for all you victorian sailors out there, here's an interesting question:
if two Taipan sailors were to sail any of the following routes:
1. geelong - melbourne (docklands)
2. geelong - queenscliff
3. queenscliff - sorrento

does anyone have any idea of the length of time that some of these might take, or of the sort of equipment that it might be useful to have aboard

thanks for your help,
Alex

From experience at sailing at St.Leonards - check the tide charts first.!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

G'day Alex,

Definately do what Marcus suggests - Read tide chart carefully! Tidal flow around the south of the bay is verrry strong.

I'd check navigation charts for the proposed trips. Some areas near where you're planning to travel get down to less than 1 metre at low tide. Also for this area beware of shipping they don't like us playing in their lane.

Know your navigation marks as there are several hazards on these routes.

Drop down and see the Geelong branch of Australian Volunteer Coastguard, see Peter the Commander. He has great knowledge of the area of your proposed trips and could also give you suggestions about time and what to take.

With some planning these could be some good trips, enjoy. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I may be relocating to Lorne. Any cat sailing there? Does that coast allow a safe sail from Lorne to Ocean Grove area?

Why it housing so expensive in Lorne?

Not sure if there is club at Lorne, there may be, if not there are some close by.

Housing is expensive because it is close to Geelong and Melbourne, and is seen as a major tourist destination. I don't know for sure but there would be fair percentage of the houses that are holiday homes and holiday rentals.

Why the move to Lorne????

Looks like I will be relocating in Nov or Dec this year to Vic. Looking at basing myself at Port Melbourne but may have to make the odd trip around to Sommers as I have a quiet a few mates racing there.

Moving to Hoppers (Family) before veiwing to buy around Port Melbourne or Williamstown.

Hi David,

all cat sailors welcome in Vic. even seppos. Closest cat club would be Torquay I think. Good fun sailing off the beach into real ocean. Mostly Hobies sail there, but friendly little club, out of shack on the beach.

Melboune (Williamstown, just near docklands) to Geelong is the annual Geelong Week passage race! Its 34nm! In terms of time... that depends on wind direction, strength etc!
The bay can be a real challenge at times, wind can change quickly, and die out quickly. During this passage race this year I was on a Sprint750 tri! We had the kite up for the whole race, sometimes we were doing over 20kts, but in corio bay we parked for over an hour!
The best thing you could take on a journey like this is a second boat! Mobile phones work on the bay to!

I would have thought that the time for these “passages” would have depended on several things – sailing ability, water conditions, wind strength and direction – BUT most importantly, How much beer you can carry and whether your “crew” was a beautiful, nubile 18 year old female who liked wearing (or not) teeny teeny bikini’s as her favourite sailing gear and also found YOU “irresistible”,

Another meaning for the term "passage race"!!!

Oh no he didn't!