Sydney Harbour Sail - Feb 6 or 7

I'm batching it in Sydney on the weekend of 6-7 Feb, so what should I do? The answer is pretty obvious - take the AI sailing.

Float Plan:
ETD Woollahra Sailing Club Ramp - a very 09:00 (revised from 10:00)
Objective 1: Shelly Beach, Manly for lunch
Objective 2: Depending on wind and waves, head out 2NM for some whale watching on the way back.

What's your preferred date (Sat or Sun) and who wants to come along?

I've checked at work and can wriggle out of being on call both days. I'd slightly prefer Saturday but can do either if it suits.

There is a kiosk on the beach for lunch or if preferred we could to a BBQ.

Anyone know if the whales would still be about?

Edit: Might not be the best time for whales. Winter migration they are close to the shore....

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Well Saturday 6 Feb is it for an official AI gathering at Shelly Beach. Nevertheless, I will probably do it again on Sunday.

Le Kiosk at Shelly Beach is a bit upmarket, and I doubt that I will comply with their dress code after sailing there. Not sure what's available in terms of "take away". If they do fish & chips that'll do me.

We are extremely unlikely to find any whales off Sydney at the moment - they are too busy feeding their newborns in the tropics. Then they will be hooning down riding the EAC on the edge of the continental shelf.

[edit: Date change to Sunday 7 Feb for improved weather]

Nope, don't want up market. Nothing with tablecloths and fancy silverware for me
Pretty sure there's a takeway type place there. I'll do some more looking.

We got any "maybe's" who might want to come along?

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I can only come in spirit guys, pls take photos?

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Fair Skies, Max.

Hmm, Saturday is shaping up to be rather nasty. How about moving to Sunday?
Looks to less rain, tad warmer and less likely to be smashed by a strong southerly.

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As the weather outlook becomes clearer, it becomes obvious that Sunday if definitely the better option.


Conditions could not be better with 10-15kt easterlies and 2m swell predicted for Sunday.
Saturday's outlook seems to be more conducive to remaining on Port Jackson.

So Sunday is definitely the day for an AI fleet excursion to Shelly Beach. To ensure that everyone gets back in reasonable time,the launch time has been moved forward to 9:00am.

PS. Det will also be sailing out of WSC on Saturday.

Sounds good to me. I should be at WSC about 0800 Sunday.

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Seabreeze is changing its view of what the winds are likely to be doing on the weekend. Sunday is still our best option for the Shelly Beach trip, however, looks like we will be doing a bit of peddling to get there

but the outlook is for favorable ENEster for the trip home.

The light breeze should make for a delightful roller coaster ride on 2m swell.

For latest update: http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/nsw.asp

I've been watching this the last few days. Was up to 20kts the other day but has calmed down. Looks like similar conditions to last time I poked my nose out the heads.

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Latest outlook from Seabreeze appears pretty dismal. More heavy rain as for today, and no significant wind:


I will turn up at WSC in the morning in any case, but we might not bother launching ;-(

I'm thinking it might be a rather dismal day. Might pay to let things settle down.

I'll have a look early in the morning and decide.

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Guess what - it actually happened, but we did not quite make it to Shelly Beach - that challenge is still open. For the full story, check my post on the Trips Around Sydney.

How the weather ended up:


Where we went:


Trip Log:
Trip distance: 17.1 NM
Max Speed: 10.2 kts
Moving Average: 3.5 kts
Time moving: 4 hrs 53 min
Time stopped: 2 hrs 9 min

okzOOk,
Looks like you all put on quite a few miles. I have a feeling it will be another great read.

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Fly'n C Lion

Ended up being a good day out. We could call it Search for Coffee though...

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