Started at Narrowneck around 2pm. 6.2m set to max power. Slogged out, just planed back in, repeated and gave up.

Stopped at The Train on way home and whoah! (Although I kinda expected it)
Overpowered at times on a 5.4m set to minimum power. There's no way it didn't get above 20 knots.

So, it it a funnel effect? Is it all the shallow sand banks? What is it?
I've seen this every time I go to the surf and come back via The Train.

buy a wind gauge.

^ I've got two - a 5.4 and a 6 .2

...actually how much would one expect to pay for a good quality wind gauge? Handy at places you don't usually sail.

Gesty: Can I coax you into a sail in small surf one day?

KEEN!

how about january at mooloolaba?

my theory is that the goldy meter reads about 5 or so more than wind at sea level. same as the redcliffe meter.

i bought a wind gauge on ebay for $60. doesn't mater if it reads a little wrong as you caliberate your sails to it's readings.

be honest i haven't used it for a fair while.

Coal and steam

Obviously QLD Rail has nothing to do with this train, otherwise you'd be standing around for hours waiting for the wind

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Gestalt said...

KEEN!

how about january at mooloolaba?

Pencilled in.

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my theory is that the goldy meter reads about 5 or so more than wind at sea level. same as the redcliffe meter.

Agreed in a S-SE that is true, however seems to be quite often the opposite in NE. Add 5-10.

On top of that the wind at the beach/ocean, only about 600m away, is often feeble and un-sailable while it is cranking at the train. This is especially true in a summer seabreeze.

i must have been unlucky then, don't get me wrong, i like a train ride but i just don't think it is more than the meter.

best place for seabreezes is my secret spot and then wello.....

mooloolaba it is!

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evlPanda said...

How does The Train work?

don't be askin questions, and just be glad it does

At the train you can get going in NE at 12/15knts from the South you need 20/25knts to get going crazy isn't it?

We usually take off 5knts off the seaway reading because its about 30mtrs high

there is a funneling effect by the land and building from both directions especially NE, wave break island etc

A three knot tide running oppursite the wind can help get you planning but if its with the wind often you are drifting with it.

Anything less than SSE head north, you don't need to go to far the grand or oatlands/shearwater

Its a special place when the conditions are right, like all last week, we are lucky to have this in "our back garden"

big ditto on that sonic.

Hadn't been to Shearwater before so I checked it out a week ago when visiting my Mum (no wind day Friday). Was really impressed on what a great place to sail, plenty of park area to rig, sany beaches, blue water, etc etc. You guys are pretty fortunate to have this on your doorstep.

So where is Shearwater, or is that the same as the Train ??

Shearwater is Shearwater Esplanade at Runaway Bay.

www.google.com.au:443/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Shearwater+Esplanade,+Runaway+Bay+QLD+4216&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=50.596698,77.958984&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FSMcVv4d_NAkCQ&split=0&hq&hnear=Shearwater+Esplanade,+Runaway+Bay+QLD+4216&t=h&z=16

Again, it is always windier there, +5, than anywhere else on the coast in a SE. Again it is downwind of the seaway, and the wind gets funnelled down the broadwater.

Best with wind against tide, the tide can run pretty fast there so check before you go.

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evlPanda said...

Shearwater is Shearwater Esplanade at Runaway Bay.

www.google.com.au:443/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Shearwater+Esplanade,+Runaway+Bay+QLD+4216&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=50.596698,77.958984&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FSMcVv4d_NAkCQ&split=0&hq&hnear=Shearwater+Esplanade,+Runaway+Bay+QLD+4216&t=h&z=16

Again, it is always windier there, +5, than anywhere else on the coast in a SE. Again it is downwind of the seaway, and the wind gets funnelled down the broadwater.

Best with wind against tide, the tide can run pretty fast there so check before you go.

Tanks for that.
I did a bit of google-mapping the otehr day and found it, but still wasn't sure.
So, it's the Train on a northerly, Shearwater on a southerly ?? Correct ??
For reference, I lived in Bundaberg for a long time and did most of my sailing there, apart from a great winter in Perth 1996, so I am used to strong steady wind, and haven't really manages to jag any since I've been down here, until the northerlies this year. Still very lacking in local knowledge, though I am starting to get the hang of Currumbin.

^ Generally Train = N and Shearwater = S

Shearwater is very tidal flow affected which can be great, the tide flows in/out the seaway of course, just to the south. Can run at 4 knots. Just use your noggin'

Best on outgoing tide and a SE.

The Train needs some East in it as there are a LOT of buildings to the south.

Can be great in a SE too but best in a NE seabreeze, summer's day etc.

You can probably see on GoogleMaps there are a lot of other places to sail in teh Broadwater
Oh yeah, Sunday is boat traffic day.