Yes, like Lydia said, stay off the weed.
In Kent Bay and the east side of East Kangaroo Island, I found it impossible to anchor in about 20 knot winds (I have a #3 Sarca Excel).
I don't have a fisherman anchor but from what I hear and read, many regard these as the best option in weed. But most places have sand patches you can hook.
Our Cruising Guide gives great information on all anchorages in Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands - web format on our website or download our electronic version suitable for most devices to use offline.
jackandjude.com//books/tas-notes/
This also seems a good place to mention our latest DVD covering two Tasmanian destinations - Port Davey and Preservation/Rum islands. Take a peek at the SUMMER 16 trailer here.
WEED can be a problem in the Furneaux Group. An Admiralty works OK, bit cumbersome to handle and stow. We've been using a Manson BOSS all over Australia and have never had a problem. Some of the fishermen use the Manson Supreme, it cuts through the kelp and ribbon grass. Same trouble in SA and WA, ribbon grass is hard to pierce.
Cheers,
jack
Cap'n Jack, dont know where to start. You, like so many others since joining in the last week or so, have covered so much advice territory.
First, you mentioned picks, and of course Lydia said "learn how to anchor in kelp". A Triton 721 at only 3 tons fully provisioned is a tiny boat but, having read in the past about kelp, I have recently put my 25lb Manson Sup on the stern and a 35lb Sup onto my bower chain (250'×8mm) in the hope that extreme pick weight for a small boat will help the stuff to drop thru the kelp rather than float across the branches. Jack, what say ye? ...>>>.i often look at google images to get a different perspective from that which the chart shows.
Those narrow which eventually lead to Dunalley are the kind of places where I'll anchor in an open roadstead (irrestectine of the weather) rather than go thru other in only the very best of conditions.
Yesterday i went to jackn'jude and wanted to download you older Tas guide and I was ok until I got to the "paypal" bit because I've never bought anything off the internet (at all !) Aand whilst the credid card bit was easy the ppal bit through me.....sounds easy for some but I'm not only a luddite but a bit slow, things not familian cause me to go into shutdown.
Rather than buy Memorymaps Quickcharts for half price on the net I spent 8 hours and double dollars going to Boatbooks shop.
I'll try the paypal thing again soon ....to see if the mental block (lead) has lifted.
Looking back, you mentioned "pot boil bar" and the "erith group" rip.....those places in a tiny boat are not at all attractive to me. To be honest, going from Eden to "inner/outer sisters" heaving to in the strait for a snooze in daylight, Babel....going down the eastern side of F island is more of a plan for me but others will possibly know better. Because I have a reasonable handle on my brains limitations (read war neurosis & stress levels) I think that I need to steer clear of the nasty places which some may see as a challenge. Meaning, I'd rather be cut in half by a ship than have to call for help (or much worse)
My aim is bieng in Hobart, Pt Arthur, Denison, d'Entrecasteaux, ...etc to be around nice people and places rather than become yet another quintessential adventurer in a little boat. Make sense? I really want to walk around Sarah Island, just to step back in time but I'm buggered if I want to be on a notorious lee shore totally alone and then to have to go through "HELL" to get there. I make mistakes and I really don't want be in the Strachan local rag.
Thanks for your time and caring Jack, I'll go back to read the rest of you posts.
Hooroo.Brian
Know what Wong'....unless someone tell me otherwise, I'm going down the east side of Flinders because my brain is not capable of staying of the rocks on the western side. I can see that the w side is prettier with plenty of hidey holes, but I really need to live without the stress.
I'd rather anchor in 50' of water with 40knots on the nose on a lee shore that try to do what normal people do. Were I not alone, probably a different story.
I'm hoping that bieng seriously "over ground tackled" will allow me anchor where wiser people would rather not. This boat pitches and rolls like a real pig but over the last 7 years it's become norman....whatever that is ??
Wong' thanks Mate
P.S. watch this space.....leave Syd, say, mid Jan for Lydias Feb crossing.....plenty of Telstra coverage (with my patch cable) ....a crystal ball would be ni...........maybe frightening.
Fingers crossed.
Good thing is...I ain't afraid (I think).
I personally like to anchor in sand 2 to 4 meter depth on a lee shore in 30 to 40 knots if possible With the whole box of chain out.
problem with 50' depth is you can't see what your anchoring in. Rocks can be very painfull ( mate lost his Manson supreme last week due to rocks and Deep water!) I don't enjoy arriving in unknown water after dark and having to anchor into the Unknown bottom. Charts are not that accurate and google earth/navionics can be your best mate in these situations. If your in 50' in the wind changes from lee shore to onshore it's time to leave strait away.
most of our islands have anchorages on the lee shore due to the prevailing wind patterns. And this is where the sand develops and often a low protected side of the island.
I personally like to anchor in sand 2 to 4 meter depth on a lee shore in 30 to 40 knots if possible With the whole box of chain out.
problem with 50' depth is you can't see what your anchoring in. Rocks can be very painfull ( mate lost his Manson supreme last week due to rocks and Deep water!) I don't enjoy arriving in unknown water after dark and having to anchor into the Unknown bottom. Charts are not that accurate and google earth/navionics can be your best mate in these situations. If your in 50' in the wind changes from lee shore to onshore it's time to leave strait away.
most of our islands have anchorages on the lee shore due to the prevailing wind patterns. And this is where the sand develops and often a low protected side of the island.
Im with you Ace . A few metres of sand with an empty box and we're sleepin like babies. Re: 50 feet, I was once falling asleep heading north just off Bondi Beach in a 30kt blow from the S/E. I went in close to about 40ft of water, let heaps out with a hell of a snubber, hit the cot and never gave it another thought (albeit I was bounchg around like a cork with my head at the anchor bulkhead..my normal sleep).
Agree 1000%.... it's nice to know there are no ledges or kelp beds on the bottom. Thats why I prefer to anchor off beaches rather than attempt hairy entrances.
I've not yet been to Lakes E but I'd anchor out in hell rather than go through in less than ideal water.
Cheers Ace.
I didnt anchor in any kelp at any time in the 3 months I cruised there. Mostly mud and tannen black waters up rivers....etc. one time I sailed through kelp and wondered what would happen if wrapped around the prop. seen kelp in 30 meters right to the surface while passaging last year from S.A to Batmans bay I don't think it's a big problem to worry about.
i had a marsh anchor around Tassie to Queensland till the whitworth swivel broke upon retrieval. Lucky I found a new Manson supreme while diving and used that till I sold my last yacht. now again I have the Marsh and never drag 12 tonne Of boat.
This Navionics web app comes in handy too:
webapp.navionics.com/?lang=en&ticket=ST-1475267855r6INyaMkuV-B9tySTwq
The Manson I rate number 2 after the Marsh number 1. Down side to the Manson retrieval on the bow and possible loss if snagged in rocks/reef hence why I found a new one while diving 100 meters port of my location. I used the retrieval slide with some breakable twine/cable ties attached to the main eye but was still worried about retrieval in reef most of the time even when I had scuba onboard.
The Manson I rate number 2 after the Marsh number 1. Down side to the Manson retrieval on the bow and possible loss if snagged in rocks/reef hence why I found a new one while diving 100 meters port of my location. I used the retrieval slide with some breakable twine/cable ties attached to the main eye but was still worried about retrieval in reef most of the time even when I had scuba onboard.
Ace, clearly the Marsh as #1 is a no brainer but if I put another pick on this boat the thing will either sink or go backwards.
Edit ....actually getting rid of the manson 25 off the stern and putting a Marsh isnt stupid either....if i find myself in ONLY kelp eg Pt Arthur, then i could put eg a 25lb Marsh onto the bow chain and put the M35 temporarily on the stern.....not silly.
Not silly Lydia ??
I'll look to see if Marsh have an east coast dealer because I don't buy off the 'net.
I'll have a look......you know,.....a better arrangement, covers all bottoms
Marsh went into recivership about a year or so. Made by industrial springs in adelaide and designed by a port Lincoln fishermen/sailor. Not sure if you can still purchase a new one but worth a try.
The Manson I rate number 2 after the Marsh number 1. Down side to the Manson retrieval on the bow and possible loss if snagged in rocks/reef hence why I found a new one while diving 100 meters port of my location. I used the retrieval slide with some breakable twine/cable ties attached to the main eye but was still worried about retrieval in reef most of the time even when I had scuba onboard.
Ace, clearly the Marsh as #1 is a no brainer but if I put another pick on this boat the thing will either sink or go backwards.
Edit ....actually getting rid of the manson 25 off the stern and putting a Marsh isnt stupid either....if i find myself in ONLY kelp eg Pt Arthur, then i could put eg a 25lb Marsh onto the bow chain and put the M35 temporarily on the stern.....not silly.
Not silly Lydia ??
I'll look to see if Marsh have an east coast dealer because I don't buy off the 'net.
I'll have a look......you know,.....a better arrangement, covers all bottoms
Industrial springs and steel, the new owners (John Marsh) no longer make Marsh picks.
Seems the only chance is a second hand one and you can bet IF one was available then they'd want telephone numbers for it....and, and, I only buy from shops. Never the internet.
Bugger !!!
Your quick on the Google try north haven marine fuel and suppliers,. Very helpful and heaps of. Stock. Freight on anchors can be a bitch.
Brian you will get kelp plenty of other places as well.
Standard drill is to steam around until you find a patch of good sand, drop the anchor on the windward side and get it to set before it drags into the kelp.
Never rely on a anchor just dropped into the kelp.
If it has not set repeat the process.
I favour the Manson Supreme because it sets so quickly.
if you are not sure about the bottom find somewhere that you are.
My Manson has never ever not bit instantly in years except for once in kelp at the outer entrance to Batemans Bay near Tolgate Islands.
North Haven's website is being rebuilt and and so I'll have to call on monday because fuel pump people may not know about Marsh price, availability and /or freight.
If I get a Marsh I'll have to unload a $380 25lb Supreme for free to......no idea. I don't buy or sell on the internet...mental block!
Then buy from North haven, pay a motza in freight to.....I have NOWHERE to send it.....
Given that going with a Marsh is just too bloody hard.....I'll stick with the 2 Mansons 35 & 25 stern and save money by adopting L's kelp technique.
If I could walk into a Whitworths store and walk out with a Marsh then an alternative type on the rear would be easy. But it just ain't poss.
Thanks everyone, really appreciated.
Hi l've been following this topic with interest as l am also planning a trip to Tasie later this year,there's been some good information and advice offered. l also sail single handed, and would be concerned about spending 3 or 4 day's in a area with such a high concentration of shipping! there traveling at 18 knts and your horizon is less than 2 mile's that's less than 10 min and there on top of you. Another option you have is to continue from Lakes Entrance to Port Welshpool which is a good deep well buoyed entrance , From there run down the Prom coast to Refuge Cove and wait for good weather then island hop south, 5 hr's to Hogan isle ,5 hr's to Deal then down to Flinder's isle . It will take longer but the advantage's are that you cross the shipping separation lanes at 90 deg , get plenty of sleep and see some lovely places . For me that's what cruising is about .
Personal I'd head for Refuge Cove rather than Welshpool as long as it's not peak hour
It's a mill pond if you can tuck in
Hey you two, Hayden (hgo2 & Laccona) . For years I thought....Gabo, Lakes Entrance, Refuge, Hogan, Deal , down one side of Flinders or the other and so on. But for some reason, in the last year or so, I've had the mindset Gabo, Sisters Islands, and down the east coast of Flinders. And I'd be lying if I hadn't been jst a bit nervous of three days in the Strait in such a small boat. Been admitting it to mysel, not a problem.
But your way Laccona has multiple advantages and it isn't like I'm in any hurry. I've driven thru L/E and thought it was a lovely place and really wanted to see it again. Haydn's boat is in Western Port and he owes me a shower & and I owe him a feed. Refuge then to Hogan, Deal, West side of Flinders...Killiecrankie, fancied living at Lady Barron so maybe worth a look. Or go down between Clarke and Portland.
Only downside, and there's only one, I'll miss the wooden boat festival but not to worry....it's not like I'm going to Tas for the festival.
I was thinking about an ICOM stand alone AIS but cliff faces don't run ais. And a Furuno 1623 radar on this little boat is going to look...hellooooooo !!I was wondering how I was going to give Haydn his free grub before he heads up the east coast.
Easy decision. And I wanted to climb Deal Island too.
Thanks gentlemen, big load off. DONE, too easy, right decision.
WELL !!!!
There's a pub and shop in Port Welshpool.
Best I not go there
Heard on the grapevine.....Haydn doesn't drink alcohol.....he eats it.
As an aside re my heading off to Tassie: Does anyone know if any of the following islands: Hogan, Deal, Babel, Sisters, or Schouten ...do any of these places have drop bears? I know Flinders is now free of them, but the others?
Was thinking of using my bivvie bag occasionally but as DB's attack the throat I'd probably not risk it.
Any advice appreciated.