advice on 1st trip to Rottness Island

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> 10 years ago

Shooting the breeze.

Kevvy1210

3 posts

Kevvy1210

3 posts

24 May 2013 4:57pm

Got a question,

Ive recently bought my 1st boat and want some advice on heading to Rottness Its an 18ft bowrider with a 135hp inboard licenced for 8 people (will only be taking 4 people max)

we have all the appropriate saftey gear/equipment but not sure if the boat is up to the job etc

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

P.s dont bother with cheeky sarcastic comments please, like i say im new to owning a boat and im looking for genuine help and advice before i potentially put my family at risk.

Thanks

Woodo

792 posts

Woodo

WA, 792 posts

24 May 2013 5:20pm

Do a few trips in the river first. Get to know how your boat handles and how everything works.
Once you are comfortable with that then do a few ocean trips. (not to Rotto)
Make sure you fully understand all markers on the water. Cardinal markers, dangerous water markers, etc etc etc.
Look at how to get in and out of Rotto. It's not as easy as just rocking up to the beach there. Plenty of reefs ready to do severe damage or worse...
Pick your days or weekends. Don't risk it if it's rough or swelly and you don't feel comfortable.
I'd probably just go over with 1 mate on a trial trip before i loaded up the family and headed off.

Enjoy your 1st boat mate. They are great fun.
Just make sure you learn all the rules and common courtesies of boating. There's a lot of F wits out there who try to spoil it.

sameh

310 posts

sameh

WA, 310 posts

24 May 2013 5:23pm

register your radio, and let sea rescue know your intentions before you head off. Pick a very very calm day with predicted low winds. follow the Rottnest ferry into the bay. Better still follow someone who is experienced, or wait till the Rottnest convoy. Are you launching from hillarys, Cockburn or Fremantle. The shortest path is via Fremantle or cockburn. Carry enough fuel!! really the best advice is go with someone who is experienced in getting there already. On a calm day it can be a very easy trip till you get to the island itself, once there you need to know your marine markers, as it is very easy to end up on a reef. On a choppy or windy day with swell running it can be very dangerous. This weekend there will be the remnants of a fair swell till sunday so maybe not a good idea for a newbie.

Zuke

901 posts

Zuke

901 posts

24 May 2013 5:35pm

Agree with the above but really get to know your boat well before doing a Rotto trip with the family. Get comfortable with the boat in messy conditions, all boats are different, some are better or worse in following seas etc. Learn your boats traits and be confident with it.

Rotto and its many bays really is a minefield of reef. When you do go for the first time make it a sunny day, you will see the reef much easier and don't rely on a GPS for navigating close to reef, use your eyes.

Good luck.

Stuthepirate

3591 posts

Stuthepirate

SA, 3591 posts

24 May 2013 9:07pm

Agreed, get to know the boat and get used to it in conditions that test you.
Try it out in enclosed waters ie Peel inlet or the river, then into cockburn or warnbro sound.
Trips out to Carnac and Garden Island are a lot less frought with danger.
The water police/marine and harbours/volunteer sea rescue do an escort/convoy to rottnest island for the purpose of getting to know the reef passages and markers around the island.

juicerider

790 posts

juicerider

WA, 790 posts

24 May 2013 7:52pm

Good advice so far. Just adding that a bowrider is probably not the best boat to go to Rotto on, but pick a calm, day don't have anyone up the front take it easy, and you will be Ok. Most of the bays have lead in markers, know your cardinal markers, study the charts for Rotto and you should be fine.

Kevvy1210

3 posts

Kevvy1210

3 posts

25 May 2013 8:54am

Thanks for the advice folks, its much appreciated.

Think ill try a couple of runs on a calm day with a mate thats done it before i attempt it with the family.

Ill stick to the river for the time being untill im more confident in handling it.

Cheers

jbshack

6913 posts

jbshack

WA, 6913 posts

25 May 2013 12:09pm

Kevvy1210 said..

Thanks for the advice folks, its much appreciated.

Think ill try a couple of runs on a calm day with a mate thats done it before i attempt it with the family.

Ill stick to the river for the time being untill im more confident in handling it.

Cheers

Its obviously a US bowrider and generally the seat position is a little lower. Meaning you tend to have to sit to drive. A decent cushion under you to raise your hips well above your knee level will make a big difference to comfort for you..Hope that makes sense

e0422713

975 posts

e0422713

WA, 975 posts

25 May 2013 12:41pm

can come out with you i amon long service leave luke 0412317040 sms

would like to help lauching or just for confidence it wont take long LUKE

dusta

2940 posts

dusta

WA, 2940 posts

26 May 2013 9:29am

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/General-Discussion/Chat/Boat-to-Rottnest/?SearchTerms=rottnest

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