Hi all,
Back on the boards after a couple of year long hiatus, thanks to a new arrival to my family. We've also moved up to Newcastle in the last couple of months.
Keen to know if anyone can recommend any good launching spots, not wave more slalom / bump and jump style stuff.
Any good places on Lake Macquarie? Or is it better to drive up to Port stephens?
Appreciate any advice.
Cheers,
Adam
Hey bud, a couple of us went upto Hawks nest< jimmys beach. Excellent spot with the longest runs you could ask for, not sure what the water condition would be like though.
was at Jimmys over easter, super spot the water was pretty average near the creek exit. last Xmas we sailed out from nelson bay and it was super!
Used to sail a bit at Shingle Splitters on Lake Mac. excellent for flat water / bump & jump in the Nor easters. 
Thanks for the info, definitely going to try hawks nest / Jimmys beach.
Where abouts on lake Mac is Shingle Splitters? Can't find it on the map?
Lake Mac spots are, Valintine pt for southerly wind. Coal pt or Belmont Bay for northeast wind, Marmong pt for westerly wind. There is normally a few sailors at these spots on a windy day.
MA spots are right on Adam
Marmong has the formula racing on a Saturday arv and it does work in a Soueaster as well
Coal Point and Shingle splitters (access by Morisset peninsula, follow signs to Balcolyn) are the best in a NE and have large grassed areas for rigging. Coal Pt also has the benefit of sailing behind the old airport (belmont) in smooth to super smooth FLAT water - great for gybing practice
On the southern end of the lake - Bardens bay / Sugar bay on the Morisset peninsula for a NEaster and Morisset Park / mental hospital site in a Swester - bit weedy at the launch
Shingle splitters will work in a westerly - but i have never done it
Another option is both the harbour entrance (Newie) and channel (Swansea) - havent sailed their recently but both are good for bump and jump
Thanks for all the info guys, really helpful.
Will definitely be checking them out over the coming months ... wind premitting!
Ben when you say the harbour entrance in Newcastle do you mean Horeshoe beach?
Yes Horseshoe - mind the dog poo - its easier to rig up on the grass areas up in the foreshore park
Shingle splitters is a bit gusty in a westerly but if you tack upwind into Bonnells Bay it is nice and flat.
Pic taken of me about 7 years ago with Eraring power station in the back ground.
Also in a NE you can launch from Pendlebury Park at Bonnells Bay and tack right up to Pulbah Island and further if you want then its a nice downwind ride back.
Have sailed this area for 26 years and it is only a 5 min drive to sail in any direction.
In the mid 80s you could get 20-30 sailors out at Shingles in a NE.
Cheers
good to see your still ripping Dean
I found a photo of Harry Hayward (jnr) and myself sailing of his place the other day....aah memories
Is Coal Point better in a particular tide and ideally what is the best direction for it? NE or Southerly/SE?
The depth of the water right across the lake means tide is barely an issue
Coal Pt is definitely the better in a NE. It can be sailed in a southerly as well, but in a soueaster you are better to go down the southern side of the point to the small reserve below the school and sailing over towards Rathmines
Similiar to Donk in the late eighties /early nineties it was usual for 20-30 people to be out at CoalPt and still have heaps of room.
Adam,
good to see a new sailor in Newcastle. there are plenty of us around - formula racing as mentioned at Marmong Point Sailing Club (George St) on a saturday usually has at least 10 people.
In a southerly Marmong works well, although perhaps better to drive around to Valentine or The Slips (near Belmont 16 ft sailing club). Really depends where you live as to how far you want to drive.
Looks like this weekend will be a crazy westerly, so there will be plenty of people sailing off the tip of Marmong Point (from the park just near the Marina).
Hope to see you out there!
James
