New boat / rotto virgin
Hey guys
So I ended up upgrading my boat, closed the deal on Saturday, trailcraft Trailblazer 580 with a 115 merc 2st. Got it for 17k. Trailer needs work, hence the low price, but hull is sound (built in 2000) and had the engine checked out by mick from marine masters, and he gave me the all clear big tick.
So a friends family has a considerable size 35ft penned down in Mandurah, and they are headed to rotto for the weekend, and invited me to come along, relax in the luxury, go explore some bays then enjoy the night in one of their big double beds.
My thoughtwould be to leave nice and early 6ish from hillarys (closest to me) head over, (get someone to tow the trailer home for the night so my car doesn't get trashed) , stay the night then head back in the morning before the wind swings around.
My only reservation, being an inexperienced skipper in the ocean is seabreeze is showing a fair bit of wind all day on Saturday, about 20 knots, and I usually look for low wind to go out.
And the swell is saying about 1.5,which is in the old girl the upper limit ewhat I would go out in
What are your thoughts?
Asvice/wisdom appreciated
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
My Trophy will be staying
My Trophy will be staying covered up yhis weekend haha.
If the forecast holds it won't be pretty!
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
I had the exact same hull,
I had the exact same hull, and it does handle weather, especially when not on the nose very safely.
Perfect opportunity though to get over there without worrying about sleeping arrangements.
Freo is a bit closer-maybe get your friend to pick you up in the river and tuck in behind the ferry if its a concern?
Saturday is a LONG way ahead as far as forecasts go-in fact Id go as far as say discount it further than 4 days ahead and wait til its closer.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Swompa
Posts: 3783
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Generally, according to
Generally, according to Seabreeze, I use the Tuesday forecast for Saturday to be the best.
The reality is that you could go out in any conditions, but you would need to skipper appropriately and take enough fuel to suit.
my first trip to rotto had us coming back into a 25- 30 knot southerly. Trip down to woodies was vicious and we had to sit on 8 ish knots and just watch the waves. Sometimes I stopped the boat to wait for some big rollers to pass.
Due to the angle of the chop and swell, I went directly south into the wind and took shelter at Carnac to check fuel then headed in. Not the fastest route, but on the day, the best in my opinion.
saturdays forecast is for south easterleys, so if you were to head directly south from Hillarys and then head out, it may make your ride more comfortable. Given the forecast, it will be ok, you just need to head south enough to get a better angle.
Most important thing is that you don't need to race there. Most of my trips to rotto have been at around 15 to 18 knots. Enough to plane in the easterly, but not too much that you are breaking your back off the waves.
Wait till Tuesday. You never know, BOM may give you north Easterlys tending WSW when you arrive.
ace rimmer
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 19/08/13
Ain't pretty
If seabreeze is right Saturday ain't going to be pretty. But like Swompa say's I would hug the coast until you get to Freemantle then turn and head to rotto. Trim your motor up so you are riding bow high with the South Easterly behind you and you won't have a problem. Hillary's ain't Rockingham and I usually leave my car there overnight with no problems cheers Ace
Swompa
Posts: 3783
Date Joined: 14/10/12
LOTS of southerly
LOTS of southerly forecasted. Ferry looking good at this point.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
rotto
Its not looking pretty at this stage. I am supposed to heading over on friday for a few days with the Mrs and will probably still go as long as she does, its just not looking like a pleasant ride over at this stage. My boats about the same size as yours and I wont be too worried leaving from Hillaries just go slow into the southerly and enjoy the ride its not too far last time I went with a ugly NW wind and cruised at about 15-18 knots and I think it took me half an hour. Once your there you can always find some nice water in the lee of the island and you will be glad you made the trip
touch wood never had a problem leaving the car at hillaries although mine is nothing special
I take it you will tie up to your mates boat in the evening but if you havent been before take a look on the rotto website at the Thompson bay shared mooring system if you want to take your boat in to the pub or shops. If you use this you will need 2 ropes for your stern about 20m long or another anchor if the spots are full.
scubafish
Posts: 949
Date Joined: 15/08/12
Hillarys
I dont care what any one else says ,Hillary's all the way if the SW kicks in you have it behind you ,when you go from freo you have the SW on your starboard side all the way back.I live NOR and have always gone from Hillary s for Overnight.
Safer to have a following sea always.
I have done the trip on my own in a 17 ft Penguin 70 Johnson.
If its your first time best to try and go with another boat if not then that's OK ,just have to check all equipment.
Hillary's to southern cardinal marker then across to Rotto, this is the best track .
Have done this trip many times.
Don't be under the illusion that leaving Rotto first thing in the morning to come home is good,i have found that you need to watch what time the sea breeze is due in and watch the weather.
the best time is just as you feel it starting at rotto ,you dont want to come back in a strong easterly.
I have had days where it has been 4.30 in the arvo when the breeze dropped off.
Need any more help let me know,
Geoff.
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Rotto
Looking at the weather this Arvo and it has strengthened, I may not go after all. My mrs hasn't been over on my boat before so I don't want her to go once and never again.
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Forecast is crap dude, leave
Forecast is crap dude, leave the traily at home.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
heading to rotto tomorrow
me and catchalitle are heading out past rotto tomorrow if your keen
Josh
Posts: 279
Date Joined: 14/09/10
thanks for the advice
thanks for the advice guys
Gonna leave it at home, forecast seems to be getting worse every day!
Thanks for the offer petermac but gotta work for the man.
Maybe I could take you up on it some other time
Swompa
Posts: 3783
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Launch at Freo mate and get
Launch at Freo mate and get someone to take the trailer to Hillary's. Looks like a crap weekend to be heading south.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
out of interest
Just out of interest for everyone, consulted the Mrs and looking at the weather we have decided not to go so I rang up today to see if I could get a refund/change the date of my beach pen fee and they said if they get a strong wind warning(looks like they will) then they will give me a full refund. Not too bad I thought.
hope sunday turns out half decent for a fish