I've seen some people launching from Clontarf in a NE, but is it a struggle to get out past the wind shadow?
Is there a strong tide there?
Going there for a BBQ I can't get out of this afternoon and thinking of taking my gear. BOM says 20+ NE and SeaBreeze kinda agrees.
Worth launching from Clontarf and floating down to Middle Head?
Can I get back?
Go and get on the cans instead, you would really struggle getting back and there will be heaps of boats around there today as it is out of the wind. Different story in a SE
The wind shadow can be a real pest. Hard to get back even with formula gear sometimes. A couple of Fridays ago when the tides where big the Friday night twilight racers where struggling to get back to Middle Harbour skiff club with a really strong ebb tide and light winds. Have a look at Chinaman's beach. There is a great park to rig up, barbeque's, toilets etc and a couple tacks you are there.
I live near Rosherville reserve. There are old faded Mosman Council signs saying no windsurfers allowed in the park or on the beach (Chinamans). I think that Balmoral is a much better location in a northeaster though the boats are a nuisance to sail through. I'll send a photo tomorrow. Rangers are very active in the area...
Thanks Regal, never seen that sign must have selective seeing. Hunters Bay is hard to get access to, have to sail through the rocks north of Rocky Point, the boats at Balmoral, they have really closed the whole area off to windsurfers. That's why I have purchased a raceboard so that I can sail out of Middle Harbour Yacht club.
Cant one still launch from the northern end of Balmoral,Taylors Beach?
Provided you can find a spot to park that is.
"No Sailboards Within 60m of Shore"
Slalomfreak, were you off Balmoral out last Thursday afternoon at 3.30pm? I sailed for 50m alongside a yellow sailed wally and raceboard with an enormous sail and then a gust hit and the raceboard accelerated away very, very quickly.
Hi Regal, that was me on the raceboard. I was using 9.8m RS Racing and sailing with one of the other guys that race on Friday nights out of Middle Harbour.
Select to expand quoteregal1 said..
"No Sailboards Within 60m of Shore"
Slalomfreak, were you off Balmoral out last Thursday afternoon at 3.30pm? I sailed for 50m alongside a yellow sailed wally and raceboard with an enormous sail and then a gust hit and the raceboard accelerated away very, very quickly.
Mosman Council would save a lot of money by making a sign showing what you can do instead of what you can't do !!!
You can moor a stack of vessel's anywhere you like as long as they impede the proper use of waterway to everyone else detriment, even if you do only use it once a year.
it's a shame the Mosman council rangers are so 'vigilant' (ie; book whoever they can) and have essentially
scared off windsurfers.
during the week I think the odd person sails off Edwards beach at the northern end. You are supposed to
launch past the buoys but can go straight off the beach if windy enough. During the weekend it seems to
be maxxed out with Mosmanites (and wannabes) in Porsche 4WD and BMW X5's power-walking or SUPing
and then rewarding themselves with a coffee.
still a good spot in NE, as mentioned the south end is a pain through all the boats.
used to sail there a lot in the old days even with wave gear.
NE still funnels in nicely. Later in the arvo when more NNE Bradleys Head would be great but again the
council has metered that to death. Bradleys also one of the best spots in the harbour when W.
Select to expand quotetomp said..
Bradleys also one of the best spots in the harbour when W.
Hey I found Rose Bay was pretty awesome in a W, perhaps it was a WNW. Really nice angle for a blast out the point and back.
Parking and rigging is OK, somehow I have managed to grab the last parking spot next to SUP hire about 6 times in a row.
I want to try Neilson Park/Shark Beach in a NE too, but I am a little concerned about anything breaking. Tide going in or out means a potentially very long swim in a very, very busy harbour.
Can't see how one could sail Bradley's as Maritime would be right onto you sailing across a shipping channel/traffic separation zone. Tomp did you mean more Athol Bay off the Zoo? Would be keen to give Rose Bay a go though.
dean,
Balmoral would still be the preferred launch for NE and during the week no dramas. Come the weekend or
public hols etc. it's so hard to park close enough.
I just meant that Bradley's often appears good later in the arvo especially if more NNE. The Rose Bay/Neilson
Park option would be good if you have the time, I usually don't.
I mostly go for waves if possible but being on the north side makes the Wanda/'gong trip almost too long
during the week. Manly is sometimes a NE option, such a shame it just won't get over 15 knots and if it's
actually 20 knots I'll go to Longie.
Ok. I have also been looking at the wind around Bradley's and how it funnels down the Western Channel.
personally I think the North Head wind meter under reads slightly under for NE and is closer to the mark
for southerly winds but the Harbour graph def over reads NE/NNE.
Agree with North Head, and the Harbour wind meter is just off Chowder Bay so a bit of funnelling off the rocks with a NE'ly. Anyone sailed much off 40 basket's in NE'ly?
There's lot's of room to rig at the south end of Balmoral but Dean is right. I went there yesterday at 4.40pm and I couldn't get park legally until 5.00pm. The boats are intimidating to sail through. I will ring Mosman council today as I think that bylaw regarding windsurfers in Rosherville is very old and clearly outdated.
I love sailing around these areas. I go out from Little Manly, Clontauf, Chinamans and MH16ft SC. In the video I went out from Balmoral SC and I am embarrassed to say I spent over $20 in parking. So never again. The island is great to set up for video. This was a training video for Adam Craven and I before the downunder pro. Adam spanked me downwind 
Select to expand quoteJustinL said..
I love sailing around these areas. I go out from Little Manly, Clontauf, Chinamans and MH16ft SC. In the video I went out from Balmoral SC and I am embarrassed to say I spent over $20 in parking. So never again. The island is great to set up for video. This was a training video for Adam Craven and I before the downunder pro. Adam spanked me downwind
If this were the case at the Nationals Justin, I'd still be celebrating! Cheers for the video mate
Select to expand quoteDean 424 said..
Anyone sailed much off 40 basket's in NE'ly?
No. But I fully intend to. Might be a slight walk from parking to the rigging area but there's plenty of grass and a nice launch spot. It wouldn't take much to get out past the boats and into some clean wind. Family can enjoy the beach; win-win. 
Downwinder to Rose Bay?
I have a Mosman parking sticker so its no financial penalty. Favourite sail is from Balmoral to the cafe at North Head quarantine station then a downwind back home. No interest in the ghost & paranormal tour.
Both options sound interesting, but driving around to Rose Bay would be too much of an effort for me. Regal sailing up to Quarantine or even right up to the Manly aquarium could be excellent in a NE especially on a race board or formula wouldn't take too long. I got a Mosman parking permit at reduced price through being a member a Middle Harbour skiff club. 
Nice Video Justin.
