Watch the forecasts carefully – they change a LOT these days. I use Meteye and Marine forecasts from the Met Bureau.

Floaters might be OK with as low as 14 kn. Topless need at least 17kn. ESE is best. 200ft above launch you’ll get another 3 or 4 kn.

Checking the Flinders (Reyno’s) weather station helps too - https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IFLINDER3#history

Also check that you’re NOT flying at high tide – very hard to land near the pier then. If you can make Shoreham, it’s beach stays fairly wide even at high tide.

The wind strength at Shoreham usually drops a few knots from that at the Pier.

And again – see if you can find someone who can close (and lock) the gate asap after the last launch for the day. The gate lock combination is on the HGFA forum.

Steve