After any advice/thoughts on the crossing from Southport to Yamba on our 46 foot catamaran, we've never done the trip so if anyone has any local knowledge or handy tips it would greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Like most trips outside, the big thing is the weather window. Getting out of the Gold Coast should not present many problems, however Yamba has a bit of a reputation for being nasty if the wind and/or swell is up. Or the river is running out after heavy rain.
In my 31' mono, we have done the trip motor sailing in just over 15 hours, but I would expect your cat would do better than our 6 knot average. My preference is to arrive there first thing in the morning before high tide. I have been (very) lucky with a total glass out conditions when crossing in the early morning.
There are not many places to hide on the way there, the next safe port is Coffs, or hiding behind North Solitary (there are moorings there). If Yamba is nasty, Ballina tends to be worse.
Take your time to pick the right time to go and have a plan B.
There's a bit of a fresh in the Clarence at present, so expect it to flowing out even in the 2nd half of a rising tide.
Yep for now looking a bit ordinary so stay put.
How do I know?
Look here but you will have to look real hard as this is one of the worst bar cams [really should say River Cam!] in NSW.
Also check the Ballina bar to get some idea of the swell, but don't go in there as you may get trapped for some time.
www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/using-waterways/web-cameras/iluka-yamba.html
I [25' Top Hat] usually leave between 1200 to 1500 hours from Bums Bay. Can be slow until you reach off Tweed.
Trick is to head south out wide for up to 5 knot south current and be real close in heading north to get the north going counter currents.
Thanks for the advice guys it's much appreciated! We're in no rush so we're going to wait until the weather is just right, no need to rush these things!
Try to arrive at Yamba in daylight and while the tower is operating. That generally means leaving Southport in the dark or absolute first light in the right conditions (following wind and a fast boat).
It took us between 12 to 16 hours to do the trip with a NE'er; using the East Coast Current and the engine to maintain close to hull speed in a 35 ft'er (and the waves to go faster when the wind came up).
The navigation lights approaching Yamba are very confusing at night., especially if you're not familiar with them. There are so many blue lead light flashing at you from seaward, it is hard to pick the right leads to get you into the entrance safely, especially under pressure.
In any case, the best path in is not lining up the center of the channel from seaward. As the maps will show, the bar is actually an arch of shallower water about (guessing) 150 meters to seaward of the end of the rock walls. So the path in is to come from the North and effectively 'round' the northern rock wall - making sure you stay far enough off that a rogue wave won't take you on it.
All of this is a lot easier to judge in daylight - even if it is getting close to dusk.
A chart plotter is invaluable for helping you, but it is best as a supplement to the Mark 1 eyeball backed by enough light for it to be useful
I sailed north from Yamba to Ballina last saturday leaving on the top of the tide 0900 and arriving at ballina at 16:30 crossing about 1 hour after low.
some small breakers crossing into ballina, but traversed in the deep water with no water splashing on deck.
sailed pretty much all the way with ESE winds at 10-12 knots.
Timing of these bars is everything. my plan was to hove to off ballina and wait if the bar had been worse - by 19:00 it was dead flat.
These bars require caution, good seamanship and timing with a backup plan.
both the richmond and clarence rivers are beautiul and worth a visit if transiting the coast.
agree the bar cams could be improved a lot.
Select to expand quotesantanasaga said..
agree the bar cams could be improved a lot.
Working on that, just awaiting a meeting date with the RMS Minister. 
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..santanasaga said..
agree the bar cams could be improved a lot.
Working on that, just awaiting a meeting date with the RMS Minister.
Good luck with that
. Could you throw in 17A as well?
Select to expand quoteUncleBob said..nswsailor said..santanasaga said..
agree the bar cams could be improved a lot.
Working on that, just awaiting a meeting date with the RMS Minister.
Good luck with that. Could you throw in 17A as well?
Yep doing all of that as I said just waiting for my local MP to organise a meeting
