Abrolhos advice
Hi guys,
My first post here so sorry if it is in the wrong section. Still learning to navigate my way around.
I was thinking of heading out to the Abrolhos on the weekend of the 13th of August. I have a 21ft Center Console Sea boss which has proved reasonably seaworthy in most conditions. It is basically the same mould as the sea pro with a few little modifications.
I was wondering if I could get some advice on the journey/trip. I went to Abrolhos on a game fishing boat many years back when I was younger but have not been back since.
My questions are
1) is the boat going to be suitable to make such a journey. I understand it is a fair distance offshore and can be rough seas. Would you attempt such a journey in a boat this size or are we being overly ambitious? What sort of weather would you guys draw the line at??
2) we were planning on bringing 400l fuel, we have gps, epirb, radio, flares and all other safetty gear required. Is there any blaring obvious things which we should bring or grab.
3) any tips on where to go would be much appreciated. We are mainly freediving spearfisherman and are restricted to around 20m depths.
last of all if anyone is interested in making the journey with us in their boat would be more than happy to join in convoy. We were thinking of making the crossing early saturday morning on the 13th and coming back on the sunday the 14th. We were also planning a trip for around 17th of September if all goes well with August.
Cheers guys
Regards
Jd
___________________________
2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
Georgejungle
Posts: 354
Date Joined: 25/03/09
Hey mate, welcome Abrolhos
Hey mate, welcome
Abrolhos can be done in a 21 fter but i would be more relaxed if i had 2 vessels for safety sake. I do not know the boat make so its capabilities are your call ,Being a centre console you will be wet if nothing else.
There is nothing over there in the way of fuel fresh water ,food so you have to 100% self sufficient so work out your fuel usage and double it for rough weather and go from there.
As far as radio i would be looking at VHF as 27 meg is pretty limited and poorly monitored ( all cray boats ,charter vessels will have VHF but most will not have 27 meg)
Be prepared to be stuck there a night or two if it turns to custard and blows its arse off as it can and does fairly frequently.
Cheers
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
check the weather out beforehand
If the weather is good that weekend I might be keen (other things dependant). Got a 20ft trailcraft.
The way it has been though it would be only luck if that weekend was nice.
Where are you coming from?
poddyfish
Posts: 986
Date Joined: 01/05/07
Abrolhos
Pm me closer to the date mate....... Know the area fairly well and do regular trips to the islands , majority freediving aswell bud
Fear The Spear............!
jdavies_99
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Cheers
Thanks for the advice guys. Really appreciate it.
Will send you guys an email as it gets closer to see if you are interested. We would certainly love the company.
Jd
___________________________
2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
Cammos
Posts: 606
Date Joined: 30/06/09
A group of us have been
A group of us have been trying to find the weather to head across for the past 10 weeks or so. I planned on making it in my 20 footer, and all up I would/will take 335L of fuel for 3-4 days of diving and fishing.
VHF I understand is pretty much a must have. I got a handheld one which may not be able to reach mainland, but can certainly get other boats in the area. I had the luxury of a 3 or 4 boat convoy though.
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
I believe there is a VHF
I believe there is a VHF repeater at Easter group, cant remember the channel off the top of my head but Gero VMR monitor ir on weekends etc.
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
You boat is heaps big
You boat is heaps big enough.just need to watch the weather for a couple of good days with low swell .We are on stand bye when the weather is good we are of. I have a hainse 635 200hp honda and will take 300lt of fuel we will be over for two days free diving and trolling.heading to the southern group.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
jdavies_99
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Cheers for the comments guys.
Cheers for the comments guys. I really appreciate the advice.
What would you guys consider low swell? and for that matter low wind?
___________________________
2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
I would be only going if wind
I would be only going if wind 10- 15 east or lighter and swell around 2m or lower.
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Nauti Buoy
Posts: 595
Date Joined: 20/04/09
Aerial
i took a booster aerial for my Telstra mobile, managed to get enough coverage to make a call and send of a text when we were staying at the Southern Group. Not sure all mobiles will be the same though- i have the Telstra country phone (large blue brick)
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
Yep got fairly good signal
On telstra ifone out there, wouldn't rely on it though as it would drop out sometimes and the weather was pristine when I was there
Gooooone Fishin!
poddyfish
Posts: 986
Date Joined: 01/05/07
abrolhos
mobile reception at the southern group is patchy depending on the day. can usually find somewhere to make a phone call if need be
weather wise im with Paul G , Generally i keep my eyes open for a ntheaster which also helps knock the swell down.... My last few trips have been over with a nth easter and back with a dead light nthwester as a front along way off is starting to approach , had magic conditions but that was just luck.
with re to the swell it depends where you want to dive? if your keen and want to dive wreck point deffinently need something under 2m.... that is one surreal place with a tad of swell! same almost apply for the whole fringing reef up the west side of the southern group.
Can generally find somewhere to dive up around the hummock with abit of swell , up around Gee Bank or King Reef aswell..... Countless pinnacles from 40m+ upto 15-20m that are also good but not are generally only good for shark macks & spanish as they usually are all stag coral and only holding bait. But that only applys to some not all! The trick is finding the ones with the coral and fish on them
hope that helps mate
Fear The Spear............!
jdavies_99
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Great information
Awesome information, thanks heaps guys.
Will definitely keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer.
Jd
___________________________
2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury