Are we experiencing an abnormal amount of strong Westerly winds, for this time of year, on the NSW Central Coast?
I have my mooring positioned on the Eastern side of the bay, protected from the Southerlys & N'Easters, but It's being belted from the West.
A boat nearby broke It's mooring this morning, and is now on the beach at Saratoga.
I did'nt expect such strong winds until August/September. If it continues like this , I might consider relocating the boat to avoid the Westerlys, and face the occassional bad Southerly.
Traditionally this is the time of year for strong westerlies. Probably would have expected the odd strong SW as well.
Go moving to the other side and you will be totally exposed to the even more problematic East Coast lows???? Likewise, the typical southerly is a worry???
Probably best to regularly inspect and service the current mooring???
....... couldn't agree more! Actually my boys use the Cape Sorell wave observations to plan their surf trips, the previous big wave event they went to a break just west of Cape Otway. Yesterday they called it Big Wednesday for the few ride able breaks around our coast. Not a good time to be sailing off Tassy's south west or anywhere south really!
The westerlies aren't all bad. A while back we did Broken Bay to Sydney on Trek. Its the only time I think we did nearly 6-7 knots on a entire voyage, on #2 only.
Flew up Pittwater and out to sea like a rocket, then down the coast to Sydney 6 - 7 kts with no tacking just relaxing. But then turning into Sydney heads was a problem
Facebook just reminded me that we departed Sydney for Southport this day 2 years ago onboard the Sailors with Disabilities Lyons 54 "Kayle". 30 knot westerlies all the way, except when it was stronger, and we did just under 48 hours dock to dock. Fast but we were wet and cold when we arrived with waves 60cm deep rolling down the boat every minute or so. Having either flown or sailed the NSW coast since 1973, strong westerlies from July to Sep or Oct is completely normal.
