boating over to lord howe island

[phyco]

hello all just like to know if anyone has taken a boat over to lord howe island of the east coast , and how did you go what was the seas like, how did you get flue when over there. i see sailing boats there in photos there what about game boats. what size boat would be the minimum. thanks phyco...

[lazyangler]

Havent done the trip Phyco but have a mate who is keen in 30 footer. We would leave from Port Macquarie as its one of the closest ports. This would also allow us to shadow the supply boat that services the island. If things went too bad there would be help not to far away. They would also be a good resource for information on sea conditions expected on the trip as well.

One tip for fuel may be to smuggle a pallet of beer to the island. I gather its quite lucrative taking booze there. Might be able to swap it for lots of fuel. Just hide it well.
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[RooShooter]

Pm sent

[turmoil12]

if i remember corectly i read somthing dean butler wrote in a blue water
mag , about that exact thing , with a fishing stop somewhere along
the way .. wasnt that long ago ,
would be a ripper adventure but

[Makaira-BW34]

Several of our SGFC club boats have been out there over the last couple of Christmas/New Year seasons - the smallest a 38 foot Dominator. Awesome kingfish inshore and blue marlin fishery offshore - and some interesting reefs to the north east within striking range that have safe overnight anchorages. Some have caught 70kg big eye tuna around midnight on the way out. It's about 35-40 hours of trolling (with some running in/out). This season they have been locked into the lagoon for over a week due to the cyclone to the north and strong local winds.
Some things you need to consider beyond the obvious of fuel consumption is:
- How to get weather reports. There is no mobile coverage on the way or out there so you need sat phone with data connection (expensive)
- How much food, freezers required
- Water, likely need desal onboard
- Tender to get to the island
- Fuel can be purchased I believe at $2.50+ litre
- VERY expensive flights for anyone traveeling out to meet you/leaving early

- Steve

[TheBream]

not too sure about alot of the details but i do know some

sure is alot more planning than just going out and doing it and as mentioned there is little help out there so you do have to plan for alot of things

as for flights you can get some cheaper flights out of places like Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie and the fule you can buy on the main land and have frighted out via the island trader
http://www.islandtrader.com.au/about-us
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[thisisgonna]

heading over on the 16th march for a week with the wife and a few fishing buddies. we are booked on a charter for 3 or 4 days so far. hoping to spend a session or 2 on the kings, some time throwing lures around the reefs/lagoons and hopefully at least 1 trolling session.

will let you know how i go.

Peter

[finch1]

Hey mate, i just got back early January from lord howe island and firstly i would recommend it to anyone, i did the trip on a 55footer, but as steve said there has been many sgfc boats going over and intending to go over.

Firstly there is alot of preparation that goes into it, and if that you are thinking about doing it is not certainly one thing you can organise in short time, with the way the island is run there is a fair bit of application permits, mooring applications, marine park allowances etc... that some of them go through the island the rest get sent to Canberra(government), next thing would be setting up the boat for the trip, making sure you have enough food and water for the time period you intend to stay because the food supply on the island is limited and very very expensive. A Desalination machine would be a requirement. Setting up the basic tools and replacement parts for common problems that may occur, safety gear inspections. Its also mainly knowing the ins and outs of your boat mainly.

The one thing we also found out that is a problem that sort of wouldn’t come to mind is laundry, we were lucky enough to have a washing machine and dryer which did not stop running for the 3.5 weeks we were there, because on the island there isn’t really anywhere to clean your clothes.

From mooring at the island i would recommend have the biggest tender you possibly can, because the lagoon does get rough as it is open to westerlies, we have a really big tender with a 70hp on it and still managed to get smashed and soaking wet some days.

With fuel you don’t use alot as the drop off is only close to 3 miles out of the lagoon, It is easy to get fuel on the island but it doesn’t come cheap at 2.75 per litre, and no there is enough beer and alcohol on the island to prevent them from bribes, pretty sure the fuel guy doesn’t even drink!!!

When going you will need a sat phone and ideally someone to relay weather to you because it is a long time travelling we left from port stephens and it took us 44 hours travelling. On the island you are only open to using the internet at the museum and there is a few public phones around!! Don’t forget the weather is twice as bad 200 miles offshore and if you haven’t done much night time travelling it will be different story for you. You would sort of want someone experienced and knows how to read the synoptic charts for you to give you correct window opportunities, we were lucky enough to have tropical cyclones near us for a short period!! Remember to allow for ocean currents aswell!!

One thing is for sure you would have to make the trip north 95 miles to Elizabeth reef, lord howe is one thing but Elizabeth reef is amazing with just, jammed packed full of fish and know one goes there you will have to apply for permit though to go up there!!

Just for some self pointers i would plan to go for atleast 3 weeks to allow for weather periods and time to fish around everywhere and take in the island itself and to do what is has to offer just remember that not alot is cheap there!!

If anyone doesn’t have the capabilities to do the trip, i would seriously think about heading over and just chartering the 40ft blackwatch Double Trigger, Garry Sexton and Dar offer local knowledge and experience who are top blokes and offer a top quality service!!!

If you have any question s feel free to ask, i could sit here all day a type up information to help but have a read, and if you need any pointers just ask.
finch

[phyco]

hello all and thanks for all your replys thanks aging.phyco.

[TheBream]