Departing Lake Macquarie

[Miker]

Ladies and Gents of the Lake Macquarie contingency. I'm planning to sail Dulcamara back to Sydney either 17th or 24th, depending on weather. At the moment it's looking a lot like the 24th.

What I need to figure out is when is the best time to depart? I see the channel runs pretty strongly inwards for up to two hours after high in the ocean. So would not really want to motor against that at it's fastest. I also don't want to have to anchor in the channel waiting for the bridge against an outgoing flow, if I'm early for the opening.

So, what are the opinions of the knowlegable? Leave just before the ebb of the high tide in the lake? Don't worry, just go when you're ready?

Enquiring minds would like to know!

Michael

[Dolphin]

Easy decision, don't go.

The water is slackest around mid tide, but changes quickly. its always best with a run in tide, you can stem the tide waiting for the brdge.
This Saturday seems to have 15kt westerlys, the perfect breeze for sailing up or down the coast.
Greg.

[Shaun]

Gday Michael,
On Blue Moon's exit from the lake....
I arrived at the courtesy moorings on the lake side of the bridge two hrs after low tide, the tide was still going out at a fair rate(i estimate 1.5 kts), the courtesy mooring furthest away from the bridge would be the easiest to pick up if you have a choice, otherwise there is plenty of room & water to jill around doing donuts waiting for the bridge, as greg said about 3 hrs after H or L would be about slack water. the marine rescue have no problems with you sitting on one of the courtesy moorings after you have gone through the bridge for the night as we did, Marine Rescue quote "thats what their there for". There are 3 courtesy moorings on ocean side.
We went across the bar the next morning at approx 4 hrs after low tide, (with 5m seas the day before) & the bar was totally flat or nearly flat not a problem at all when staying on the leads.
cheers
Shaun

[Miker]

Well, providing this southerly passes as predicted the departure is tomorrow.

We're driving up from Dee Why in a couple of hours and will overnight on the boat. If anyone sees this between now and 9pm, we'll be at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club prior to bedding down.

I checked with Marine Rescue and they said the channel is looking good, the tide will be about right up until 1000 and apart from possibly having to beat into a south swell and SE wind, I should be home by just after dark tomorrow night.

Thanks to Bear for fixing up my broken toe rail (see the story in Top Hat Voyages), it's a great testimony for a forum where you meet someone for the first time and they fix your boat for you while you're back in Sydney. Thanks Bear, also for the great advice.

Greg, thanks for your hospitality and advice on the Lake. We might have to make another trip up for Christmas, or Easter and see some more of the Lake.

I'll write up a report of ther return journey with photos when I can.

Michael