jev7337 said..
Guys,
What's the max draft you can have to enter the lagoon.
I heard a few different stories from 1.8m to 3m. Has anyone got some reliable information or experience on that?

Hi Jev,

It depends where you want to moor and what the availability is. There are some moorings for 3m+ draft at both erscotts and north passage. If you wish to get into the lagoon (where it is slightly more comfortable in a westerly) then you will be limited to a high tide entry/exit and about 2m draft. Do not attempt entry without guidance. once a westerly is set in they will send you around the island. Everyone on the island monitors VHF ch12.

if not constrained by your draft then you can be placed in comets hole.

When Santana was there this time last year, the moorings were in a state of disrepair. We partially broke a mooring at 3am and bounced on the reef for an hour at low tide. (lucky for strong full keel!)

Check all fittings and take shackle your anchor chain to the mooring base (this is what saved us) - and that was only in 40 knots (pretty common out there).

We also anchored off the eastern side of the island which was very cosy, but relatively deep water (20-25m) (good surf break just a short paddle away).

On another trip to the howe we got stuck inside comets hole with a high pressure system over us and neap tides - for an extra 2 or 3 days. The island trader was also not able to get into the lagoon due to the same conditions and was anchored off. lovely weather though!

for details and approx mooring pricing see:

www.noonsite.com/place/australia/new-south-wales/lord-howe-island/

I love lord howe and will be back again, but the trip over and back can be brutal and you will need to expect all weather whilst there as well. The rewards are well worth it, flora, fauna, hiking, surfing, exploring, climbing, kiting, fishing, diving ... all exceptionally good. take everything you need though as it is pretty pricey for stores.

I would leave at least 3 weeks for the trip which should leave nearly 2 weeks to enjoy the island and allow some flexibility with weather windows.

I might have to get back there again next year...

Santanasaga has it. I have 1.9 metres and will be going into Comets Hole. I can also do North Passage and South Passage, which is actually in the ocean and can take deep draft boats.
There are no moorings on the west side, it is anchor only.

Sweetchariot, were you in the lagoon or off Neds Beach during the blow?

MorningBird said..
Sweetchariot, were you in the lagoon or off Neds Beach during the blow?

In the lagoon. Have a read of my blog at www.sweetchariot.blog.com and you will get a feeling of the conditions we sustained. Steve

Good blog Sweetchariot. Did you have any self steering, a Fleming etc?
We are planning on 3 1/2 (5kts) to 4 1/2 (4 kts) days to get there from Barrenjoey. Depending on the wind and current we will probably head up to Port Stephens coastal and then out. It is only 13nm longer, will avoid battling the EAC and maybe get us in the eddy towards Lord Howe.
Hopefully we won't have he sustained blow you had. You have to expect some strong nor easters but an east coast low would be real untidy.

Hey Sweetchariot, thanks for sharing your blog. A good reality check. Do you know what the safety requirements for the boat tender are when in the LHI lagoon. Being from Qld I'm not up to speed on the NSW requirements and thought you may be able to enlighten me.

Sweetchariot said..

Crusoe said..
Hey Sweetchariot, thanks for sharing your blog. A good reality check. Do you know what the safety requirements for the boat tender are when in the LHI lagoon. Being from Qld I'm not up to speed on the NSW requirements and thought you may be able to enlighten me.

TendersExempt from carrying other safety equipment if the vessel carries a paddle or oars, a waterproof torch if operating between sunset and sunrise, a bucket, bailer or bilge pump.

Hi Crusoe, the above is off the RMS website. If alone the occupant needs to wear a lifejacket.

Steve

Thanks Steve for the information. Cheers