Lizard Island timing

[njwilliams449]

When is the best time to hit Lizard Island, or more particularly to sail back south? We plan to sail north from Sydney again next year, in two week blocks from the beginning of May. We should be able to be at Lizard comfortably enough by mid-June or mid-July. Conventional wisdom seems to be to go to Lizard in September in the hope of getting some northerlies back. The BOM wind roses suggest that other than a 20% chance of an afternoon nor'easter in October, the SE trades are as unrelenting in September/October as they are in July. Is there much difference if we sail quickly north, then pick our way back down in July/August/September through such sailable weather windows as we can find, hiding out and exploring ashore around anchorages down the coast when it really blows? Based on the roses, we could wait until October and then be forced to bash our way south anyway, with much more limited time to do it. Any advice appreciated.

[JPA Cate]

njwillliams449,

How we have done it is to head out east when the NE sea breezes are expected, then, as they fill, make the course to your planned anchorage. Up there, there is a lot of east in your courses, and you just do the best you can, to take advantage of what the weather gods give you. Be crafty with the use of your spinnaker, too, it may give you some lovely day sails. The most important thing is to be disciplined about hopping on any real northerlies (proper synoptic flow, not just sea breezes) you get, and make as much distance on them as you can, this means you may cancel dinner dates, and various behaviors that landlubbers might find peculiar, and make letting the weather rule your lives happen.

That is all based on sailing. The other option is murdering dinosaurs, or a motor-sailing plan could also work.

Ann

[44'cruisingcat]

We've had good sails south leaving mid to late October. Every year is different though.

[daletournier]

I agree with the above, it depends on the year. In 2010 i waited and waited....

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by daletournier

I agree with the above, it depends on the year. In 2010 i waited and waited....

Still there ?

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Still there ?

Lol..nope. The closet thing i got to a southerly window late that year was abit more east in the southeast and a drop to about 15k. My last boat didnt point that great therefore motorsailed most of the way south, we got a 24hr northerly between the Percys and kepple, that was it for that year.