In 2014 Kiwis and Aussies can sail together in pre-Indonesia rally

by John Martin/Sail-World Cruising on 7 Jul 2013 New Zealand and Australian sailors will have the opportunity to sail together this year to join the annual Sail2Indonesia Rally. The Island Cruising Association is organising rallies which dovetail, mustering together in far north Queensland in late June 2014. But why Indonesia? ...and why join a rally to get there? John Martin, well-known rally organiser, tells:

For centuries Indonesia has been a Mecca for sailing boats. First to the area were the Dutch and Portuguese adventurers, followed by the trading clippers taking spices to the world. In recent years cruisers have sailed to Indonesia for the countries natural assets;- great diving, amazing rain forests, wildlife, it's thousands of islands making up the biggest archipelago in the world and a truly outstanding cultural experience.

However, there's a rub. While on the east to west migratory track Indonesia should be a given for the circumnavigating cruiser, the myriad rules and regulations of entry have seen many run foul of bureaucracy only to leave feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.

In a deal brokered between the Island Cruising Association and the Indonesian Tourism Ministry the Island Cruising Association's inaugural Sail 2 Indonesia rally in July 2014 offers a much simpler option for all cruisers.

Mustering on the far north Queensland coast in late June 2014 the Sail 2 Indonesia fleet departs from the Torres Straits for arrival in Indonesia at Sumlaki on the 28th of July, the beginning of a three month odyssey through the Indonesian archipelago.

For participants wishing to join from New Zealand or the Pacific Islands there is a separate feeder rally departing from Opua in Northland New Zealand in early May 2014. The Sail 2 Indonesia feeder rally sails through Vanuatu, clearing in at Anatom and out at Luganville to join the muster on the Queensland coast and can be joined at any stop on the rally route.

17 festival stops are planned on the Sail 2 Indonesia route and participants are welcome at as many, or as few, as they would like to attend, all are free for rally participants.

Your Sail 2 Indonesia rally entry fee includes your CAIT (Indonesian entry permit for the boat) , English speaking ground support is provided at all stops along the way, plus entry and exit support, sponsorship letters for visa application and temporary import and exit documentation for the boat.

In other words all the documentation necessary for the boat is handled on your behalf, taking the stress out of sailing this extraordinary cruising ground.

Rally applications are now open but numbers have been limited for the inaugural running of the Sail 2 Indonesia event in 2014.

Visit www.sail2indonesia.com and register your interest to receive more information and your entry documents.