I'm planning on starting at Georgetown or thereabouts at 11.00 and heading up the river (southwards) and see how far I get. Hopefully Launceston. I'll be on the raceboard with a 5.8 I reckon. Forecast 20-30 knots for most of the day in the Tamar Valley from the north. If anyone is keen to come along for all or part email or call 04888 46642.
Clarence
Hello Clarence, have a good run, I'll be with you in spirit. Have a look to the West when you start off, may see a couple of us out on the Western side for a change.
I'm glad you were there in spirit, as the real thing was full on- everything from 35 knots to zero knots and very colourful to say the least. Not the prettiest to watch by any stretch, but a good learning experience.
Ended up being something like 60km.
By the time I got to the Tailrace it was nearly dark and my fingers were ready to fall off from the cold.
Saw Jason and James at Beauty Point. Jason was indeed correct that going along Long Reach on the outgoing tide would be "interesting".
The wind was funnelling through there and blowing the tops off the waves. I think the trick is put the mast track in the middle (rather than right back) and bear off at about 70 degrees (or more) so it is possible to crouch down and lay the rig right back over the tail and keep the nose from burying over the back of the waves. Bearing off so far means you don't generate any extra apparent wind- which was the last thing I needed.
Far more challenging than most of the ocean runs I've done.
Clarence
connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/789612690
connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/789612707
Well done Clarence...very brave to do it on your own..sounds like long reach was quite messy
I showed up just as you were leaving. Last we saw of you was an orange jacket disappearing into the chop and spray. The thought on everyone's mind was I wonder if we'll see Clarence again?
Now that was a BIG effort, well done, if just a little bit insane.
Wow Clarence - wow.
That's the making of a legend!
True sailing skills, and balls the size none of us have. And the madness to sail into the tailrace!! #StinkyFeet
Not sure many would understand the magnitude of what you achieved mate. Huge respect.
Did you launch from Beauty Point? And what happened from the southern side of Rowella to Deviot?
Did you sail or walk - there's no where to get picked up... or just GPS failure?
Thanks for comments guys.
I started at Beauty Point- I knew it was a big trip and decided that Beauty Point to Launceston was enough to try in one go. It was forecast 35 knots plus for Georgetown, so thought it best to start a little further inland.
After the run down Long Reach I had a little rest on a beach near Rowella, and forgot to re-start the GPS- I did sail all that way and only re-set it at Deviot yacht club when I decided it was time to let off the outhaul (adjustable outhaul kit already ordered).
The big challenge with any of these runs is getting the sail size right for such variable conditions over the distance and time of the trip. There is no way I could have held onto anything more than the 5.8 at Beauty Point and Long Reach, but was way underpowered on the rest. That being said there were still some pretty stiff gusts right through to Gravelly Beach.
I did have to walk a bit around the south side of Middle Island at Bell Bay (I thought it would have been sailable, but the sand spit was exposed).
The "Rosevears Effect" was very obvious, being a good 5 knots more over the 1km length of river around the sailing spot.
Once you get south of Rowella there are lots of pull out points, so I wasn't too worried. I knew Jason and a few others were at West Arm, and they were the "backup plan" (or should I say "pickup plan") if I got stranded.
The Tail Race was beautiful clean nice smelling water- so I was able to drop the sail in and wash off all the Tamar gunk.
With a summer NW seabreeze it would be worth a try again. 7.5 in 15 knots with an incoming tide (and sun) would be a much better scenario.
Clarence
Yeah. That's a huge effort
What about Whirlpool reach? What was the current doing through there? I can see you doing 360's 
On Whirlpool Reach (I think you mean under the Batman Bridge) the trick is do stay within 5 or 10 metres of the bank and head straight downwind. The current was very gentle on the bank with no eddies or back currents. The middle would be a bit of a handful most of the time.
You're spot on Mort, I was completely buggered yesterday. Still working on the pecs
Clarence
connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/815989949
I had a beautiful ocean run yesterday from Lagoon Beach.
I often do this run around to East Beach then walk back to Lagoon Beach to get the car (600m walk).
This is the first time I've done it out and back- for something different.
Low Head was reading 19-24 knots. I think 16-20 was more realistic, as I manged fine with a sloppily rigged 7.5 all the way.
There was a surprisingly little swell and waves, which makes running past the lighthouse reef a little easier (don't need to head so far out).
This one was far prettier to watch than the Tamar downwinder a few weeks back.
Clarence
Hey Clarence - that link doesn't work mate. Are you able to upload your file to KA72.com ?
You can register for free, and has much better overlays on satellite pics...
cheers
oh - hey, btw, nice work Saturday, saw you out the heads - knew it was you immediately. No one else with those Alby Mangles kahunas. 
