hi all. I know this would have been answered somewhere in SB previously but I cannot find we anything about EAC in a search.
planning to sail from Syd to greenwell point on Thursday and wonder if there's a current worth getting into to help speed the passage.
thanks

Here you go.

oceancurrent.imos.org.au/LordHoweS/latest.html

www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/forecasts/

I always find this useful

Cheers

Bristol

Oh, and I'm sure you know this - you can spot the optimum current by keeping an eye on the water temperature.

Bristol

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Bristolfashion said...
Oh, and I'm sure you know this - you can spot the optimum current by keeping an eye on the water temperature.

Bristol

Thaks alot guys. I dont have a hull thermometer. Maybe ill buy a hand one i can dip in

Depending on conditions you can pick current lines.
The distance offshore will vary along with strength from day to day. It can even double back and have a south to north running current
Going south go wide and when coming north stay in close.

How far out you think? 10kms?

It's not a constant. ie that distance out will vary a lot.

When you find the centre of the EAC it can be a real escalator. It's shifty though.

Thermometers or satellite imagery will help you find it...

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Sectorsteve said...
How far out you think? 10kms?

As ring also said it varies. Can be over 10 km or as close as 1 or even less . Are you planning on going direct or stopping at wollongong overnight?
Personally if I had a NE i would go about 10 km out and would go directly but if you are beating into a southerly i would be overnighting somewhere .

This time of the year the current varies a lot from a drain down to nothing at all to 2 to 3 knots either North or South. Pick a decent weather window and sail South. Use your VHF to scan the professional fishermen channels, 14 and 72. They always talk about the current, they may use expressions like a drain down or 2 to 3 bubbles down but it's easy enough to work out whats happening. They will also mention the colour of the water and current lines too. There will be a lot of amateur fishermen everywhere from close in to 40 miles now that it's marlin season so watch out for lunatics.

There is often a drain of current running North in close so it's probably best to go South about 10 miles or so off shore and enjoy the view.

Thanks guys good tips! Ive calculated at 5 knots with some tacks i should reach kiama by 8 pm if i leave syd at 5/6am. Not ideal heading south in southerly but im happy for this as my sheet to tiller works flawlessly to windward so i can rest and not have to steer the whole way. Ill be alone.

Ideally id like to do it in 1 hit leaving at 3am as theres some moon and possibly calm conditions but i need to baby sit my sick feline until help comes. Crazy I know but we love our cat !

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Sectorsteve said..
Thanks guys good tips! Ive calculated at 5 knots with some tacks i should reach kiama by 8 pm if i leave syd at 5/6am. Not ideal heading south in southerly but im happy for this as my sheet to tiller works flawlessly to windward so i can rest and not have to steer the whole way. Ill be alone.

Highly unlikely you will maintain 5 knots. Doing it in one go your going to experience light conditions for part of the way. Don't need fresh conditions but a steady Easterly or North Easterly will give the fastest trip. Few weeks back we departed the Heads at 1800 and arrived at Greenwell Point about 1500 the next afternoon. Good North Easter of about 15 knots but it died about 0300 and we had light conditions till the last couple of hours. Two of us hand steering an alloy 42 footer. Most people do it in about 14 hours. My worst is 27 hours!

I am aiming to be at greenwell about friday midday or arvo. Will there be a mooring there for me for maybe 3/4 days?

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Sectorsteve said..
I am aiming to be at greenwell about friday midday or arvo. Will there be a mooring there for me for maybe 3/4 days?

Is at the moment and should be still on Friday. We will find one for you anyway.

Thanks heaps! Ill call on thursday sometime with a more accurate eta

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Sectorsteve said..
Thanks heaps! Ill call on thursday sometime with a more accurate eta

Looking like a slow trip Thursday /Friday!

It really is looking slow. Im lightening the boat down as much as i can.

Hi Steve,

We are going to head south for Jervis Bay on Top Hat 25 "Lapse of Reason" Thursday or Friday morning from Pittwater. What's your VHF call? We'll call you if we'll spot you!

Our top hat is white hull, white sails with no numbers, yellowish deck and an outboard.

Have a good trip!
=Serge

Hi serge. Id love that. Slightly apprehensive going it alone and have decided to go overnight and not stop so sailingcin company would feel secure. Im sure itll be sweet anyway but ill leave tomorrow morning about 7am from harbour. Be out of the heads anout 8.30 id say. Black hull "kia kaha" name on side. White decks. Bbq on back and bow netting. I pmd you anyway. Kia kaha is my call sign. Not too sure about radio stuff vut i have one and listen to weather updates. Ill monitor the channels ramona mentioned earlier this thread aswell as 16. Hope to see you.

There was no noticeable current today offshore. Trawlers will be working tomorrow but Friday is the last market day till after Christmas so they will be knocked off for a few days Friday. Looking like a SE to E so perfect for self steering with a bungy cord.

Here is a local chart if you need one.

Thanks again! Any bar or anything to worry about ir is it deep as. No swell anyway on friday so should be ok