Gnaraloo boating advice

 G'day everyone, 

I'm heading up to gnaraloo in a few weeks time and taking the boat with me for the 1st time. I'm just after some advice on what's the maximum size swell that is safe to come in and out of the bay? And if anyone has any coordinates for a safe track in and out of the bay, or any pointers on which way to get out of the bay then that would be awesome.

cheers Paul 


Faulkner Family's picture

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 never been there myself but

Wed, 2017-07-26 20:00

 never been there myself but have been told by several that you need to make sure your trailor is in top shape and double check all bolts as the track can knock the stuffing out of the trailor

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

Paul_86's picture

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 Yeah just done some work to

Wed, 2017-07-26 20:05

 Yeah just done some work to the trailer, new tyres, springs, hubs, bearings, rollers and adjusted the skids, new led lights all working too so the trailers as good as it's going to get. 

Usually go to warroora and Ningaloo station so I know what I'm in for. 

Cheers 

sea-kem's picture

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 I'll deffinitely come back

Wed, 2017-07-26 20:28

 I'll deffinitely come back to you on the weekned Paul with a  mark to head out of the bay on and a couple of spots to try. Honestly I wouldn't head out of that bay on anything bigger than 2.4m There are a few big bommies in the middle of the bay that surge up outta nowhere on the bigger swells. I've always found coming in the trickier part especially on a low tide as that's where it lifts. Get your crew to keep a look out starboard and I tend to try and ride the back of the swells. If you have good weather though and lower swells you won't have any drama's. Once you hit the  bay mark I give you, drop your lures in and troll right out into the mid 30's especially if the water temp is up a bit the Mackies love it. Fark I hope you get the good weather.

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Paul_86's picture

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 Yeah cheers mate, there is

Wed, 2017-07-26 20:39

 Yeah cheers mate, there is some decent swell predicted for the trip at this point so will just have to wait and see, but a "safe" route out of the bay would be sweet! I'll make sure the deckys keep there eyes peeled and play it safe. Also got new slim line inflatable life jackets which will be compolsery to be warn while fishing up there on my boat. 

Fingers crossed mate!

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Gnaraloo Boat Fishing / Launching

Mon, 2018-06-11 07:26

Hey mate I'm heading up with my boat tomorrow any chance I could grab those bay marks from you ?. Weve got a 21ft Wellcraft glass boat . Do you think we will have much drama ?.

Cheers Marcus

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Marcus

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Hi Paul

Wed, 2017-07-26 20:28

 Having went there last year, I learnt a few things. 

First and foremost, the fishing can be bloody awesome, as well as bloody dangerous!

whilst we were there, a surfer drowned who was surfing with his son. 

I wouldn't be going out boating in anything more than a 3m swell! We went out a fair distance one day as there was no wind at all, but the swell was 3.3-4m and the entire reef that protects the bay there was breaking. Had to wait for a while, pick our timing, and then gun the tinnies at 30 knots between breaking waves to get back in. Not somthing I would want to attempt again any time soon!

 

the best bit of advice I can give you is once launched at the bay, and past the main reef, head SOUTH! We went north in the fist day and although the fishing was good, the wind always blows from the south in the afternoon and it took about 2 hours of getting bashed to get back to shore. That night one of the more regular guys advised that going south each day means you always come home with the wind and don't get smashed from pillar to post. 

It's an awesome place, but just be respectful of the conditions and how remote it is from everything.

Hope this info helps

 

scano

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Paul_86's picture

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 Cheers mate very helpful.

Wed, 2017-07-26 20:45

 Cheers mate very helpful. Yeah I don't like the idea of racing back in to shore between waves so think I'll stay land locked if it's 3m's + And yep the plan will be to head south to have that wind at our backs on the way back in

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Awesome

Wed, 2017-07-26 22:23

Ask and Fishwrecked delivers. Great responses 

Paul_86's picture

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Thu, 2017-07-27 06:53

 

just dhu it's picture

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Trailer spares

Wed, 2017-07-26 23:10

 as the others have said make sure your trailer is in good order , double nuts or at least nylex nuts and remembers some critical spare rollers and u shackle bolts ,  the ramp is beach launching , take your time to work out not only launching but more serious is the retrieval .

find the mats or steel ladder rungs and time is serious when retrieving your boat to prevent sinking down boat and car 

track in and out let car and trailer tyres down to a safe level 

being new to the region learn the passage in and out ( I will sort out several waypoints and send later ) with any swell the area can change quickly.  I have had days there 1 mt through to 5 mts swell and the place changes dramatically so if your unsure  stay home and watch the others venture out 

from the beach you head north between various reefs and bommies and at a set point you turn direct west and venture straight out , you cannot vary the change over location which you need to keep in your GPS as this will be critical when returning and the swell has come up the whole passage , channel area looks totally different so caution is required 

otherwise it's a great place and enjoy.   I will Pm course cordinates 

Paul_86's picture

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  Thanks mate, trailer has

Thu, 2017-07-27 06:57

 

 Thanks mate, trailer has just had a big makeup over and I often beach launch my boat so fairly well prepared for that cheers. 

Yeah hopefully there are a few other guys taking bots out when I'm up there, but as a boaty and also a surfer I always watch the ocean for a while before heading out if I'm not sure, and if I can't pick a safe passage then I just won't go.

That would be awesome mate, good on ya!

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Hey mate I'm heading up

Mon, 2018-06-11 09:20

Hey mate I'm heading up tomorrow with a boat for the first time . If possable could I grab those GPS markers for the channel please .

Thanks Marcus

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Marcus

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 When you drive onto the

Thu, 2017-07-27 03:01

 When you drive onto the beach with your boat turn right only not left. Use the bog mates for the trailer. 

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 Get busy living, or get busy dying!

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Thu, 2017-07-27 06:58

 

carnarvonite's picture

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Channel 21

Thu, 2017-07-27 06:28

There is a VHF repeater on Cape Cuvier that Carnarvon sea rescue monitor it can be reached once you get clear of the bay and Red Bluff store monitors channel 16 when its open.

Some of the regulars may update on if the "billy goat " track is still visible, it runs along the fenceline north of the bay reef, we used to line it up coming in until the beach shelters were approx. right angles on the starboard side then head straight towards them

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 Yep that's what I use to do

Thu, 2017-07-27 06:50

 Yep that's what I use to do

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 Get busy living, or get busy dying!

Paul_86's picture

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 Cheers mate, brand new radio

Thu, 2017-07-27 07:00

 Cheers mate, brand new radio in the boat and I will have it on the whole time!

cool I'll keep an eye out for the land mark!

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Coordinates

Thu, 2017-07-27 06:51

  if Seakem doesn't get time mate send me a pm and I will give you the coordinates for entering exiting the bay. I have saved about 8 marks as guides heading out. As the boys have already said a 2.5m swell and above starts to get a bit hairy on a low tide.

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Hint

Thu, 2017-07-27 06:54

another tip take a mooring for your boat and just cart your fuel down in jerry cans. The track from the homestead to the bay often causes the most trailer damage due to the horrendous corrugations as boats are generally not loaded up or tied down properly. Good safe mooring area if you do it right. 

Paul_86's picture

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 Cheers mate will do. Yeah

Thu, 2017-07-27 07:16

 Cheers mate will do. 

Yeah ive considered the mooring set up, that's what we do when we stay at Ningaloo station, the swell is meant to be up tho so not sure how well I'll sleep at night with the boat on anchor miles away from where we are camping. I'll probably bring it with me just incase and play it by ear. 

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hi mate - couldn't post pic

Thu, 2017-07-27 09:39

hi mate - couldn't post pic on this thread but started another with a map in showing how to get in/out of the bay using a track on the hill as a guide
cheers

Paul_86's picture

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 Thanks mate will check that

Thu, 2017-07-27 12:41

 Thanks mate will check that out!

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Swell

Thu, 2017-07-27 11:41

 The swell doesn't affect where you moor your boat mate. Just make sure you put your mooring on a sandy bottom and not coral to ensure it digs into the sand and holds nicely.

Paul_86's picture

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 Ok cool, I'll bring the

Thu, 2017-07-27 12:41

 Ok cool, I'll bring the mooring set up then, cheers