I'm taking a drive from Ballina region to Gosford on the weekend to attend a three day gig there. I'm keen to use my free time during the days to check out flat water sailing spots - reconnaissance mission for subsequent trips.
I've read stuff about sailing Budgewoi on this forum and have heard about Toowoon Bay - keen to have a look around while I'm there. Any suggestions within easy reach of Gosford or not far off the M1 on my way home much appreciated.
Select to expand quoteHungrywave said..
I'm taking a drive from Ballina region to Gosford on the weekend to attend a three day gig there. I'm keen to use my free time during the days to check out flat water sailing spots - reconnaissance mission for subsequent trips.
I've read stuff about sailing Budgewoi on this forum and have heard about Toowoon Bay - keen to have a look around while I'm there. Any suggestions within easy reach of Gosford or not far off the M1 on my way home much appreciated.
Budgy could be good Saturday. You'll need a weedy..preferably a delta type .If it's larger than 24cm you'll need to be careful where you go..Actually we've had heaps of rain.If the level is still up you'll be able to use larger fins but there may not be as much flatwater.
It depends on what you call flat..plenty of 20 - 30cm chop if you aren't into speed sailing.
Thanks SBC
I'm heading down early Friday so will take detour off the M1 and just check the set ups at Budgie and Lake Tuggerah. I wasn't going to bring my gear, but now I'm thinking about it. 20 to 30cm chop is fine, though I don't have weed fins. I ride a Tabou Rocket wide 120 with a 36 Zulu regular fin. Sounds like the fin is my downfall. I may well head back up on Saturday and check the sailing at Budgie- conditions looking good so far, fingers crossed.
There are plenty of places in the various central coast lakes you can sail without a weed fin..... but if you want to sail the speed strips at Budgy/Canton where the water can be very flat, you need a weed fin and for some spots (budgy speed strip), a very shallow weed fin. Otherwise there is plenty of typical lake chop conditions that can be sailed without a weed fin. I've sailed a number of times on Lake Munmorah and Tuggerah from a couple different launch points depending on the wind direction. I'm from Sydney, but locals would know better.
I've never been to the budgy speed strip in really good conditions with the right equipment, but my PR on GPSTC for 2S speed was set at Canton on a cranking southerly with my FSW board with a normal weed fin around 28cm or so deep. I think that is too deep for the speed strip at budgy. I've only done budgy in NE where I was underpowered for my equipment (which is small-medium in maybe 20knots).... you still go very quick compared to anywhere else. in the same wind. Would love to get there on a 25-30knots day.
Atm Budgy is up to 0.80m..you could use any depth fin but I doubt there'd be any flatwater. That could come down by the weekend.
You'd want ENE - NE winds..E is offshore but could be ok launching from Brandon Lane on the N side. Watch out for the metal wheel around there. It's marked but at this depth it might be covered.
Lake macquarie could be good but is likely to be full of boats and jetskiis..It's not as flat as Budgy but not too bad in under 20kts of wind.
Thanks both for the info. That's it, decision made. I'm bringing my gear down with me. If the gig I'm going to is good, I could make this an annual trip, but with a bit more time! I'll check out the lie of the land on the way down, then head up to Budgie from Gosford on Saturday. If there's not enough water, I'll check out options on the way back to Gosford. Frankly it will be a nice change to be able to fall off in some shallow water for a change! I sail in the Richmond River in Ballina, so no problem with a bit of chop. Frothing, cheers!
