Great Sandy Straits in a deep draft monohull

[RaymondR]

So instead of Yachtjuno spending a couple of nice days cruising down through the Straits with a stop at Kingfisher for a coffee or beer and a couple of nights at good anchorages with fantastic evening vistas and interesting legs down past the various islands they got to spend a couple of days in an industrial port and a boring round about offshore leg instead.

Thanks naysayers.

[44'cruisingcat]

Crossed the Wide Bay Bar yesterday. Northerly winds, so an easy crossing. Shallowest depth was 7 metres. Didn't stick religiously to the waypoints though, just used eyeballs to find the smooth water.


The leads-inline have been altered since last time we were there. Look to be better set up now.

[stillbuilding]

Two days of nervously scanning for beacons thru the strait and then MAYBE a good crossing of the bar seems like much harder work than an open sea run- provided the wind is from the right direction. For me.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forums lily hhrn

[Mirage Gecko]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

Two days of nervously scanning for beacons thru the strait and then MAYBE a good crossing of the bar seems like much harder work than an open sea run- provided the wind is from the right direction. For me.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forums lily hhrn

And that maybe is one reason why SOME do it but most go via the straights and enjoy another very varied area to cruise as opposed to nervously scanning the dark waters and instruments doing an overnighter or two needlessly.

[Jim Cate]

Have I got this right? A cruiser who does not go through GSS with a deep draft yacht is telling we who do go through (repeatedly) that we shouldn't??

Odd, that...

Jim

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

Two days of nervously scanning for beacons thru the strait and then MAYBE a good crossing of the bar seems like much harder work than an open sea run- provided the wind is from the right direction. For me.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forums lily hhrn

It's not that hard. It's really easy in fact. And it only takes a few hours to run the Sandy Straits from one end to the other. If you decide to miss out on some of the really nice anchorages, with good fishing/crabbing, and sightseeing opportunities on the way.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Have I got this right? A cruiser who does not go through GSS with a deep draft yacht is telling we who do go through (repeatedly) that we shouldn't??

Odd, that...

Jim

Welcome to Cruisersforum Jim!

[Mirage Gecko]

Do Mono users in general worry more about the comparative depth of water below their keels than Multi users?
What I mean is both 44C and I have been thru GSS recently and recorded very similar minimum depths say 3.4 .That gave me about 2.2 clearance and I guess given what little I know of their boats construction 44C more than that.It would have given the OP .7 clearance based on his info given .Obviously different tides and times would give variations.
With care we find ourselves comfortably anchoring and moving through water with far less clearance than the above especially if I know the area .For example we have anchored many times with only .2 clearance below the mini keels at low tide and have driven the boat to that point at low tide.We do however have good knowledge of the shape of our boat below the waterline and how much water is required to keep it floating as we often put it on the bottom to give it a wipe ,check drives etc.

[stillbuilding]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Have I got this right? A cruiser who does not go through GSS with a deep draft yacht is telling we who do go through (repeatedly) that we shouldn't??

Odd, that...

Jim

Nothing in my post would suggest what you should or should not do. 😃

Just "for me" the business of beacon hunting with a "maybe ok, maybe not" bar crossing at the bottom ain't worth the hassle if you want to get from A to B quickly as did the OP.


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[0urh]

[ATTACH]


What happens when you anchor in GSS, Garry's Anchorage. You may be staying a little longer than expected

[JPA Cate]

Okay, Ourh, tell it all! How came the vessel picture to come aground? Lack of forethought? failure to consult tide tables?

Engaged in lifesaving operations off camera?

Cheers, mate

[clownfishsydney]

The boat shown is wrong side of the channel markers so presumably it was done deliberately. Hard to run aground in that location I reckon.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Mirage Gecko

Do Mono users in general worry more about the comparative depth of water below their keels than Multi users?

It would vary, obviously. But from the people I've met, I'd say yes, they do. When we're talking about anchorages with our friends on mono's that's always the first question - would there be enough depth for us there?

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

It would vary, obviously. But from the people I've met, I'd say yes, they do. When we're talking about anchorages with our friends on mono's that's always the first question - would there be enough depth for us there?

Boy, you got that right! If we want to rendezvous with our catamaran friends, they have to come to us! or be anchored in deeper water than they actually require. We'd be keel dragging big time, otherwise.

But, we don't WORRY about depth, just take it into consideration. What it is, I think, is that it is the depths of concern for you guys just occur closer to shore!

Cheers,

Ann

[0urh]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Okay, Ourh, tell it all! How came the vessel picture to come aground? Lack of forethought? failure to consult tide tables?

Engaged in lifesaving operations off camera?

Monohulls laying on their side is quite a common occurrence in GSS. Tidal movements can be in excess of 3 metres.

Of course is doesn't matter where you anchor if you have a Cat