I'm moving out for two years and I arrive in August.

We're currently going to live somewhere between middle park and brighton (it's not that well planned at the moment). In terms of ability, I can jump, carve gybe etc but haven't sailed much in "proper" waves

I've been told that the sea breeze is relatively consistent in the summer and that the season can start from when the clocks change. Also that winter wind is a bit unreliable.

I've got four boards which I'm going to ship but I wondered what the best kit for sailing in the bay after work (and what the best kit for waves further afield)

I was going to join elwood sailing club so I could keep my kit on the beach in a locker - does anyone else do this?

I'm looking forward to exploring some new locations when I arrive but is there anything else that it would be good to know now (kit and where to live, what to drive etc)

I'd be very grateful for any info

Welcome to Australia!

I don't live or sail to much at that end of the bay but it is the best area to be in for seabreezes, I sometimes make the trip to Elwood when the seabreeze isn't happening further South. Seabreeze usually comes in about 2:30 onwards and builds as the afternoon goes on I way 78 kg and can usually get away with a 7.0 on a 103 L board sometimes that maybe to big. Winter winds can be unreliable but again you are near the most popular Winter N NW spot on the bay Green Point with its grass rigging area is a blast in winter and the place to be, again sometimes the N wind will not get to the more S end of the bay so people like me drive to Green Point.
sminchin.tripod.com/windsurf/melbeach.html

Thanks JMan

Which months is the sea breeze strongest?

7.0m still seems quite light (if you're 78 kilos) - I'm nudging 90kgs

Ginger,

I weigh 85kgs.

I sail the Melbourne seabreezes (November-March, peaking Jan Feb) with a 106lt and 5.8/6.5m sails. These winds are generally 15-20knts (seabreeze wind readings).

The seabreeze can sometimes gets to 20-25knts. I bust out an 85lt board and 5.8m.

Occaisonally during this period we get cracking SW fronts of 20-30+ knts. Lots of fun.

Autumn sucks...

Winter northerlies are good when they happen (20knts and beyond, 50-60knt gusts a couple of months back). Rye in the south end of the bay is pretty popular but as Jman said sometimes the wind doesn't reach there (keep an eye on the South Channel Island Beacon). If the winter wind makes it to Rye I will be on an 85lt and 4.7/5.8m

Select to expand quote

Rox said...

Ginger,

I weigh 85kgs.

I sail the Melbourne seabreezes (November-March, peaking Jan Feb) with a 106lt and 5.8/6.5m sails. These winds are generally 15-20knts (seabreeze wind readings).

The seabreeze can sometimes gets to 20-25knts. I bust out an 85lt board and 5.8m.

Occaisonally during this period we get cracking SW fronts of 20-30+ knts. Lots of fun.

Autumn sucks...

Winter northerlies are good when they happen (20knts and beyond, 50-60knt gusts a couple of months back). Rye in the south end of the bay is pretty popular but as Jman said sometimes the wind doesn't reach there (keep an eye on the South Channel Island Beacon). If the winter wind makes it to Rye I will be on an 85lt and 4.7/5.8m

As Rox says u can get away with a smaller sail than 7.0 when the seabreeze kicks in, I just like to get on the water as soon as possible and just crank the downhaul and hang on. Good thing about elwood when waiting for the wind on a hot day the view can be superbe !

Living anywhere between Middle Park and Brighton would be perfect- the seabreezes are probably at their best along that stretch of the bay, which is where I usuallly sail.

Looking at sailing clubs now... is the best plan getting a beachside locker? I'm working in the CBD but want to be able to get out asap after work

Hey ginge
been in "STRALIA" for 6 months, and been living in Melbourne for 4 weeks.. used to sail Hayling Island, Shoreham, Whitstable. Brought my tabou 105 with Tushy sails.
definitely a good place for windsurfing.. Northerlies in winter, a bit fluky, and SWesterlies in Summer..nice!

definilely warmer than Blighty!!
enyoy