photo album 12/26/10

2010_12_26

Last Sunday the wind came in huge, low 30's gusts to 40, out of the NW. Several sailors were on the water with 3.7's and had it dialed in. I rigged a 4.2 on an axxis 285 and had way to much speed. I came in and put a smaller fin on and then had problems with spin out. Dino, Ron, James and Joel were on the water and seemed to be doing OK. Dino told me later they sailed the south side of the island and it was better. On the way home I stopped by a lake near my home and found the wind to be blowing 19 - 23 across flat water and I had to give it a shot. So I parked in front of the alligator warning sign and rigged a 6.0 on my 118L bic. The runs were kind of short and jibing at either end was nice. But, the gusts that came through in the middle were huge, I did some tail walking and got blown down a few times and then called it quits.

Merry Christmas

"Sail'n In A Winter Wonderland"
By Jon Plaster

There's some waves, let's go ride'm.
The winds a blow'n, it's excite'n!
No work'n today, it's time to play!!
Sail'n in a winter wonderland!

After a while you'll be gybe'n.
Pretty soon you're a smile'n.
Cause there's another wave, come'n your way
Sail'n in a winter wonderland!

(chorus)
All your friends are jump'n and a whoop'n.
Maybe it's time to try a little loop'n?
Up the wave face, you will go a fly'n,
Then flip around and end up on your head!

On the waves you're a carve'n
Smack a lip, and you'll be float'n,
In white frothy foam, that looks like snow
Surf'n in a winter wonderland!

Another set, starts a pitch'n
Miss your gybe, you'll be drift'n
Underwater you go, you're in the munch zone!
Swimm'n in a liquid wonderland!

(chorus)
All your friends are jump'n and a whoop'n
You think your sail'n like a pro!
So off the lip you will go for more air!
Then stuff the nose, and end up gett'n rolled!

Down the wave you're a slide'n
Like a fun rolla coaster ride'n
Back up the face, your headed for space
Float'n in a winter wonderland!

After a while you've got it wired,
Your ache'n hands are gett'n tired.
It's been a great day, just one more wave
Sail'n in a winter wonderland!

You . . Could . . Be . . . Sail'n . . In . . A . . . Winter! . . . Wonder!! . . . Land!!

Sunset Sailing

I was able to get out on the water late this afternoon and it turned out better than expected. David D was packing up and James was out on an 8.5. Wind was NNW and it was backing off slowly, wind line said 16 gusting to 25 when I got there. It looked 7.0 to me but David and Gaetan were steering me towards an 8.5. If I have to wear a full wetsuit I really don't want to be sailing an 8.5. So I rigged a 7.0 and by the time I dragged it to the water the wind didn't look that good. I had a 48cm fin on my 118L bic and it was enough to get me planing. Once I got far enough north of the island the wind was pretty consistant from the channel to the east side. I stayed out an hour, the sky was clear and on a west tack I was sailing into a setting sun on a east tack was a rising moon!
Last time I was on the water was 12/12. The wind was SW and pretty gusty. I rigged a 5.2 on a 285 axxis. When the gusts came through it was scarry fast and the holes left me floundering on the 88L board. But it was fun all the same.

Late post for Sunday/Monday

We had two great days last Sunday and Monday. Sunday was warmer, but less windy, more gusty conditions where it was hard to be out on a sinker board due to wind dying to the point where you had to swim until the next gust came. 5.0m was about the right size sail; most of the time.
Once the front went thru Sunday afternoon and wind shifted to the NW, it became windier but cooler. However, it wasn't until Monday that the winds with the gust to 50, as recorded by Jensen site, filled in. I tried using the 5.0m w/95l JP board, but it proved to be way to much too handle. Art tried his 4.6m and he found it to be too much as well. James and Ron were on 4.6m sails with sinker boards and seemed to have a handfull, but both managed. I told Dave about the wind condition and he was going to try and get a session in, but after Brandon told him he was overpowered on 4.7m, he decided against it. I can't recall the last time we had winds that strong. Hope we get some more soon. I'm itching to try my High Tech wave board that was recently repaired by Ron T.

Found small waist harness on the south side of East Island. If anyone lost one, call Ron Ternullo at 561 308-8637.

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Jerry clears the boat traffic.
Wind dropped off slightly from what it was yesterday, but still good enough for 6.5 to 7.0m sails.
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Brandon powered up on his 6.5m/105l board.
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