You can read, ask questions and look at videos til the cows come home. It's the same as if you were learning to drive a car, asking questions, reading and watching driving videos doesn't mean you will be able to drive a car. There are so many factors to consider in bad conditions and Mother Nature will keep throwing curveballs at you. Nothing beats experience. Reading, asking questions and videos will certainly tell you how to set your boat up to handle these conditions but will not turn you into a competent skipper. As has been said in this thread " You need time on water" I know a fellow who had little experience and tried doing exactly what you are look at, in the same area and he ended up on the floor of his 36 foot boat praying. If the boat is a good buy and a good boat, truck it home, gain some experience and then tackle an adventure.
Interesting clouds, Lydia. Looks like Cirrus outflow from a big Cumulus at high levels and a roll cloud, maybe signifying a gust front, at low level.
OK OK Total capitulation...the Dunc 29 needs a good workout in Spencers Gulf and moored in the marina as a holiday destination. No Ocean for now ...not for a while and not without an experienced crew. Was led to believe the ocean was more friendly than what you folk have suggested even by the salesman selling the yacht...suppose he would get to sell another yacht ha!!! thank you people...will stick around here and learn a bit. Was surprised that the 10hp would not be sufficient. Southace is probably earning his keep with his charges but a pity it is so expensive...keeps a lot of people out of yachting when we need more in the game for political reasons. Our local club has had a few deaths lately with no one replacing them...will be a trend.
I spent at least a year from memory traveling back and forth between Perth and Brisbane once a month every month when I bought my boat. Taking it out into Morteon Bay getting use to it and making subtle changes that worked for me before sailing her home to Perth. Like you IIenart, I had Low Mid Hi priorities on jobs that were somewhat fluid in importance (learning that I needed new engine mounts changed everything).
Hippop, you could well stick your nose out, turn left and have calm seas and favourable wind leaving you to wonder what all the big deal is. Hell, I got lucky a few times in a moment of naivety. You are obviously no fool, but you are better off on land wishing you were out there, then being out there wishing you were on land.
How good is overnight Tatroubridge Shoals
In one of my book, Watch full blown storm from Althorpe Island cove,
make you shiver. / 10m swell with 3m waves on top.
This doesn't sound like capitulation to me.
It sounds like a man preparing to have fun with his new boat exploring an interesting part of Australia. I gather that you're retired and have the time to head over to Adelaide for a few weeks at a time.
I'm kind of jealous.
If you look through the profiles of the other respondents you'll find that they mostly have far more experience than you or I. The advice being given seems sound and well intentioned.
Where is home base eventually to be? I gather that talk of Portland was just a staging point (in company with a delivery skipper) before taking the boat onwards yourself. One of your earlier posts mentioned trailer-sailing Gippsland Lakes, so maybe Paynesville / Lakes Entrance?
temp home at portland yacht club to learn the ropes re ocean sailing before bringing it home to paynesville...no time limit can travel.
where is the best place to buy offshore nautical maps for navigation adelaide to gippsland (lakes entrance)
BoatBooks online: www.boatbooks-aust.com.au/ at $40 a pop.
When you get to Lakes Entrance, check the weather & tidal info first (plus the days before arrival): www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au/boating/waves-tides-and-weather/lakes-entrance-waves-tides-and-weather/
and somewhere on the Gipps Ports website are instructions & photos for entering the bar.
Or you can photocopy some charts. Paper charts are good. Electronic charts are good too, but not so good for an overview/passage planning.
www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ms20140716-gippsland-lakes-ocean-entrance-and-bar-marks-in-line.pdf
hipop, buy this fabulous book: www.cyav.com.au/cruising
You will enjoy countless hours armchair cruising the Victorian coast and imbibe pricelss knowledge.
Cheers, Graeme
As far as angles to the wind, you might like Ed's talk on the 98 hobart at 28:30.