Hi guys,
I've been thinking getting a few of us together for a downwinder in Jervis Bay this summer.
Launching from: Huskisson Beach Tourist Resort. There's decent accommodation for those that will need to travel, a nice white sandy beach to launch from and a nice grassed area to to rig up on. huskissonbeach.holidayhaven.com.au
Sailing to: Either Hyams beach - which is 3.3 nM (as the crow flies) and there's a nice beach to recover to along with some decent food and drinks (parking can be difficult) www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/hyams-beach, or
Further down to Greenpatch where it is a beautiful spot but a bit of a drive, National Park fees and not much in the way of facilities down there. http://www.parksaustralia.gov.au/booderee/
Happy to be swayed either way by course of discussion on this forum.
Some safety considerations that I've thought of include:
Helmet
PFD
Sailing buddy that is of your similar sailing abilities that will need to be kept within a few hundred metres of each other
Set a 'call time' to Next of Kin
Water (camel back or similar)
Spare lengths of line for emergency harness / rigging
Vehicles at both locations - use of the buddy system
Minimum & maximum NE wind decisions to be agreed on prior to start (e.g. minimum 18 knots / maximum 25 knots (??))
*** Please note my aim is to keep this simple and not for it to flare up into a logistical nightmare!
I have enough of those in my work life!! ***
Let the discussions etc begin.
A few mates and I sailed huskisson to hyams back in 2000. Seemed reasonably easy but very fun. Safe because of the onshore wind with a NE. Felt like we deserved a few beers on arrival.
Another option... Instead of a downwinder, how about straight across? It is about 10km each way.
I've done husky to green patch solo on a whim...I was sailing off husky caravan park when some mates decided to hit green patch for a bbq...seemed like a shame to drive. The NE is reassuring...worst case scenario you sit on your board until you wash up on Hyams Beach. The middle of the bay can get quite lumpy but not choppy. I would have only done 7 or 8 gybes and was never uncomfortably far from shore. Watch out for sharks and frigates!
Thanks for the comments.
I'm glad to hear that it's been done a few times before and yeah, I fully agree the whole side - onshore aspect.
I've also always wanted to do a downwinder from Gerroa to Shoalhaven Heads too. Might need to get my windsurfing fitness up a bit before that one though...
Sorry if Im late posting here. Im new to jervis bay and interested in this type of sailing. Need something different to Sanctuary point. I the moment Im looking for guys who also sail outside of the salom speed sailing thing and where those guys sail and when(not wave sailing).
I too have had times where I want to get out in JB but the social aspect of Sanctuary Point just keeps on bringing me back. This is probably why the downwinder never eventuated last summer. Add to that the easy parking, hot showers and top notch burgers and coffees I'm finding it really difficult to sail anywhere else. Ok, the showers aren't always hot :-)
Tony Polony, I can report the showers in the ladies have a nice hot water supply, I think the Captain wrote to the Council for me
Select to expand quoteDezza said..
Tony Polony, I can report the showers in the ladies have a nice hot water supply, I think the Captain wrote to the Council for me
Keith got the council to do a lot of work.This is what is planned to be completed by summer.
Apart from a lot more parking and wider ramp,looks like they will be taking out the trees which protect our rigging area from the wind.Perhaps on the plus side we can do posers gybes closer to the crowd.
Tony ,what about a downwinder from Callala to Vincentia in a NE ... or the reverse in the next southerly.Alex ,Kye and I will be in on that.
Thanks for the chat guys. yes SP is defintely a great place to sail and socialise will always enjoy it. However Im looking to be a bit more adventurous. So next run you guys do I'm up for it, dose not have to be jb. Im good for any run a relish the chance to try, for me, new places to sail. If they start work at sp tomorrow. will need a new place to sail for the winter.
I like it as it is ! Don't change it. Next they will build a McDonalds and add parking meters on the premises ! Removing the trees is a pity, maybe the only beneficial effect will be a bit more breeze in Summer in the rigging area, that otherwise gets super hot.
PS: if you get yourself a formula board you will be able to come back upwind
Loving this thread. A coincidence because I've just gotten back into ws and started dreaming of a similar idea for JBay in a NE wind. Often visit to Sanctuary Point to see my folks and sail there, so naturally my thoughts have also turned to JBay...
George, thankfully down here the jet skiers keep their distance from us as there's always a lee from the wind for them to run amok! That's a positive! Besides, once you move down here you'll be a Gustbuster so parking is free in SP. This is by order of Captain Keef (who might I add is a bit of a big thing around these parts).
Arky, always keen for a downwinder mate. Communication is the key so whenever our planets align, let's do it. I'm sure there will be no shortage of others that want to join in on the fun. Jeez it's a shame to see those trees go - if that's what they're doing. By the looks of it on the plans, they'll be staying (along with the ant nests).
Dezza, do you think you can sweet talk Keefy into spreading his influence into the council putting in a fresh water tap on the southern side where we rig? I may have some new(wish) sails coming my way that I will need to continue with the TLC treatment that they're used to.
After doing the Ledge to Lanno earlier I'm very keen to have a long downwinder that is a little easier to get to! 
Select to expand quoteKA360 said..
Apart from a lot more parking......
It looks like your loosing car parking spots - I count 8 total, the rest will be reserved for cars with boat trailers - you may find you will get 'booked' for parking your car/van without boat trailer in those bays. I hope for you guys its not the case
Ask the guys that sail at Wello Point QLD how it worked out for them when they upgraded their boat ramp area.
