Thanks for the tips guys - sorry for the delay in reporting back - been hammered by the man lately and just come up for air


Can't really report much unfortunately as I was not blessed with wind - forecast looked OK but it just didn't eventuate - I did learn however:
- easy launch from Cateye beach on Hamilton which I understand is the main beach not far from the harbour;
- wind is sketchie though as it comes around the top of the island - was difficult to read and particularly up and down, blasting along fine and just when you get out into the channel a bit backs off to not much;
- whitehaven is, of course, just gorgeous. bottom end is the go as suggested by JB - the boat that took us over put my mate and me in a tender and took us down there - just not enough wind unfortunately - was spewin!
- whitehaven is a little thin at high tide so probably best to take a mate as self launch could get a bit hairy unless you're all over it.
Alas - thanks for the tips guys.