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I haven't had the trouble myself as yet but I have been prepeared for such cases, what I have thought a good way is to stay safe, (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong) if anything goes wrong in the middle of a bar crossing to save yourself from rolling or getting pushed sideways into a bad situation, if u go sideways throw your sea anchor (bucket on a rope) over the back the boat to help hold u as straight as possible, that's what I'd do anyways,
stay on the ocean side of the boat. dont let go unless its sinking or you know your able to swim free. if ur not a good swimmer stay with ur boat and life jackets should already be on.
I cross the Caloundra bar often as it is my "home" bar. 14 years ago when we moved up here from Redlands, I had a 4.45M Bermuda (Quintrex) with 50HP 2 stroke. Once when I took a wave head on the boat came down really hard and the impact cut the motor. Yes I almost s%^t myself as this engine was very 'moody' and surfable sets were coming in. Thankfully someone upstairs must have been looking down on me as the engine started straight away (for a change) and I managed to take off.
Now I am in a Stabi 5.09M with a Honda 4st, and bar crossings are so different. That said - I still remember how close I came to disaster in my Bermuda and so treat the 'small' Caloundra bar with respect. A couple of times I have had waves pop up out of no where, esp in the last couple of months with the big swells, but thankfully the Stabi can take a couple of waves (where in my previous boat I would have been toast). If I am in doubt - I go home, flicking a few plastics in the passage as I go. Alternatively I call the VMR Caloundra and have them keep an eye on me. If you run the bar often - become an associate member of Caloundra VMR - it's good to support them and they do an excellent job. It costs all of $50- from memory (pay for their fuel and a few drinks, they'd probably take you out in their rig to show you how its done).
The last two times coming in though - it has been really hard with the swell to see where the channel is, esp at low tide. I've stuffed up twice in a row now - something I haven't done in years crossing the bar. First time I was lazy, I simply followed another bloke in who was in a 4M tinny. Stupid me. Unlike him I hit the sand bar and got stuck. Boat turned sideways, my mates started to freak. I didn't as the waves were rather small on this section of the bar and it does take a bit to flip a Stabi with small waves - and I had the scuppers out and I knew what she could take re waves over the back. After grimmacing thinking about my impella - with the engine on tilt I got out into the channel. Stupid me.
Second time, not last weekend - the one before - there was a big swell - very surfable, in fact I had to look out for the surfers on the way in. I picked what I thought was the channel (after running this bar 100's of times before) and proceeded. I had another bloke in a Quinny, with what looked like his young family in the boat all in life jackets, follow me as he too seemed to be having trouble picking the channel. I got part way through and realised I was too far north. I looked behind me and a big set was rolling in. For a split second I was tempted to turn, and thought nope - safer to plough a bit of sand on full throttle and plain over the shallows, which I did.
The other guy though, to my amazement did a U turn in what looked mid set. I thought he was very lucky not to be caught by the set rolling in - it would have tipped the Titanic if it hit you sideways. I think he ended up taking the same route again, just waited for a smaller set (I guess from his perspective he wouldn't have realised I hit sand and got it wrong, but as his boat was lighter with a smaller "v" he probably barely touched sand if he timed it right). Still, can't get over his U turn though when he was so close to the point of "no return".
Anyway - it is a bit tricky ATM when there is a swell and at low tide coming in. It is hard to pick the channel. I went out again last weekend - smaller swell, still a few surfing, but after being stupid two times in a row, this time on the way out I stopped once past the breakers. Looked carefully at the buildings and Bribie Is to get my bearings, and as I have a memory like a fish - told myself out loud where I had to line up to come back in on the low tide. Still hit the bottom - just.
Brenno - 16 good fish - you did well. All we got was one humungus Pearly (my mate#1 caught it), and 5-6kg Snapper (mate #2 and first time out caught it), and I got sea sick (much to mate #1 & 2's delight esp as I caught nothing!!). In fact the only laugh I had on them, was the look on my mates faces when I did stuff up in the bar and we went sideways!
Last weekend I picked up a number of legal snapper - kept one but threw the rest back as they were border line. I took it as a sign that maybe the snapper fishing may be OK this year off Caloundra.
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