I am planing to sail a catamaran from Newcastle to Scarborough (Moreton bay) in a few weeks. I am a salty sailor, although I don't have too many local experience. I would appreciate any advice. Please, if you have done this trip at this time of the year before or have useful knowledge about it let me know.
Thanks for the answers in advance.
Cheers,
Vaz
This time of year it will be Southeasterly or northerly. Wait for a southeasterly front to come through and ride it all the way. We did the same trip and had no wind from Pitwater to Port Macquarie and had to motor, then 30kn north easterly to Coffs Harbour, not much fun. Stayed in Coffs for 24 hours to wait for the Southeasterly to come in then did Coffs Harbour to Scarborough in 26 hours. We were sailing a 57' Hanse mono.
I assume your planning to go through the southport seaway (goldcoast bar)? Then up through the bay to scarborough.
As Jode5 said you would want a south easterly. Normal bar crossing procesdures for the southport bar. It is a pretty tame bar but does crank when its windy (although it should be treated with the same respect as any bar crossing).
Seeing as your on a cat, draught (draft?) Shouldnt be a problem for you. Its a winedy passage with lots of trafffic up through south straddie to russell island. I would personally motor from south stradbroke to russell but that is your decision.
Good luck with your trip, stay safe.
