Anyone know if sailing in the Clarence river is any good (or reasonably possible) in westerlies when other options around the area are limited ?
I was thinking more inland than Iluka or Yamba -
Maybe at Lawrence right in the middle of the town from the riverside park, or perhaps from opposite the broadwater on the south side just upstream of Maclean where the road is right next to the river (just upstream of Ilarwill).
Both look to have reasonable fetches in the westerlies - Lawrence more SW maybe, Ilarwill more NW maybe ?
I have not sailed in the Clarence River but in my experience of westerlies and river sailing, it usually doesn't work out too well. Usually the wind is too gusty and comes from variable directions. So its difficult to get a decent long run. However it can be okay if the wind is consistent enough.
Perhaps on the Clarence it could be okay as the valley is pretty big with the hills a long way away. There aren't any decent lakes around there are there? Posting this question on the Queensland windsurf forum could bring some results.
You are probably right. Its a big river.
If the tides are opposite to the wind, ie the tide going one way and the wind the other, river sailing can be quite good as you don't have to keep working your way up wind. However when the current and wind are in the same direction its a bit of a struggle.
There used to be a marine shop close to Maclean on the highway. I think it was in a little town called Tyndale. When I was a kid we bought a Hobie cat there so there must be a few decent sailing spots around there with a decent run.
Carantocky,
Up near the Broadwater would be OK, as you said in a westerly.
Also some sections along there look good in a southerly as the surrounding land is pretty flat.
Don't forget to give us a report 
Poledancers have been dancing for many years now in the winter westerlies at Ulmarra.Oooooopppsssss,,,,sorry Ulmarra crew.
When you get out of the water freezing cold you go and stand in a fresh cow pad to warm your feet up....just gotta fight the local hillbillys for the freshest dumping.
^^^^^^ooopppsss,are you a local Ulmara hillbilly??LOL
Why the personnel attack??????Or no ability to communicate any other way???
I helped a fellow wind junkie with a question on where to sail on the Clarence.
By your avatar I guess you are country folk,,,,,sorry to offend yáll.
