Hi there I was exited to see you out on the gippsland lakes We sailed past you on my yacht southern cross thanks for your movies you are an inspiration
Thanks for such a positive comment. I Really need to get out to some new cruising but keep getting other projects going that take up my time. Was it Thursday last week? I was on my way back from the Perry River, which is a real favoritet these days, and passed a Southern Cross heading west towards Hollands Landing. If it was you the boat was sailing really well. I always look out for Southern Cross's out on the water being my last boat. They are great, robust and forgiving sailing boats that I have a great respect and fondness for. Cheers Mark
Awesome stuff John. How do you reckon the little Hartley would do out in the middle of the bay out to Mud Islands? Considering a small trailer sailer myself, they’re just such a versatile and cost effective solution for local cruising. Cheers, Matt
If you pick your weather the TS16 will do the mud Island trip no problem. Just pick a weather window with a big strong high coming with not too strong southerlies in front of it. A pressure in the high of 1030 or greater will usually mean it is slow moving and will hang around for a few days. If you leave from one of the closer boat ramps its only a couple of hours to get out there tops, meaning you can do it as a day trip if not sure about overnight. Cheers Mark
Another ripper video Mark, good to see the RL out for another run. The Gipplsand lakes is the TS-cruising gift that keeps on giving. I think you’re boat is quite possibly the best setup trailer sailer I’ve seen, so many brilliant cruising features. Do you have any plans on doing some offshore cruising at all? I reckon Port Welshpool to the Furneaux Group would be tops. Cheers, Matt
Hi Matt, I certainly have offshore plans, just need to get weather windows and time windows with family commitments to line up. Have been planning a trip from Lakes Entrance out to the Kent group. Deal and Erith Island has been on the list for a while now but will only do it with a reasonably regular weather cycle developing for March. It would be an overnight trip of around 25 hours from Lakes entrance across shipping channels. The only issue is I only have the first half of March to get that good weather. 40 knots across the areas a couple of days ago and 20 to 25 for most of this week doesn't make me hopeful but it can change quickly over February. Cheers Mark
Hi Mark, we have just brought a RL 28, we are going to take her up to the Whitsundays in July and cruise around until November. However it needs a few things. I need some jib sheets lengths to buy, what lengths do you run, and also help on rigging the backstay when we step the mast. The owner is unable to assist in these things. Love the videos and we will be doing the Prom and beyond in March next year. Cheers Pete
Hi Peter, Congratulations on your boat purchase. I have always used 10m ropes on the jib as that is what Whitworths sells in discount prepackaged lengths. They are about right depending on what jib you are using. Unless the mast rigging has been changed the backstay on an RL28 doesn't hold the mast up, it is used for changing the shape of the mast and sail using a small block and tackle on the vee wire that the pulley at the end of the backstay should attach to. What holds up the mast are the swept back side stays. My mast sits on the boat when packed with the base of the mast forward. When setting up I move the mast back until the end lines up with the mast bracket on the cabin roof. I then use the spinnaker pole as a gin pole alone with a jib sheet to pull the mast up. The side stays will go tight when vertical and then I attach the forestay turnbuckle to secure the mast and rigging. The side rigging should stay attached when packed up. I would check your boat, are the side rigging bolts rearward of the mast step? Are all the side stays still attached and in place? Is the mast bottom end forward on your packed up boat? If so your mast can be put up without the rear stay being tight as described above. Once up you can work out the rear stay, just make sure it is not too short when lifting the mast. If you answered no to the above questions your rigging has been changed from standard and without seeing it cannot really advise you. Just be aware it is a heavy mast and working out a way to raise it is pretty essential unless you have 2 strong blokes handy to manhandle it up. For memory my "Melbourne to Portarlington" video has some footage of my original lifting system. Hope this helps. Cheers Mark
What's the tidal range in those lakes and rivers? It can't be much if you can nose the boat into the reeds for the night. Seems like it's a very similar set up to Lake Cootharaba and the Upper Noosa River. Have you been sailing there? The tide flows in and out of the river at the southern end of L. Cootharaba, but the lake is so big it has almoust no effect on Lake levels. It probabily has more to do with atmospheric pressure and recent rainfall in the catchment. The upper Noosa River is very pretty, with the tea stained water providing great reflections. From Fig Tree Point the river narrows and is windy and it's a bit tricky to navigate without getting the mast tangled up in overhanging trees. It widens before reaching Harrie's Hut. Fuel powered motors are aloud up to Campesite 3 and it's electric or paddle power from then on. There's lots of great walking tracks in the area too. I'd like to get to the Gippsland Lakes one day.
Haven't had the pleasure of sailing Lake Cootharaba and the upper Noosa, sounds like an absolute gem, so many places to visit and not enough time for them all! The Gippsland lakes are tidal but as you get further west from Lakes entrance where the ocean entrance is the tidal effect gets less and less. Halfway through the lakes at Paynesville the tidal influence is minimal but the influence of prevailing winds and pressure systems becomes more significant. The connecting waterway McLennans Strait that connects lake Wellington to the rest of the lakes demonstrates the effect well. The current in the strait changes direction to flow in the same direction as the main wind as the water in the lakes is pushed and banks up. The pressure system differences across the lakes can do the same but usually when there are large pressure differentials over a short distance the winds are also strong which probably has the greater effect. You might see Neringa up Lake Cootharaba way sometime, I have added it to my list of would like to visit! Cheers Mark
Hi Tony, yes have been in Metung now for 1 year and 2 weeks. Lovely spot but do miss the bay sailing. The boat has been on the jetty for 6 months now and I am doing the occasional Lakes trip. Been a lot of time taken up with renovating the old house we moved into and helping out kids who are both interstate now. Been trying to plan a bass strait trip out to Deal Island but with all other commitments only have a small window of time in March that needs to line up with weather windows. Last couple of weeks been a regular cycle of gales so looking a bit dubious at the moment. Fingers crossed. Cheers Mark
@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES very glad the move was successful. Strangely my wife and I sold up in Surrey Hills and moved to Eltham and we couldn’t be happier. How about another review of your yacht’s equipment and what you would change. Keep safe Tony W
@@anthonywoollcombe9767 I see what I can do but it may be a few months away with all the family commitments at the moment. Truth is there is not much on the boat I would change 🙂 Glad your move to Eltham was a good one, lovely part of the world. Cheers Mark
Hi Mark, noticed you are using an auto tiller over the outboard. Wondering what type it is and and whether you have difficulties with the compass being so close to the motor in the well. I also sail an RL 28 'Puwina' and have had difficulties grtting my Simrad PT10 auto tiller to maintain course and thought the proximity to the motor might be the cause.
Yes the proximity to the motor can make the tiller pilot a bit twitchy sometimes. Mine is a raymarine ST2000 but they all use an electronic compass that can be adversely affected but electrical an magnetic interference. Having said that mine behaves adequately in the position it is in. There are days that it has unexpected variations and sometimes after many hours of no problem which doesn't make sense. Sadly the solar charge controller and electric outboard supply are also directly below it (only place they would fit) and I am sure that also has an effect. The only time it really is a problem is when I am trying to make a mark, need to keep an eye on it. In the open I find that even though it can vary a bit it still steers the course on average. It may also depend on the position of the electronice compass withing the unit. The simrad may be closer to the motor end. Cheers Mark
Hi there I was exited to see you out on the gippsland lakes
We sailed past you on my yacht southern cross thanks for your movies you are an inspiration
Thanks for such a positive comment. I Really need to get out to some new cruising but keep getting other projects going that take up my time. Was it Thursday last week? I was on my way back from the Perry River, which is a real favoritet these days, and passed a Southern Cross heading west towards Hollands Landing. If it was you the boat was sailing really well. I always look out for Southern Cross's out on the water being my last boat. They are great, robust and forgiving sailing boats that I have a great respect and fondness for. Cheers Mark
Nice video Mark, thanks for sharing!
Thanks if I ever venture up there I have now a good heads up
I find ALL your video's worth watching . I sail a TS16 and have wanted to sail to ALL the places you've been to. including Mud island.
Awesome stuff John. How do you reckon the little Hartley would do out in the middle of the bay out to Mud Islands? Considering a small trailer sailer myself, they’re just such a versatile and cost effective solution for local cruising.
Cheers,
Matt
If you pick your weather the TS16 will do the mud Island trip no problem. Just pick a weather window with a big strong high coming with not too strong southerlies in front of it. A pressure in the high of 1030 or greater will usually mean it is slow moving and will hang around for a few days. If you leave from one of the closer boat ramps its only a couple of hours to get out there tops, meaning you can do it as a day trip if not sure about overnight. Cheers Mark
@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES Easy run for a TS16, We can easily beach her for an overnighter. We Did the MPONR and a few other runs. No probs.
Great vid Mark well done.
Thanks 👍
Another ripper video Mark, good to see the RL out for another run. The Gipplsand lakes is the TS-cruising gift that keeps on giving. I think you’re boat is quite possibly the best setup trailer sailer I’ve seen, so many brilliant cruising features. Do you have any plans on doing some offshore cruising at all? I reckon Port Welshpool to the Furneaux Group would be tops.
Cheers,
Matt
Hi Matt, I certainly have offshore plans, just need to get weather windows and time windows with family commitments to line up. Have been planning a trip from Lakes Entrance out to the Kent group. Deal and Erith Island has been on the list for a while now but will only do it with a reasonably regular weather cycle developing for March. It would be an overnight trip of around 25 hours from Lakes entrance across shipping channels. The only issue is I only have the first half of March to get that good weather. 40 knots across the areas a couple of days ago and 20 to 25 for most of this week doesn't make me hopeful but it can change quickly over February. Cheers Mark
Hi Mark, we have just brought a RL 28, we are going to take her up to the Whitsundays in July and cruise around until November. However it needs a few things. I need some jib sheets lengths to buy, what lengths do you run, and also help on rigging the backstay when we step the mast. The owner is unable to assist in these things. Love the videos and we will be doing the Prom and beyond in March next year. Cheers Pete
Hi Peter,
Congratulations on your boat purchase. I have always used 10m ropes on the jib as that is what Whitworths sells in discount prepackaged lengths. They are about right depending on what jib you are using.
Unless the mast rigging has been changed the backstay on an RL28 doesn't hold the mast up, it is used for changing the shape of the mast and sail using a small block and tackle on the vee wire that the pulley at the end of the backstay should attach to. What holds up the mast are the swept back side stays. My mast sits on the boat when packed with the base of the mast forward. When setting up I move the mast back until the end lines up with the mast bracket on the cabin roof. I then use the spinnaker pole as a gin pole alone with a jib sheet to pull the mast up. The side stays will go tight when vertical and then I attach the forestay turnbuckle to secure the mast and rigging. The side rigging should stay attached when packed up.
I would check your boat, are the side rigging bolts rearward of the mast step? Are all the side stays still attached and in place? Is the mast bottom end forward on your packed up boat? If so your mast can be put up without the rear stay being tight as described above. Once up you can work out the rear stay, just make sure it is not too short when lifting the mast. If you answered no to the above questions your rigging has been changed from standard and without seeing it cannot really advise you. Just be aware it is a heavy mast and working out a way to raise it is pretty essential unless you have 2 strong blokes handy to manhandle it up. For memory my "Melbourne to Portarlington" video has some footage of my original lifting system. Hope this helps.
Cheers
Mark
What's the tidal range in those lakes and rivers? It can't be much if you can nose the boat into the reeds for the night. Seems like it's a very similar set up to Lake Cootharaba and the Upper Noosa River. Have you been sailing there? The tide flows in and out of the river at the southern end of L. Cootharaba, but the lake is so big it has almoust no effect on Lake levels. It probabily has more to do with atmospheric pressure and recent rainfall in the catchment. The upper Noosa River is very pretty, with the tea stained water providing great reflections. From Fig Tree Point the river narrows and is windy and it's a bit tricky to navigate without getting the mast tangled up in overhanging trees. It widens before reaching Harrie's Hut. Fuel powered motors are aloud up to Campesite 3 and it's electric or paddle power from then on. There's lots of great walking tracks in the area too. I'd like to get to the Gippsland Lakes one day.
Haven't had the pleasure of sailing Lake Cootharaba and the upper Noosa, sounds like an absolute gem, so many places to visit and not enough time for them all!
The Gippsland lakes are tidal but as you get further west from Lakes entrance where the ocean entrance is the tidal effect gets less and less. Halfway through the lakes at Paynesville the tidal influence is minimal but the influence of prevailing winds and pressure systems becomes more significant. The connecting waterway McLennans Strait that connects lake Wellington to the rest of the lakes demonstrates the effect well. The current in the strait changes direction to flow in the same direction as the main wind as the water in the lakes is pushed and banks up. The pressure system differences across the lakes can do the same but usually when there are large pressure differentials over a short distance the winds are also strong which probably has the greater effect.
You might see Neringa up Lake Cootharaba way sometime, I have added it to my list of would like to visit!
Cheers Mark
Lovely video Mark……..did you move to Metung? Cheers Tony Woollcombe
Hi Tony, yes have been in Metung now for 1 year and 2 weeks. Lovely spot but do miss the bay sailing. The boat has been on the jetty for 6 months now and I am doing the occasional Lakes trip. Been a lot of time taken up with renovating the old house we moved into and helping out kids who are both interstate now. Been trying to plan a bass strait trip out to Deal Island but with all other commitments only have a small window of time in March that needs to line up with weather windows. Last couple of weeks been a regular cycle of gales so looking a bit dubious at the moment. Fingers crossed. Cheers Mark
@@TRAILERYACHTADVENTURES very glad the move was successful. Strangely my wife and I sold up in Surrey Hills and moved to Eltham and we couldn’t be happier.
How about another review of your yacht’s equipment and what you would change.
Keep safe Tony W
@@anthonywoollcombe9767 I see what I can do but it may be a few months away with all the family commitments at the moment. Truth is there is not much on the boat I would change 🙂 Glad your move to Eltham was a good one, lovely part of the world. Cheers Mark
Thanks cobba
Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Mark
Hi Mark, noticed you are using an auto tiller over the outboard. Wondering what type it is and and whether you have difficulties with the compass being so close to the motor in the well. I also sail an RL 28 'Puwina' and have had difficulties grtting my Simrad PT10 auto tiller to maintain course and thought the proximity to the motor might be the cause.
Yes the proximity to the motor can make the tiller pilot a bit twitchy sometimes. Mine is a raymarine ST2000 but they all use an electronic compass that can be adversely affected but electrical an magnetic interference.
Having said that mine behaves adequately in the position it is in. There are days that it has unexpected variations and sometimes after many hours of no problem which doesn't make sense. Sadly the solar charge controller and electric outboard supply are also directly below it (only place they would fit) and I am sure that also has an effect. The only time it really is a problem is when I am trying to make a mark, need to keep an eye on it. In the open I find that even though it can vary a bit it still steers the course on average. It may also depend on the position of the electronice compass withing the unit. The simrad may be closer to the motor end. Cheers Mark
that looks like Florida
From what I have been told the lakes have a lot in common with Florida, both great places to sail!