Sailing The Rip into Port Philip Victoria

[Rustic Charm]

Looking at the tides around then, I think we will make for Flinders to pick up a mooring and catch up on sleep. As we will come into Flinders of an evening. Then the next day we will pop around and be ready for about a 1pm flood.

[lockie]

Flinders can be horribly rolly as the waves refract around the point - I've had a couple of epic bad sleeps there! Depending on wind direction it might be worth putting out a stern anchor to keep you into the waves. Of course, you'll have to watch out for other boats' swing room.

Cheers, Graeme

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by lockie

Flinders can be horribly rolly as the waves refract around the point - I've had a couple of epic bad sleeps there! Depending on wind direction it might be worth putting out a stern anchor to keep you into the waves. Of course, you'll have to watch out for other boats' swing room.

Cheers, Graeme

the last time I popped into Flinders (and then up into Hastings) we had a dream run. There were a few empty moorings to tie up to. My girls a ketch too so the mizzen if needed will help.

[lockie]

You could consider Cleeland Bight (San Remo) for a better chance at a smooth sleep.

Cheers, Graeme

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by lockie

You could consider Cleeland Bight (San Remo) for a better chance at a smooth sleep.

Cheers, Graeme

Thanks Graeme, I did consider a route to San Remo, but I decided it was too far from the heads given we won't be going through the heads till sometime in the afternoon.

Once I'm through I'll anchor or pick up a mooring somewhere for the night before heading off to Melbourne so I don't have to navigate a busy and unfamiliar area in the dark.

[dirkdig]

There are free public moorings at Sorrento and in the Queenscliff bight just past the marina.
Plenty of tide at both spots. Queenscliff has 2 that are very sheltered.


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[dirkdig]

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/ass...n-Moorings.pdf




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[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/ass...n-Moorings.pdf




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Queenscliff looks ideal. When you say just past the marina, do you mean just past on the way 'in' North of the Marina. The pdf is good but they made the stamp too big.

[dirkdig]

Right where i dropped the pin there are 2.
Be prepared to grab the rope form the mooring which is quite thick as the tide can really run.
Great spot though.


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[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Right where i dropped the pin there are 2.
Be prepared to grab the rope form the mooring which is quite thick as the tide can really run.
Great spot though.Attachment 107435


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I'm glad I asked where, because they are no where near where I was thinking. Lol.

Weather is looking good for a next Sunday or Monday departure from here.

[dirkdig]

No worries,have a great trip.


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[hoppy]

Another thing to watch out for when going through the Rip

This was posted today on the Searoads ferries FB page. It seems they are having a few sighting at the moment




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[El Pinguino]

If the weather is good ..ie wind out of NNW round to South... and you have enough day light you can run up into the Coles Channel and anchor south of St Leonards and west of the Coles Channel leads in good holding and flat water. Avoid in N through E though.
Years since I stopped there but St Leonards was always a favourite short stay for me if going to or from Geelong to the Rip.

[El Pinguino]

A piccie to help.... the blue line gives a rough idea of where I mean. ( ignore the blue 'dot'.)

[Andrew G]

Sorry I've been missing in action (on a boat) for a while. Some points:
- yes Lonsdale Light is no longer staffed (Lonsdale VTS is now in Melbourne)
- I disagree with El P about his aversion to the Eastern route, I'm not aware of any deaths off cruising yachts on the Eastern route (plenty of surfers, army commandos and commercial ship-wrecks 50+ years ago, plus a pilot vessel inside the heads - not on the eastern leads). The pilot boats use the fishermans' channel largely because their base is west of the heads (Queenscliff marina) and it leads them strait to the pilot boarding area. They are shoal draft and have power that we don't. The western side has more kelp to wrap around the prop. The rough water is in between the east and west routes - both avoid the worst of it.
- there can be quite rough water several miles south of the heads, the eastern route avoids this whereas you may have to travel 3 or more miles SW of the heads to avoid it before turning to the east (not a problem if heading west)
- I'm saying that either route is OK IN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS of tide and wind - both can be very bad if not
- if I were coming or going west of the heads I would use the Four Fingers West, if the east I'd use the eastern leads
- the two moorings in Queenscliff may be too shallow for a deep keeler, the marina is OK but not cheap and the Queenscliff Crusing Yacht Club (50m NE of the moorings has a timber whaling in total shelter)
- there are courtesy moorings just east of the Sorrento pier
- Blairgowrie further to the east has a marina (undergoing expansion at present)
- yes there is some tidal effect to the east of the heads (several miles to sea too) and you can use that to good advantage if you time your entry/exit to be at the right slack water
- re Flinders it really can be rolly (or calm), another option in the right conditions may be Cowes (courtesy moorings just west of the pier or better holding to its east). McHafie Reef can cut up really rough on a full ebb tide, particularly into a S-SW sea.
Have a good trip,
Andrew