Hi all,

My first post but I have been following this great forum for some time.

I am relocating back to Oz from UK and would like to sail in Lake Macquarie. Hence, a few questions about gear and conditions.

I started windsurfing in June this year and am in the harness, planing, doing beachstart and fast tack on a short board (Rocket 135).
I weigh 72kg and have the following kit: Tabou Rocket 135, sails - 5.4m, 6,4m and 7.5m. I am thinking of getting a Fanatic Gecko 112 or RRD Firemove 112 + a couple more sails and fins etc.

I currently sail in inland reservoirs where wind conditions are patchy, gusty and swirly (not great). I would appreciate any tips as to sailing conditions and gear requirements for Lake Macquarie (Sail sizes, Fin sizes and general wind conditions and local club info.

Looking forward to wearing boardshorts instead of a wetsuit....

Thanks tomp, Looks like some long planing runs are to be had at Canton Beach. The best I get here is about 30 seconds before having to tack.

The weed fin sounds like a good idea. Retailers here will be having their post X'Mas sales and I know the guys at the two local shops, so should be able to get a good deal.

I will hang on to my wetsuits, which should keep me sailing through the colder months.

Best wind in a S is off Valentine but both these spots are a bit advanced in that the wind is blowing crosshore so if anything goes wrong you can get blown a long way down the lake. Marmong is onshore in a NE but doesn't get anywhere near the wind Coal does.
Arcadia Vale could be a good spot to launch in a NE ( I haven't sailed there for a while so not sure if there is a bit of a windshadow in close). Its would be good as the chop is more rollers ( sharper off Coal) and if anything goes wrong you won't end up too far away - not on the other side of the lake! It gets the NE but not quite as strong as Coal. I learnt there in the 80's ( or at Wangi scout hall across the water but now there are too many moored boats to avoid near the scout hall ). You could sail over to the scout hall area from Arcadia.
Apparently Rathmines is good in a S or SE more onshore and shallow too from what I've heard.

5.4 should be the smallest you would use here , i mostly am on 7.6 and then 6.6 and rarely on anything under that, No weed fin required in Lake macquarie

fanatic02 said..

5.4 should be the smallest you would use here , i mostly am on 7.6 and then 6.6 and rarely on anything under that, No weed fin required in Lake macquarie

Likewise, I have sails from 4 to 7.7 and on the lake I'm generally on a 6.2 and above. If it's howling I generally use my 5.4 I'm only 77Kg too.

I have been using a weedie on the lake a bit this year ( because I have one.) Generally not needed but you can get days where there are // strips of floating weed which are a pain.
Winds often 10-20kts in a NE occasionally a black NE 25-30kts off Coal and 15 - 30kts for S's. Winter gales can be 5 - 4okts + and gusty as - go to Canton!They'll still be strong but flat water and waist deep H2o if you fall in..