I'm currently in the Goldcoast, enroute South back to Sydney. Looks like I'll be travelling this leg solo, the same as the last 600 odd miles ex Hamo.
This next leg has some long transits between Anchorages. On the way up north, I avoided Ballina Bar, due to adverse comments in the past about the bar. I did a night in Byron Bay, not ideal, between the GC & Iluka. The weather on Saturday looks to have promising ENE backing to NE 10 k
but Sunday promises a return to SE, same as Friday. So ideally I would like a rest stop in Ballina! So could anyone with knowledge advise the pros/cons
please!
I draw 1.95m. 11.4 m Bavaria.
Looks like 60 miles, which I have done before.
cheers Richard
Select to expand quoteStockie said..
I avoided Ballina Bar, due to adverse comments in the past about the bar.
You only hear about the bad crossings. It skewers your perception.
I can't help with the bar itself, Ive only crossed it twice on someone else boat over 25 years ago. Plan to be at the entrance at a daytime slack water with a preplanned bug-out option. I know it's a sucky thought to continue on when you are tired. But if your hands a forces at least you planned it when your mind was fresh.
They might have been my comments. I recall its about 96nm to Southport to Yamba bar.
Yachts your size do make it into Ballina (where I do my skiff sailing), but it's not a reliable port of entry (or exit). We based our yacht at Yamba for that reason even though we live near Ballina.
As a matter of safety and prudence, your trip plan has to at least contemplate the strong possibility that you'll need to continue on to Yamba. Our best time Southport to Yamba in a Bavaria 34 was 12 hours in a good NE'er (14 hours in a less good one) always using the motor to stay near hull speed when the wind eased and clearly with wave assist letting us exceed hull speed for the latter part of the trip. But obviously a SE would be a different proposition,
As Toph infers, like any dodgy bar, try and time your entry towards the top of an incoming tide. But my understanding is the bar has deteriorated since 'the old days".
It's a high of only 1.29 at 8.26 Saturday morning with a moderately low low both before and after. That's a very early departure with mainly night sailing from Southport, without much wind assist for the trip and not much of a high high. The evening tide is higher but after dark. And with a near meter drop it will be a strong run out when it gets up steam.
Other sites show the afternoon getting up to 15 knots NE, but I have to say, I'm not sure why. The synoptic charts suggests a SE and there doesn't seem to be enough heat for a seabreeze. Still, I'll defer to the experts (I'm not being sarcastic).
We'll be out racing on Sunday afternoon if you make it in. Wave to the yellow and white twin wire skiff. Select to expand quoteStockie said..
I'm currently in the Goldcoast, enroute South back to Sydney. Looks like I'll be travelling this leg solo, the same as the last 600 odd miles ex Hamo.
This next leg has some long transits between Anchorages. On the way up north, I avoided Ballina Bar, due to adverse comments in the past about the bar. I did a night in Byron Bay, not ideal, between the GC & Iluka. The weather on Saturday looks to have promising ENE backing to NE 10 k
but Sunday promises a return to SE, same as Friday. So ideally I would like a rest stop in Ballina! So could anyone with knowledge advise the pros/cons
please!
I draw 1.95m. 11.4 m Bavaria.
Looks like 60 miles, which I have done before.
cheers Richard
I've looked at Ballina a few times and kept going!, I wouldn't waste time coming inshore to have a look while going South, stay out in the current.
im not seeing any window at all, until Tuesday, I have friends in the same situation, waiting at GC for weather to continue South, enjoy the GC for a couple more days then enjoy the sailing on Tuesday by the looks of it at present.
Personally if it was me, I'd get going about 0400 Tuesday from Bums Bay, and ensure getting to Yamba bar before dark, on the flood tide.
Have you had a good trip so far Stockie?
my experience was nice going north and ok coming south except we got stuck there. The weather turned nasty and that river even got nasty with Debris and all sorts of crap , logs etc rushing through. excess rain mean it was flooding. I could see the potential for it getting pretty ugly in there. Got trapped for 2 weeks.
No problem with your draft. What about Evans Head?
Even Yamba Bar was bad on the way down, but i crossed it in 30kn northerlies on the last 30 min of run out tide. Felt like a surf....
Thank you for some sensible answers guys, isn't it a great resource we have to bounce ideas off our brains trust!
Gee Tamble, that B34 must have been scooting along well to do it in 12 hours, I'd be happy with 14 hours for 96 miles. I'll certainly heed the advice and just do the leg to Iluka, with a red eye launch out of the GC. Obviously when a favourable N to NE pattern arrives.
Thanks again
Richard
Select to expand quoteStockie said..
Thank you for some sensible answers guys, isn't it a great resource we have to bounce ideas off our brains trust!
Gee Tamble, that B34 must have been scooting along well to do it in 12 hours, I'd be happy with 14 hours for 96 miles. I'll certainly heed the advice and just do the leg to Iluka, with a red eye launch out of the GC. Obviously when a favourable N to NE pattern arrives.
Thanks again
Richard
With wind, waves and the EAC all going together, the SOG was peaking at 13 knots with some great surfboat rides thrown in.
If you're planning an evening entry into Yamba from Gold Coast remember to allow for NSW daylight saving in your calculations.
Select to expand quoteStockie said..
Thank you for some sensible answers guys, isn't it a great resource we have to bounce ideas off our brains trust!
Gee Tamble, that B34 must have been scooting along well to do it in 12 hours, I'd be happy with 14 hours for 96 miles. I'll certainly heed the advice and just do the leg to Iluka, with a red eye launch out of the GC. Obviously when a favourable N to NE pattern arrives.
Thanks again
Richard
Stockie, I've done this run a few times.
Two of us are heading down from the Goldcoast on either Monday or Tuesday, bit far away weather wise to decide at this moment.
LEWIE, an H28, is already in Bums Bay.
I'm in SEAKA a Top Hat Mk1 still in Mooloolaba, but will sail south on Friday when the southerly stops,
I've PM you my phone number.
Select to expand quoteTamble said..Stockie said..
Thank you for some sensible answers guys, isn't it a great resource we have to bounce ideas off our brains trust!
Gee Tamble, that B34 must have been scooting along well to do it in 12 hours, I'd be happy with 14 hours for 96 miles. I'll certainly heed the advice and just do the leg to Iluka, with a red eye launch out of the GC. Obviously when a favourable N to NE pattern arrives.
Thanks again
Richard
With wind, waves and the EAC all going together, the SOG was peaking at 13 knots with some great surfboat rides thrown in.
Good effort, I saw 11's and a surfing 14 k on the run north back in May, near The Keppel's.
7 knots is a good average for me!
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..Stockie said..
Thank you for some sensible answers guys, isn't it a great resource we have to bounce ideas off our brains trust!
Gee Tamble, that B34 must have been scooting along well to do it in 12 hours, I'd be happy with 14 hours for 96 miles. I'll certainly heed the advice and just do the leg to Iluka, with a red eye launch out of the GC. Obviously when a favourable N to NE pattern arrives.
Thanks again
Richard
Stockie, I've done this run a few times.
Two of us are heading down from the Goldcoast on either Monday or Tuesday, bit far away weather wise to decide at this moment.
LEWIE, an H28, is already in Bums Bay.
I'm in SEAKA a Top Hat Mk1 still in Mooloolaba, but will sail south on Friday when the southerly stops,
I've PM you my phone number.
Thanks Phillip, got you number in my contacts, will keep an eye out for you after Friday
Select to expand quotelauriel said..
If you're planning an evening entry into Yamba from Gold Coast remember to allow for NSW daylight saving in your calculations.
Thanks Lauriel, times one thing, actual daylight is another. But good point!
Stockie
If you're looking for a crew, I found this add
"Hi sailors! I'm Kinga, I have ICC and have been sailing around the coastal of Croatia, Greece, Italy and recently crossed from Spain to the Canary Islands. I have some experience and can be very helpful onboard as watch keeper or maintenance help. I'm easygoing person, who likes travelling and cooking. Currently situated in Brisbane and looking for adventures preferably around Whitsundays or any route to Sydney from 12th of December."
From this person
www.facebook.com/login.php?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmessages%2Ft%2******a.siwicka.3
On this site
www.facebook.com/groups/1740251159555701/
OK, just noticed "December", but who knows for a quick trip South; or even just a day or two to yamba
Update!
Did the big day from Gold Coast to Yamba, 16 hours. Went close by the entrance to Ballina, in last of daylight, I would have been grateful to pull in and rest, but bar conditions put me off! Iluka was entered around midnight, nice an easy, and a lovely Anchorage once in. Did Camden Haven on Saturday and that was at this time, easy. Now enroute to Broughton or Port Stephens, ever closer to home port.
It was a big NE'er Thursday. Was that when you did Southport/ Yamba?
Was down at Byron and the water was pretty wild - but should have made a fast trip
Select to expand quoteTamble said..
It was a big NE'er Thursday. Was that when you did Southport/ Yamba?
Was down at Byron and the water was pretty wild - but should have made a fast trip
It was a Monday, started off light almost on the nose out off GC, then finally on the stern quarter.
arrived back today in Port Hacking, had a fast run from Pittwater to the Hacking in a Westerly that built up to near on 20 knots at times, I carried a kite for the majority of the run, until it was getting a little unhinged, single handed and hitting 11 knots, with the rudder being used carefully and with great anticipation to avoid round up,s.
averaged over the whole leg, 7.44 knots I have done just the hacking to Sydney in more time!
very happy with boat, gave her a dive in home waters to rub off slight slime, ready for the onslaught of theHacking.
