The West Coast Speedsters (W, United States of America) - 2017-06-22
Sailor 2 Second Peak (Kts)5 x 10 Second Average (Kts)1 Hour (Kts)Alpha Racing 500m (Kts)Nautical Mile (Kts)Distance Travelled (km)
Barton
29.527(D)
26.616(D)
2.162(D)
16.873(D)
4.864(D)
13.072(D)
Roo
Roo Jr.
Jay-Anthony
Marc
Aron
RD
Taty
Amado
Terence B
Juvannie
Nagel
Alexander
Terence C
Bimbi
Chen
Marc van B
Gediminas
David Brittain
Manouk
Chad
Physiorol
Average
Barton (5511km):
2470 days ago
6 categories

Langlois, OR, US - Floras Lake

Sailworks Retro 5.5, Goya Bolt 115, MFC KP-R 42, Naish Chopper L (4.8), Goya Bolt 95, MFC KP-RC 360, Wind: 15G28, 20G33 knots

Good news for the day - no debilitating leg cramps.

Launched about 12:30 pm with the 5.5/Bolt 115 into 15G28 knot winds. Setup worked well except I was very close to overpowered and at the edge of my comfort zone most of the time. I'm not used to doing beam reaches at 27 knots and the Goya had a tendency to want to become airborne in the gusts. And of course, I had one over-handlebars dismount on the ocean side as I changed my balance just slightly preparing to jibe and got hit by a gust. Stopped for a snack and the wind ramped up to 20G33 for the rest of the afternoon. Rigged the Chopper L (4.8) and plugged it into the Bolt 95. While this was a much better choice than yesterday, in retrospect, I probably should have rigged the Chopper M (4.3) as I was once again close to overpowered and at the edge of my control. Around 6:30 PM when I saw the wind dropping I took the opportunity to venture out again on the Chopper L/Bolt 95. This was better but now was dealing with the windshadow holes on the east side of the lake and then full power half way across. Got some practice... When the wind dropped a little more, switched to the 5.5/Bolt 115. I immediately appreciated the ability to get through the windshadows without drama on the Bolt 115. Made a couple of runs but was again fully/overpowered on the ocean side. By then I was tired of fighting with being overpowered and bagged it.

Observations:

Having done back/back sailing on a Chopper and a Retro, I much prefer the Retro for stability, obvious low power pocket and ease of handling. The Chopper had this annoying tendency to feel like it was about to be backwinded when getting up to speed, getting in the foot straps, and simultaneously getting hit by a gust.

I suspect the Bolt 115 will be my go-to board at Waterfront Park due to the ease of getting through wind shadows and it is still sailable when off a plane if the wind dies. I'm too old for all the drama (for me at least) of hula dancing a board back to shore. 

After a couple of 29.x 2 second runs, it is clear that my cautious/safety mentality will probably keep me from ever fully going for it. While the ride was thrilling bouncing over the backs of 6"-12" chop and should have been my focus, I was actually thinking "don't crash and disable yourself because who will take care of my slightly impaired wife". That is not the thought process of someone hanging it all out...

Sail/board size thoughts:

30+ knot gusts -> Chopper M (4.3)/ Bolt 95

25-30 knot gusts -> Chopper L (4.8)/Bolt 95

23-28 knot gusts -> Sailworks Retro 5.5/Bolt 115

20-25 knot gust -> Sailworks Retro 6.5/Bolt 115

Sub 20 knot gusts -> Sailworks Retro 7.5/Bolt 115

 



Comments
Roo


W
United States of America
2470 days ago

It's all in your mind Barton. Time to let out the inner speedsailor!

Barton


W
United States of America
2470 days ago

The inner speedsailor wants out, just having trouble finding a path through all the clutter Laughing

Windxtasy


WA
Australia
2470 days ago

I am frequently thinking "Its really going to hurt if I come off at this speed". I don't usually come off, and when I do the pain is usually temporary.

I am sure those who go for it without care for crashing go faster.

Roo


W
United States of America
2470 days ago

It's always in the back of your mind when you start pushing your limits. The key is learning how to fall, when you go deep downwind you tend to crash more gently than upwind/across the wind. Thankfully the old days of catching an edge at speed have gone with modern sails that twist off and don't load up the forward rail in chop. The bad old days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIJ1jZQcSSY

Barton


W
United States of America
2470 days ago

ok, I watched the video. Now, where is the tutorial teaching me how to fall so I skip away unfazed? Laughing

Windxtasy


WA
Australia
2470 days ago

I have done most of those except the one where the board turns up wind