Hi Guys,
New member, purchased first boat about 18 months ago, Cruise Craft 720 Explorer Hardtop and have been running out of Manly Trailer Boat Club up to Flinders, Hutchies, Deep Tempest and alike - I have no friends with boats so have been trying to learn and understand the idiosyncrasies of the Comby Bar to safely cross it and the decision making when looking at the weather on when to go or not go. Basically I have adopted the following rules that I work by - Wind less than 15 knts, Swell 1.5 mtrs or less and out of the East or South - no go on NE or North Swell direction, Point Lookout Wave Rider Bouy less than 1.5 > 1.6 mtrs indicating. Anything greater than this I don't normally go out and to be truthful I rarely go outside with winds above 10 knts.
To cross Comby Bar I have adopted these rules - if the above parameters have been met, wind, swell, tide all running the same direction then all good to cross. If any parameters are working against each other eg.. tide against wind and swell, I will only cross if wind is very light. If wind is up above 5 knots and opposite parameters exist I will normally play it safe and travel out between Venus Banks and Salamander Banks up the North East Channel to the Trench and then turn right and go across to Flinders from there.
Can you guys let me know if I'm on the right page with my thinking and what to watch for so as not to get caught out ?
I am doing a South Passage Bar Crossing Course with Bill Corten tomorrow just as a point of interest.
Thanks in advance
Terry
