G'day Gents

Keen to do the little paddle from the city to Manly over the next few days.
Would any of you have any tips, information or safety considerations I should be aware of?

Have pfd plb etc and made much longer trips, just don't want to get mowed down by a ferry.

If you want to join me let me know
Cheers

Great trip Picker. After all the crappy weather we've had, Sydney is back to its finest at the moment. Not sure where you're going to enter the water, but could I suggest you enter on the north side at Lavender Bay, just near Luna Park. That way you won't have to cross any of the major ferry thoroughfares. From there you can follow the lower north shore east under the coat hanger, past Kirribilli and Neutral Bay, then onto Cremorne Point, past the zoo. You could possibly come across some of the smaller inner harbour ferries along this section but I've never had a problem - you can get a clear sighting all the time. At Bradleys Head turn north, hugging the coast still. Can I suggest you stop at Clifton Gardens where the old army maritime base is. Really interesting and there's a cafe there that does great coffee. Continuing north, head up past Middle Head. This is across from the heads, and where you'll you'll strike the most swell. Depending on the conditions, it's mostly manageable. You'll also cross the entrance to middle harbour, where you might strike a bit of boat traffic but nothing major. You should have Manly in sight now, so you're on the homeward stretch. This trip would have to be the best that Sydney has to offer within the harbour for stand up paddling. When do you plan on doing it?

Cheers mate!
Staying in rose Bay so head out from there, don't have time until the weekend, so maybe saterday sometime

If you're starting out from Rose Bay then head north to Nielsen Park at Vaucluse, then head north west across to Clifton Gardens on the other side. You're crossing the main ferry route but you've got clear line of sight north and west at that point, and it's the narrowest point across. Once you hit Clifton Gardens, head north to Manly. This also avoids crossing the heads directly, which can be dicey on the best of days. I'd much prefer to do it further west at Middle Head. Swell rebounds a bit off Middle Head so don't travel too close, but you should be fine.
If you plan on paddling back, which is easily managed, I've found that the paddle south is easier than the paddle north - chop through the heads tends to be front corner on when heading south, which I find more comfortable.

Go early in the morning. The sunrise is often awesome, but more importantly the later you leave it, the more boats are on the water and the more chop will have built up.