I'm thinking of spending the Xmas period in Lake Macquarie. Does anyone have information on the current dredged depth of Swansea channel or where to get the info?
I know it was dredged around August/September/October in time for the Heaven Can Wait race and supposedly was done to a reasonable depth to allow keelers to get in without bumping bottom. But exactly what depth, I don't know! I'd suggest calling one of the VMROs that cover the area.
Or, come to think of it, the Heaven Can Wait website would probably have some old news articles about it - www.rmyctoronto.com.au/heaven-can-wait
There are a couple of Top Hat owners on the Top Hat Forum who live near and sail Lake Macquarie. They would be able to help you with more detail as well. Top Hats draw 1.4 metres, and get in and out on the high easily. You can book a bridge opening time and they have a courtesy mooring etc.
There are also a couple of books available at your local chandlery that cover cruising the East Coast, with all the usual bar information, but nothing beats local knowlege.
Michael
Thanks Michael. I draw 1.7m & last time I went through the channel I had to get pulled sideways for 2-300 m by MRescue. Current local knowledge is the way to go.
Regards
We sailed up from Wollongong and spent 2 months up at the Lake from August to October in our Northshore 33 (draft 1.7m).
Going in from Moon Is to the bridge an hour before high water,we had typically 4.0-4.5 metres of water.Make sure you book a bridge opening at least an hour before with VMR Swansea.We got good advice from those guys on conditions.NSW Maritime also has a good chart of the channel and Lake for under $10.
West of the bridge the water depth is around 3.0-3.5m,but off Pelican near the small marina there,we were down to about 2.2m.The channel is well marked with red/green cans,but if you stray off the channel proper then a grounding would be emminent.
I wouldn't take it on with anything much less of a full tide.
Have fun out there-Cool Runnings
and watch the tidal flow on the rise if heading into the lake, and out when exiting. theres been a few boats pinned againsted the bridge, especially due to other boats anchor lines fouling props.
its been a few years since ive been in but we bumped our way in with 1.8m draft. pretty easy.
Yes the Saltiest one is right.With us heading home and back out against the tide,our little Volvo was working overtime to make the bridge opening (ie-Redline and the fan working the main!).
Around 3.5knots was the flow as we could only make 3 knots or under when motor/sailing according to GPS.
We also kept it 'Flat out' through the bridge for maximum power and steerage.
All this is probably moot ,as I expect you are already up there sipping a Crownie or two by now.
For those interested, I went out last week, we draw 2.1m and it was a smaller high tide.
Got through the first bit after the drop off with no bumps (was close though), stick to the port marker side here. We bumped for a couple of metres before the airport, they have moved the channel markers more west in this section and it appears to be the shallowest section at present.
We bumped the coal seam on the way out, we were about 15m off the port markers. I would recommend giving this side a wide birth (but not too close to the bar!).
Bit of luck one day we'll have the safe, deep channel that our beautiful lake deserves.
Hope this helps 
