Peel island to Raby Bay

Wide bay bar waypoints

Monday 27th June 2022

Made our way over to Raby bay around mid morning and enjoyed a sail along the eastern side of Peel Island heading further north so we could tack back into Raby Bay. We found a good anchorage in about 3 meters of water among a number of other boats obviously having the same idea to hid out here with the southerly strong winds coming.

I spent the rest of the day on board checking our route north and learning about the wide bay bar and it’s approaches. I rang coast guard tin can bay for the way points (coordinates) of the recommended entry route as these change constantly with the shifting sands so important to have the up to date info as this is one of the most notorious bar crossings in the world! Thus want to get it right.

Wave maps This is a definite No Go day with 5.5 meter waves!!!

I learnt about how to read wave maps and how the period of the wave influences if it will break not just the height. When we are out in open sea a longer wave period ( the distance between peak of one wave to the next) is a much more comfortable ride however when getting into the shallows the waves with longer periods have longer to build height and possibly break. You do not want breaking waves as you cross a bar. So even a relatively small wave of 1.0 to 1.5 meters if they have a period greater than 10 seconds can be treacherous in this area!

So what we are looking for on the wave map in order for a “GO” to cross the bar is an average of waves 1.5 meters or less and max wave of less than 3 meters, periods of less than 10 seconds and wind less than 15 knots. Not asking for much! I’m wondering if anyone ever gets to cross but I know they do because You Tube tells me so! 😉

Sandbar at double Island Point provides a safe anchorage in behind while waiting to cross wide bay bar

Anyway there is a lovely anchorage at Double Island Point (DIP) where yachts wait for the right conditions sometimes for up to 10 days! Now I understand why. We will definitely stay here if needed but from the current weather report we may be a go so we are planning to time our arrival for the last 2 hours of the flood (incoming) tide which means an overnight sail leaving here around 1pm to arrive around 7 am. Lots of things to consider. Who knew sailing was this complicated. Seams the easiest part is actually out on the open water with sails up provided you choose the right weather!!

Rick has been busy working most of today so we will consult the weather predictions together tonight and plan departure day.

Tuesday 28th June 2022

We think at this stage we will leave tomorrow afternoon as the weather is looking good although a few showers around. It could be a rather wet sail but we have good wet weather gear. Never really thought we would need it quite as much though!

Heading into town for a few supplies today and a little wander around to stretch the legs before a long stint on the boat.

Will then pack up and tidy away everything in case it gets bumpy.

We rechecked weather this afternoon so we are a ‘go’ for tomorrow. Looking forward to getting out on the open water again. Hopefully we will see whales!