I am staying in beautiful Grafton at the moment and considering returning on my boat.
I have watched all the MSB videos and read up on the correct procedures but it will be my first time crossing a bar.
Is there anything specific to this bar that I should be aware of?

I crossed it on a power boat about 10 years ago. It was nothing special. From what i have heard (and my two-time crossing experince) there is one shallow bit directly east of the river mouth and you either go north or south of it. I am not sure if this information is still relevant today. Other than that it was not a shallow bar. If you follow all of the correct procedures and pick your weather, i am sure you can have a safe crossing.

If you observe usual bar crossing precautions you will have no problems, at present there's approx 2.5 hr over run.
heres a pic from the updated chart.

Bb, first time crossing a bar...what about Lake Mac, Forster, Camden Haven, Port Mac on the way up?
If your going Port Stephans, Coffs or straight through, I suggest you don't cross into the Clarence at night, it's confusing and with tired eyes can produce grey hairs.
Avoid an Easterly swell, and all will be well if you cross at high tide, you have a 2.5hr overrun margin if your going a bit slower than you expected to get there.

Hi mate. Ive crossed it a few times and found it very friendly but always less than 1 metre swell and a flood tide or slack water. It's quite deep and forgiving unless mistimed or too much swell. There's always trawlers going in and out so if in doubt watch what they do.

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woko said..
If you observe usual bar crossing precautions you will have no problems, at present there's approx 2.5 hr over run.
heres a pic from the updated chart.

I appreciate the chart, very informative.

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Flatty said..
I crossed it on a power boat about 10 years ago. It was nothing special. From what i have heard (and my two-time crossing experince) there is one shallow bit directly east of the river mouth and you either go north or south of it. I am not sure if this information is still relevant today. Other than that it was not a shallow bar. If you follow all of the correct procedures and pick your weather, i am sure you can have a safe crossing.

Flatty, I will make the call to marine rescue both before and at the time of entry.

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BlueMoon said..
Bb, first time crossing a bar...what about Lake Mac, Forster, Camden Haven, Port Mac on the way up?
If your going Port Stephans, Coffs or straight through, I suggest you don't cross into the Clarence at night, it's confusing and with tired eyes can produce grey hairs.
Avoid an Easterly swell, and all will be well if you cross at high tide, you have a 2.5hr overrun margin if your going a bit slower than you expected to get there.

G'day Bluemoon,
I thought it might be prudent to avoid those crossings as my destination this time is Grafton.

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saltiest1 said..
Hi mate. Ive crossed it a few times and found it very friendly but always less than 1 metre swell and a flood tide or slack water. It's quite deep and forgiving unless mistimed or too much swell. There's always trawlers going in and out so if in doubt watch what they do.

Saltiest1,
I will look out for trawlers.

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Flatty said..
I crossed it on a power boat about 10 years ago. It was nothing special. From what i have heard (and my two-time crossing experince) there is one shallow bit directly east of the river mouth and you either go north or south of it. I am not sure if this information is still relevant today. Other than that it was not a shallow bar. If you follow all of the correct procedures and pick your weather, i am sure you can have a safe crossing.

Flatty,
I will do that.

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Bundeenabuoy said..

BlueMoon said..
Bb, first time crossing a bar...what about Lake Mac, Forster, Camden Haven, Port Mac on the way up?
If your going Port Stephans, Coffs or straight through, I suggest you don't cross into the Clarence at night, it's confusing and with tired eyes can produce grey hairs.
Avoid an Easterly swell, and all will be well if you cross at high tide, you have a 2.5hr overrun margin if your going a bit slower than you expected to get there.

G'day Bluemoon,
I thought it might be prudent to avoid those crossings as my destination this time is Grafton.

That is an awfully long hop. I'm assuming you will not be doing it solo?

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SV Wavesong said..

Bundeenabuoy said..

BlueMoon said..
Bb, first time crossing a bar...what about Lake Mac, Forster, Camden Haven, Port Mac on the way up?
If your going Port Stephans, Coffs or straight through, I suggest you don't cross into the Clarence at night, it's confusing and with tired eyes can produce grey hairs.
Avoid an Easterly swell, and all will be well if you cross at high tide, you have a 2.5hr overrun margin if your going a bit slower than you expected to get there.

G'day Bluemoon,
I thought it might be prudent to avoid those crossings as my destination this time is Grafton.

That is an awfully long hop. I'm assuming you will not be doing it solo?

Thank you for your concern Wavesong.
I do plan to sail the journey in stages, always have a plan B, and with company if possible.

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woko said..
If you observe usual bar crossing precautions you will have no problems, at present there's approx 2.5 hr over run.
heres a pic from the updated chart.

Been a few years bit have crossed it quite few times on big days.
If big, approach from the NE down the sector light line and wait for a break to zip around the end of the breakwater.
Never take it down the centre.
Have even hid behind the northern wall and just rounded the end if swell is southerly
Very rarely white water there.

Crossed it some years ago in my sisters Valiant 40. No issues with normal bar crossing precautions.
Back then there was a channel marked into the marina which was silted up. We had to go much further up river past the marina/town and go around a small island and double back to the marina.

Been in and out 2015, no problems and calm. In 2019 went in same thing but could not get out, big rollers coming in between the walls. Stayed over at Yamba and watched State of Origin at the pub.

Make sure you read the comments on Zulu Waterways for all bar crossings.
This App has all the latest details.

Note: you must refer to Zulu Waterways before entering the Camden Haven Inlet as the present leads will take you over the shallow part.
Marine Rescue will "RECOMMEND" you come in on these leads, WRONG and DANGEROUS!

The existing leads date back to before 1978 and the extension of the training walls in 1979.

You all, have been warned!

The Yamba bar is as good as you get.
In a way, the chart above is nice, but you need to study it carefully to get the message it conveys.
The real bar - as in the shallow breaking bit - is about 100 meters straight out from the end of the breakwall and curves around in an arc. Seas can be breaking on this, but that doesn't necessarily preclude a safe entrance if you follow the appropriate path.

So you don't come straight in from out at sea (except in the most benign conditions).

Obviously check with VMR Iluka/Yamba

As was inferred above, the safest approach is from the NE, coming in from the NE to NNE, aiming just a safe distance plus a little more from the end of the Northern breakwall. "A safe distance' is a bit variable. You want to make sure you're far enough out that a feral wave can't wash you onto it.

On calmer days, there is also a 'yachtsman's entrance' approaching from the SE and rounding the Southern wall, but in more borderline conditions, the NE one is safer. But if coming from the South, make an arc well out to see to get North of it. Don't traverse across the bar area

It is a very confusing entrance at night. There are lead lights flashing at you from everywhere and its very difficult to pick out the ones you want. Its a lot easier if you have a good GPS chart as that will provide some reassurance you've picked up the right leads.

The trawlers might be nice to follow, but are a big hazard in the area if travelling there at night. SOmetimes only some very fast motoring seems able to let you clear away from them.

From memory There is a famous photo of a trawler going out of that bar in huge waves