sboardcrazy (24363km):
1304 days ago 1 categories 0-25kts WNW Coal Point, NSW, AU
5m gator - WT57- 28cm WT weedy
then 5.7m Gator
After yesterdays unpleasant sail I almost went to Budgy but decided to face my fears and go back to Coal. Unenthusing when I got there 10kts for 2/3rds of the way to Wangi then 20-25kts plus once over there..
I rigged small and smaller board which was a bit of a concern as I wasn't sure I could uphaul it..
Underpowered and only got going in the biggest gusts but it was confidence inspiring and good to look forward to them rather than be concerned. nice to have Andrew about even if he was flying while I was dogging. The board is very forgiving gybing so that was good.
After a while I decided I'd risk the 5.7m gator and went in and rerigged.
It felt horrible at first. I just couldn't get comfortable. The COE felt right up near the mast , it felt heavy and I couldn't get the harness lines to feel decent.
It was the first time I've rigged it on the 430 SDM ( usually 400 RDM) . It needed another 2cm downhaul over specs ( probably stretched) plus I noticed the boom had slipped down to belly height.. no wonder it felt RS.
Much better after that but the wind had dropped a bit. I only got going a few times but the board felt super comfy in the chop and a good size for me.
The wind dropped out at times and I got my first uphaul attempts..I usually can't uphaul the 90ltres ( but thats usually with the 7m cammed sails). No hassles with the 5.7m even in messy 60cm chop so that was a big confidence boost. The wind died to 3kts at one time and I only stayed upright by pumping the sail a bit but I managed to get in ok and it points great.
So no great speeds but a real confidence boost..
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