Beach Driving

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 17:45

ThreadID: 89994 Views:4541 Replies:5 FollowUps:6

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Member - Tony Z (NSW)

Hi,
I must be reading it wrong but the last couple of mags/books that I have read about beach driving (as i'm going up to Morton/Frazer island after xmas)say that you should drive 2hrs either side of high tide.
I would have thought that you should drive 2hrs either side of LOW tide that should allow you 4hrs/6hrs approx to high tide, and as the tide is out allow you to drive on firmer sand rather than soft sand up the beach ?
Is this correct or am I missing something!
Tony

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Reply By: chisel - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 17:52

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 17:52

2 hrs either side of low is definitely best. Not sure what the mags/books are on about.
Depending on tide heights and wave conditions you might be fine for a greater period of the tide (eg. up to 4 hrs either side of low).
Driving at high tide isn't the end of the world - it's usually just slow and uses a lot of fuel while also putting extra stress on the vehicle.

AnswerID: 469570

Follow Up By: Member - Tony Z (NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 18:30

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 18:30

Thanks chisel
I thought low was best and have driven on high tide up in the soft sand and yes you can see the fuel guage go down as well as the 4x4 being thrown around trying to follow in previous tyre tracks
Again thanks

FollowupID: 743985

Reply By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 18:48

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 18:48

Maybe they are trying to say NOT to drive within the period of two hours before to two hours after high tide. The ambiguities of the written word.

Phil

AnswerID: 469575

Follow Up By: Member - Josh- Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 18:59

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 18:59

That's the way I read it. Don't drive 2 hrs before or after high tide. 2 hrs after would be to give you some hard sand to drive on, if you leave right on high tide it is all soft sand. 2 hrs before high tide is just dumb and a good way to loose a vehicle

Josh

FollowupID: 743989

Follow Up By: Member - Tony Z (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 18:24

Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 18:24

vdx1dx and Josh
The words in the mag read (when driving on the beach it is best to drive 2hrs either side of High Tide) came out of an old Camper Trailer Touring mag !
Thanks for your reply

FollowupID: 744084

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 20:10

Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 20:10

Hi Tony

Well whomever wrote those words needs some serious lessons in the written word. It can both include the four hours period around high tide and it can also be understood to mean outside the same period.

If someone took his, or her, advice as meaning drive "during" the two hours each side of high tide, then the author could be said to be liable if the car, or worse, a life was lost.

When writing instructions one must not make anything ambiguous.

Luckily I do not drive on anything to do with salt water. Already rusted out a car that we had rust proofed. I am not going to do it again.

Phil

FollowupID: 744110

Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 20:14

Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011 at 20:14

Up here it is easy - You can not get on to the beach at High tide you have to wait at least 2hrs after the turn :-)

High tide is right up to the sand dunes and fills the many creek crossings.

Have fun, but drive safe.

Cheers Tony

AnswerID: 469583

Reply By: brushmarx - Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 09:45

Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 09:45

I haven't read the mags so don't know the wording and the meaning behind the times, however I would have thought the timing stated may depend on who the information is aimed at.
Experienced drivers with good recovery gear would not be overly concerned if they became bogged just before the tide turned and potentially swamped the vehicle, but drivers and passengers of lone vehicles with little or no recovery gear or experience may be better off driving around high tide. Sure, the sand is softer, and the driving harder on the vehicle, but if you do bog down, you have a few more hours to self recover, or outside help to arrive.
Cheers

AnswerID: 469616

Follow Up By: Member - Tony Z (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 18:42

Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 18:42

Thanks brushmarks,
I'm fairly new to 4x4 driving and have been getting some sand driving practice at Stockton Beach NSW and up around Port Macquarie NSW mostly on our own and during the week, so there is less trafic around (both good and bad) but we do carry a full compliment of recovery gear ie- Snatch Staps/ Rated Shackles, Long handle shovel, Maxtrak's, and a Hand Winch/ Winch Extension Strap if required.
Dont want to get stuck/washed away when the tide comes in. Most of the driving is above the High Tide mark when no other 4x4's around but do still drive on the harder sand when we can and we also stay out of the ocean not like some you see driving like a bat out of hell through the sea water just so they can spray it up every where.
Again thanks

FollowupID: 744087

Reply By: Member - Richard W (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 17:31

Thursday, Nov 10, 2011 at 17:31

Tony,

As Tonyfish said the water can come right up to the dunes at high tide.
We caught a late ferry to Wanggoolba Creek and had to make a dash for Cathedral Beach on a rising tide and the same on the way back. Only just made it both times. Plan B was to pull off the beach and camp on higher ground.

AnswerID: 469654