Thread: OR/Mindarie to Two Rocks (Yanchep) ride this w/e (1-2/May/08)

I'm taking a ride this weekend.
Taking off from Mindarie (or Ocean Reef), to riding up past the Alkimos to either YanChep, then return, or continueing to Two Rocks marina.
OR to TR return is approx 60km's for a crow.
So I'll be carrying an extra 10L of fuel for my thirsty girl.
SeaBreeze graph looks good for Sun or Mon, with Mon being better for sunshine.
Leave 9-10am, back by 1pm.
Anyone want to come along.

Zurg,

Unfortunately can't make it this weekend, but would be keen to do a similar trip in a couple of weeks.
Need to generate a north of the river enduro crew!

Gus.

I strapped a milk crate on an old PDF 3 jacket to the rear of the ski, and carried anchor and 5 ltr fuel.
Took off from Mindarie ~10:30am. (Once again parking ticket machine broken so had to take the extra steps of buying a ticket from the hotel reception).
Nice and sunny, bit of swell, and back wash. Heading north was easier than coming back.
Rode up to the Alkimos, and took some photo's.
Then up the Yanchep Lagoon. I was gonna stick my nose into the lagoon, but decided not to.
Then up "The Spot" (Left Break). Plenty of food for sharks in the water there!
Onto Two Rocks, and I rode inside the reef next one of the two rocks, instead of going around. I stopped at the boat ramp inside the marina.
Fuel Gage showed I used 3 bars of 8. Decided to leave the extra fuel in can, and return on whats in the tank.
After 15minute break, headed out, and up to Derrs for a quick look, then turned for home.
I must of sucked in some seaweed or something, as at low revs (<20km/h) the Jet Ski started struggling for revs. It almost conked on me twice, but it kept running. I was thinking of heading into two rocks, and abandoning the run back to Mindarie, but by time I reached the mouth of the marina everything was back to normal.
Somehow, the small jaunt to Derrs had dropped the fuel level by two bars. I presumed it was a mis reading by the ski, and headed on back to Mindarie.
I went around the outside of the reef on the south side of Two Rocks marina this time.
The ski had lost another fuel bar by time I reach Yanchep, and I started to get concerned about fuel. I was down to the last bar as I passed the Alkimos, and I started looking for a nice beach landing to add the extra 5lts of fuel in to make it back.
I beached on a flat bit north of Black rock, and dragged the ski up the beach. Occassionally I was getting side swiped by Rips, but managed to get the fuel in without spilling, or getting water into the tank.
Unfortunately the previous days weather had deposited a lot of seaweed inside the surf break. As I tried to relaunch through the break, the waves slammed me a few times, and the ski sucked in the seaweed, and couldn't get any traction to get out. After three attempts, and finally making it through the break, I stopped, and hung over the side to clear any remaining seaweed out, and did a TB. After a long ride, it was difficult getting back on board.
Finally after getting my sh*t together, and getting back on board, and underway, the 4+ ltrs (didn't add all the fuel) now made the fuel guage read 4 bars, or half full .
Really p*ssed off after that.
I cruised between 38-40km/h all the way up, and back to the refuel point, but when I'd passed Black Rock, it was a 70+ km/h thrashing all the way back to Mindarie. Still had 2 bars of fuel left when I reached the boat ramp.

Some pics
Path of trip
PathMap.JPG
Photos at Alkimos, inc whats left above the water
DSC00199.JPG
DSC00201.JPG
DSC00204.JPG

Inside Two Rocks Marina
DSC00209.JPG

DSC00210.JPG

DSC00211.JPG

DSC00212.JPG

sounds like you had a stressful day out

pottsy since your so great a planning these trips, how about Busselton albany or even Adelaide or North, i know this all sounds stupid, but this fish is keen for anything. I had a ball the other day and i think arvo wants revenge on me