I'm heading up to Salamander Bay for the weekend and looking at the forecast will def be taking my gear. Where is the best place to launch from in the area in a Southerly? I've been out at Fingal Bay before in one but am just wondering if there is anywhere else that doesn't suffer from the big shadow that afflicts southerlies in the main Bay area?

tomp said...



the Bay is quite well known for sharks if that bothers you so prob the trip to Hawks Nest is a safer bet!

It's still the same stretch of water ???

Given it's a 1 hr 30 min drive around or a 8 minute drive to Shoal Bay... I know which one I'd be doing

You can also launch from Dutchies Beach... bit of a dog out past the headland/wind shadow but as soon as you in line with the boats/moorings you can blast out across the Bay and over the sand banks (tide dependent)

If you're after flat water speed sailing, bear off and then hug the western side of the sand bar.
If you're after some bump and jump point high at launch and hit the lumps as they roll over and break on the sand bars.

The spit at Fingal can be a seriously great wave in a south, south easter.
Just watch for the tide and back yourself in for a bit of a paddle/swim if you break something... or just drift down and come in at Zenith

Drop me a PM if you're keen to try and catch up on the water across the weekend

Some researches tags some sharks and found out that;
sharks can swim!
they can swim quite well!

so you can assume they could swim as far as Jimmys beach, Hawks Nest and other places i guess

Thanks Kev and Dave. I think I'll head to your spot Dave as it's nice and close to where we are staying. I've sailed off Bagnalls plenty of times but only in a westerly and Nor Easters. I always thought southerlies just were crap cause of the wind shadow.
Kev I'm up from tomorrow evening till Sunday lunch so I'll shoot you a pm with my mobile and let you know where I'll be and when if you're around. Will be good to put a face to the name.
Tomp, no offence, but if you think I'm going to drive all the way around to Hawks Nest just so I can sail from there you have to be kidding. I may as well drive back to Sydney and sail in B Bay. Same amount of time to get there!