First time to Lysterfield Lake, yesterday.
Nice grassy area for rigging, easy access to car and to beach for launching. There is no longer an entry fee charged. It was a hot day, so there were many bathers in the windsurfer and boat launching area. Because of this, considerable care was needed at the beach (asked the ranger about this and he said "just run 'em over"). The wind was a gusty northerly, and I mean GUSTY! Half way across the lake it was either blasting or dead, but sometimes just a gentle breeze, with the occasional maelstrom, and quite choppy. After a couple of scary runs across and some occasionally involuntary planing (I'm fairly new to this game), I settled into it and had a great time.
I'd say if Port Phillip Bay's just too rough, it's a great alternative. It would be perfect in a steady 20kt northerly ... but we get that about once every 300 years in Melbourne.

PLUS - you and your gear get a good wash out in fresh water!

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ozbiker56 said.... It would be perfect in a steady 20kt northerly

unfortunately, normally it's not the wind that's gusty, it's the land that it's travelled over has messed it up. This means lakes are gusty because they often have trees and stuff around them - plus there isn't space for the wind to settle over the water.

Sandy is still the place to be

Lysterfield lake only works on a dead northerly or southerly, works a little better on a southerly, northerlies can be real messy. i think there is less hills and stuff to disturb the wind from the south direction so it can be i LITTLE more consistent, but its a good local place for learning, i went down there heaps to get use to planing, harness etc, but you soon find that the bay is much more fun... or inverloch/sandy if you still want flat water and dont mind a drive

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm looking forward to getting to Sandy Point: it sounds great. It's a bit too far for an afternoon though. It would be a great spot for a weekend trip by the sounds of things.

All the above is true ,but if you can cope with the shifts, variations and cold cold water in the off months you can cope with anything. Good for washing out the salt water too! Once Iwas accosted(? ) by an irrate father about how close the boarders were coming to the kids, etc swimming in the water until I pointed out the big signs showing that the area was designated for water craft, and that there was a designated swimming area further down where we couldn't go! He shut up then, still let the kids swim though! Good argument for selective breeding.
Mobi

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ozbiker56 said...

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm looking forward to getting to Sandy Point: it sounds great. It's a bit too far for an afternoon though. It would be a great spot for a weekend trip by the sounds of things.

Indeed an afternoon trip is a little hard, but you definitely dont need to go for the whole weekend. SP is 2.5hrs drive from the city, so its definitely possible for a day trip - just make sure to leave Melbourne 3hrs before the wind is scheduled to arrive. Indeed this Sunday looks like it will be windy all day.