Ahoy, land sailors. I'm a writer currently in the middle of a fiction novel about two middle aged men sailing a land yacht by road from Port Augusta to the Gulf of Carpentaria via Burketown in North Queensland. This is probably impossible in reality, but in the interests of making it real as possible, I'm asking the land yachting community for their thoughts on the matter. My fictional sailors have time on their side, so can wait for the right winds. Matters of practical interest are:

1. Would the police and other authorities let you do it, and what clearances/permits etc would be required? The vehicle in the book is roadworthy. with disk brakes, indicators, and of dimensions that meet legal requirements. I know a bicycle wouldn't need registration for the same trip, but any feedback here would be appreciated.

2. Road conditions: I've chosen National Route 83 as the most direct route because it's shorter, and less problematic than going via the Stuart Highway through Alice Springs because of the traffic problems of the busier highway. NR 83 goes through Leigh Creek, Maree, Birdsville, Boulia, Mt Isa, to Burketown. Any info on hills or other uphill stuff, road surfaces or difficulties/hazards will also help. Max Tunbridge, who sailed the Birdsville Track in September 2013, has offered some valuable perspectives, but the more the merrier.

Thank you all,

Hornblower.

Thanks, BBalls. I suspect that's the case, but I'll bother some authorities so I have the ring of authenticity in the story. I also wonder if anyone has actually made this sort of land yacht trip on wind alone. Everyone I've read about who's tried it has had an auxiliary motor or pedal power or some other backup.

www.abc.net.au/news/2003-10-24/swiss-man-sails-through-australian-desert/1498430

www.walkaboutjoe.com/swiss.pdf

some info on winds for your story
earth.nullschool.net/
www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/selection_map.shtml
www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/index.shtml?bookmark=200&view=map

We've spoken to Max Tunbridge, Beachball, and he's been very helpful. We'd prefer to not have to deal with the departments, but considering the length of the trip, and over 1000km on National Route B83—and that's not taking into account the improbabilities built into this fool's errand anyway—it's better we stay on the right side of the authorities. The Transport Departments basically said WTF but I've sent a proposal and various negotiations are underway, so I live in hope. Bearing in mind that the land yacht in question has indicators, warning lights, disc brakes on four wheels, a host of other safety features, plus a support vehicle in front, and the other strategies we've offered to eliminate hazard to road users and us, there is a sniff of optimism. We'll keep you posted.

as a purist have you considered a set of oars or a paddle to get you through the towns

Good idea TP1.

By the way, did you get your elec bike together? I have just assembled a brushless unit on a relatives mountain bike, goes like as rocket, much better than my brush type motor unit.