Hi all,
My first post but I have been following this great forum for some time.
I am relocating back to Oz from UK and would like to sail in Lake Macquarie. Hence, a few questions about gear and conditions.
I started windsurfing in June this year and am in the harness, planing, doing beachstart and fast tack on a short board (Rocket 135).
I weigh 72kg and have the following kit: Tabou Rocket 135, sails - 5.4m, 6,4m and 7.5m. I am thinking of getting a Fanatic Gecko 112 or RRD Firemove 112 + a couple more sails and fins etc.
I currently sail in inland reservoirs where wind conditions are patchy, gusty and swirly (not great). I would appreciate any tips as to sailing conditions and gear requirements for Lake Macquarie (Sail sizes, Fin sizes and general wind conditions and local club info.
Looking forward to wearing boardshorts instead of a wetsuit....
wolf,
you will find the lake macq crew will reply. they seem to be a pretty friendly bunch & sail at Canton beach
a lot which is good except for SE & there are preferred spots on the Lake for NE. I will leave them to go into
more detail.
Google "Canton beach seabreeze" & you should see a few posts with photos & vids.
You may need a weed fin.
It's now officially summer but don't store the wetsuit just yet, a 25 knot southerly will bring it out!
Thanks tomp, Looks like some long planing runs are to be had at Canton Beach. The best I get here is about 30 seconds before having to tack.
The weed fin sounds like a good idea. Retailers here will be having their post X'Mas sales and I know the guys at the two local shops, so should be able to get a good deal.
I will hang on to my wetsuits, which should keep me sailing through the colder months.
Hi Lonewolf , in a NE we mainly sail off coal point , bump and jump or you can sail over to swansea and we have a short speed strip at the sand islands.
Guys also sail at belmont slips , marmong pt and shingles splitters . Any descent Ne there will always be guys at coal point .
Best wind in a S is off Valentine but both these spots are a bit advanced in that the wind is blowing crosshore so if anything goes wrong you can get blown a long way down the lake. Marmong is onshore in a NE but doesn't get anywhere near the wind Coal does.
Arcadia Vale could be a good spot to launch in a NE ( I haven't sailed there for a while so not sure if there is a bit of a windshadow in close). Its would be good as the chop is more rollers ( sharper off Coal) and if anything goes wrong you won't end up too far away - not on the other side of the lake! It gets the NE but not quite as strong as Coal. I learnt there in the 80's ( or at Wangi scout hall across the water but now there are too many moored boats to avoid near the scout hall ). You could sail over to the scout hall area from Arcadia.
Apparently Rathmines is good in a S or SE more onshore and shallow too from what I've heard.
Guys, Thanks for pointing out the sailing locations. Looks fantastic!.
I once sailed (sail boat) on Lake Mac and can't remember encountering any weeds. So recently, I bought myself a Select S1 41cm slalom fin for the long runs that I am hoping to do. A weed fin like a True Ames - Surfgrass will undoubtedly come in handy.
I have used my 5.4m sail in F6 conditions and was overpowered for most of the session. Do you think that a 4.7m/4.9m might come in handy or will it be a waste of cash?
I am looking to get all of my kit over here as I can get a pretty good deal.
5.4 should be the smallest you would use here , i mostly am on 7.6 and then 6.6 and rarely on anything under that, No weed fin required in Lake macquarie
Marmong Point Sailing Club every Saturday 1.30 we race some come a bit earlier and have a chat to the friendly locals they will answer any questions.
As Greg has said mostly 7.6m and 6.6m weather but unreal place to sail lake Macquarie.
Select to expand quotefanatic02 said..
5.4 should be the smallest you would use here , i mostly am on 7.6 and then 6.6 and rarely on anything under that, No weed fin required in Lake macquarie
Likewise, I have sails from 4 to 7.7 and on the lake I'm generally on a 6.2 and above. If it's howling I generally use my 5.4 I'm only 77Kg too.
I have been using a weedie on the lake a bit this year ( because I have one.) Generally not needed but you can get days where there are // strips of floating weed which are a pain.
Winds often 10-20kts in a NE occasionally a black NE 25-30kts off Coal and 15 - 30kts for S's. Winter gales can be 5 - 4okts + and gusty as - go to Canton!They'll still be strong but flat water and waist deep H2o if you fall in..
Any suggestions or comments regarding my choice of 2nd board?
As stated above, I am planning to get a 112L Firemove or Gecko. At 72kg and an early/progressive intermediate sailor, would either of these boards be a good choice or am I better looking for a 102/105L in this category or perhaps should I be considering a FSW 95/100L for Lake Macquarie, bearing in mind that the higher volume "move" board is likely to replace my Rocket (not my intention).
