Hello Clarence, have a good run, I'll be with you in spirit. Have a look to the West when you start off, may see a couple of us out on the Western side for a change.

Well done Clarence...very brave to do it on your own..sounds like long reach was quite messy

That is a massive effort!
You'd sleep well after that, I would imagine.

Thanks for comments guys.

I started at Beauty Point- I knew it was a big trip and decided that Beauty Point to Launceston was enough to try in one go. It was forecast 35 knots plus for Georgetown, so thought it best to start a little further inland.

After the run down Long Reach I had a little rest on a beach near Rowella, and forgot to re-start the GPS- I did sail all that way and only re-set it at Deviot yacht club when I decided it was time to let off the outhaul (adjustable outhaul kit already ordered).

The big challenge with any of these runs is getting the sail size right for such variable conditions over the distance and time of the trip. There is no way I could have held onto anything more than the 5.8 at Beauty Point and Long Reach, but was way underpowered on the rest. That being said there were still some pretty stiff gusts right through to Gravelly Beach.

I did have to walk a bit around the south side of Middle Island at Bell Bay (I thought it would have been sailable, but the sand spit was exposed).

The "Rosevears Effect" was very obvious, being a good 5 knots more over the 1km length of river around the sailing spot.

Once you get south of Rowella there are lots of pull out points, so I wasn't too worried. I knew Jason and a few others were at West Arm, and they were the "backup plan" (or should I say "pickup plan") if I got stranded.

The Tail Race was beautiful clean nice smelling water- so I was able to drop the sail in and wash off all the Tamar gunk.

With a summer NW seabreeze it would be worth a try again. 7.5 in 15 knots with an incoming tide (and sun) would be a much better scenario.

Clarence

On Whirlpool Reach (I think you mean under the Batman Bridge) the trick is do stay within 5 or 10 metres of the bank and head straight downwind. The current was very gentle on the bank with no eddies or back currents. The middle would be a bit of a handful most of the time.

You're spot on Mort, I was completely buggered yesterday. Still working on the pecs

Clarence

Hey Clarence - that link doesn't work mate. Are you able to upload your file to KA72.com ?
You can register for free, and has much better overlays on satellite pics...
cheers
oh - hey, btw, nice work Saturday, saw you out the heads - knew it was you immediately. No one else with those Alby Mangles kahunas.