Have always wanted to sail to Rotto and back. Apparently many moons gone by there was a race of this such nature.

Interested in the logistics of such without upsetting Marine and Harbours people:

Requirements
1. decent gear, potentially large volume board as the wind on Thompson side would be gusty/drop as you got closer
2. bouyancy vest
3. flares
4. EPIRB?
5. anchor of some form??
6. departure location - Leighton Beach? or further south?
7. money for beer at Quoka Arms

Anyone out there recently sailed there?

what's your rescue plan, shi? what happens if you break something half way out? it's a long swim.


(sailing to rotto is something i fantasize about too )

From my POV sailing from Rotto would be a better option.

It's a bit bigger target to hit, and you get to surf down a lot of wave faces on the way back.

Chase boats will allways struggle to keep up with the average sailor running at around 40kmh (20knots).

Alby

quote:

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Originally posted by oldtimer

I was involved in the Rotto swim this year, and would have far preferred to be on my board (30+ knots southerly). It is 20 km straight line (roughly 13 miles), so should take less than an hour! A good slalom board that you can uphaul in the lee would be best (100 ltr). Hook in, close the gap & fly.

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If it only takes an hour, maybe there and back a few times in the afternoon?

The sail from Wello to Moreton is about the same distance (about 14nm or 26k). I've done that in cruise mode - big board (120 litre slalom)and 7m sail in about 13 knots of wind. It was one long reach. It took longer than I expected because I became very uncomfortable. The bottom of my foot where it curves around the rail became very painful and that had never bothered me before in normal sailing. Next time I will take a couple of thongs with holes in em to tie them onto my footstraps for my heel to sit on. The other funny thing was that I found when I got to the other side my bod was so adjusted to the sailing position that I couldn't gybe to save myself. The trip was well worth it though. It was kn beautiful over there. I saw a flying fish on that crossing and haven't seen one before or since.

Safety considerations - When I cruise I take a phone. Its CDMA and I haven't found a spot where it doesn't work. Apart from that I carry some spare line and the gear I use is like heavy duty reliable. I've got a strobing flash light too that I really should carry. A gps would be handy for reporting your position if stuck and finding your launch in the dark. A bottle of waters a good idea too.

Many moons ago I did Cairns to Green Island (27km), and back with a mate. We both took a couple of flares each in bum bags.
Go with a couple of mates, make sure everyones gear is good and just do it. These days I'd take flares, epirb (small)& phone in bum bags. But remember, s--t does happen, just be prepared for it.

Cheers,
Bob.

quote:

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Originally posted by firiebob

Many moons ago I did Cairns to Green Island (27km), and back with a mate. We both took a couple of flares each in bum bags.
Go with a couple of mates, make sure everyones gear is good and just do it. These days I'd take flares, epirb (small)& phone in bum bags. But remember, s--t does happen, just be prepared for it.

Cheers,
Bob.

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That is a gutsy sail!

Yeah, you're so out of shape!

I'm organising the kitesurfers event for Feb 07. If this one gets off the ground, maybe the next year we can get a kitesurfer and windsurfer race going.

PM me and I'll give you some details.

It is illegal to sail across, these quite a complex set of rules and approvals and lots of conditions. Happy to give you some idea what's involved.

If anyone would like to be involved PM me also.

brooksy

quote:

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Originally posted by shi thouse

Will look into the logistics of the whole situation and report back. Understand those long runs. Quiet often do the far side of Safety Bay (near Warnbro) to Penguin Island. That must be around the six/seven km mark. Plenty of people must have done it with a GPS and could be a little more accurate than my guess. Have found that early in the season a couple of these runs leaves me feeling fairly knackered physically and mentally (when your riding flat stick the concentration is fantastic, thinking about nothing but the waves and wind in front of you). However by mid-season I am able to do it for a few hours. Which leads me to believe that the crossing would have to be done mid-season so that the sailing fitness was up!

Anyone out there know any nice marine and harbours people who would be willing to discuss the situation??

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Mid season sounds like a good plan.....

If its on, I'm in!

me three.

And don't discuss it with marine and harbours coz they will just boycott the whole thing. I once tried launching my skiff off hillarys and they told me our 70kg self-buoyant skiff needed an anchor.

I have been planning to do this for a while. I was gonna get a mate to drive his boat over in the morning, windsurf over in the arvo and get him to meet me at Phillip Rock to tow me in when I run out of wind and start sinking.

If there was a race, it should be all the way around Rotto and back. Or is the west end just too dangerous and rough?

sail to rotto, up until 2 years ago..i had the tee shirt stored away from the one and only race to rotto. about 100 starters and only 30 were alowed to make the crossing. You dont make it into the bay, you get to the natural jetty...the point at thompsons. then you have to get home..the fun part. getting over , you need a good consistent wind as it shifts as yiou get closser to the island. keep the idea going as i will be in again. **** loads of fun. unofficial is much easier... just needs lots of common sense and a boat for when you dont hit the island.