I have been watching the winter westerlies over the last few years - NSW gets quite a few of them, sometimes the westerly pattern makes it all the way up the coast. This year there is an East Coast Low forming over central NSW, looking like some strong wind on Wednesday 2nd July.
When I watch the pressure distribution, it appears that Brisbane in particular seems to have stronger wind, but not south at Gold Coast or north at Sunshine Coast or further north. This appears to be due a mountain formation somewhere further inland. Is my observation accurate ?
Depending on the direction-of-flow of the wind, I would typically try Wellington Point in a Westerly or NW'er, Sandstone Point / Bribie Island in a SW'er - both good flat'ish water blasting. I did try Woody Point just recently but found it to be extremely gusty and shifty. Are there other sailable locations in a Westerly in the Brisbane / GC / SC region ?
Is Wellington Point the go for this Wednesday ?
Yep. You are correct. Wello pumps in westerlies and is by far the best place I've sailed with that wind direction
Also note that typically early in the day is better. By lunch the wind has eased in most situations. Back when we had a healthy crew at wello we called it the winter wonderland. People would go early and finish with breakfast in the cafe.
Anything with west wello is the go-to. nw, sw, w etc . Because of this the Goldy crew also used to do the drive. Was a good catch-up for everyone.
Only other place that's half decent in a sw is Caloundra bar. Assuming the new bar will be better with improved fetch. Problem with Caloundra in a sw is sometimes the wind doesn't push that far north so it can be hit and miss.
It's been years since we've had good ecl off NSW so fingers crossed for July August. The water temp is also super cold this year and I am hoping that we will get stronger seabreezes in spring.
Pelican park near woody point is not bad either!
Work getting in the way for me though!
Select to expand quotespanishwog said..
Pelican park near woody point is not bad either!
Work getting in the way for me though!
Only in a SW, has a wind shadow in a westerly.
My partner and I got out at Wello - as did some others, and some kitesurfers. Was over 30kn most of the time, with the odd gust to 38kn.
Sailed on 70l waveboard with a 3.7m all day - was a few lulls for a few minutes, otherwise was fully lit most of the time ... and was swatted twice in the big gusts. My partner was on a 3.3m got swatted more. The water state was quite choppy - a freewave board was the best choice.
Some boats lost there anchor-hold - a construction barge, and someones sailboat both ended up on the Wello shoreline.
Glynn Merritt posted a summary.
www.facebook.com/reel/4308134612741296
Select to expand quotestarboarder said..
the forecasts are just not as reliable anymore
Westerlies aren't reliable at the best of times. They tend to blow stronger in the mornings and die in the afternoon, opposite to summer seabreezes.
Select to expand quoteairsail said..starboarder said..
the forecasts are just not as reliable anymore
Westerlies aren't reliable at the best of times. They tend to blow stronger in the mornings and die in the afternoon, opposite to summer seabreezes.
I am saying all year round....
Just had a good free wave session at Wello with a. 5.0 in the westerly's. Been a while, usually sail at Manly as I live closer. Friendly bunch of sailors, great to catch up 
Follow up post for Sunday 3rd August.
Got a good sail at Sandstone Point. Wind was SW, water was reasonably flat, wind was good. Was good on a ~5m, then moved down 4.0m
Its a good location for a SW-Southerly (not good in a Westerly). Low-tide can be a bit too shallow near the shore - best from mid-tide onwards with 4-7ft depth in most places. I would consider the location is reasonable safe - worst case downwind is Bribie Island (and a very long walk back).
Select to expand quotebowsa said..
Try Margate / woody point
by far the nicest westerly spot
Went to Clontarf - very very gusty - the wind flows through the bridge pylons. If the wind shifts to dead-west, it drops off significantly. If it was a true SW'er it would be cross-shore, but with more west in the direction, the sailing is now offshore direction.... which doesn't seem to be a great idea.
Woody Point would be less gusty due to the fetch. A bit concerning that there isn't a safe exit strategy.
Where do I launch when at Woody Point ?
Select to expand quotemathew said..bowsa said..
Try Margate / woody point
by far the nicest westerly spot
Went to Clontarf - very very gusty - the wind flows through the bridge pylons. If the wind shifts to dead-west, it drops off significantly. If it was a true SW'er it would be cross-shore, but with more west in the direction, the sailing is now offshore direction.... which doesn't seem to be a great idea.
Woody Point would be less gusty due to the fetch. A bit concerning that there isn't a safe exit strategy.
Where do I launch when at Woody Point ?
Westerlies are always gusty and the bridge is too far away for it to cause any disturbance.
Woody is a more of a westerly location, almost dead onshore in a southwest. Launch from the yacht club boat ramp, booties recommend as it's rocky and not really any good at low tide. The westerly is even more gusty than the southwest.
Hopefully the westerlies are finished and we have transitioned to the spring seabreezes.
