Primbee, NSW, AU

Hifly 275x55, Mauisails TR8 7.0, Fanatic Weed 28 - Wind NW 15-25 kts

Day 1 - Heat 2 NSW Freerace series

The original plan was for a freerace at Gerroa but that beach only works in a noreaster, so we relocated 30 mins up the highway to Lake Illawarra / Primbee.

Wind came and went a few times but eventually we got a first 1/2 hr freerace in.  A few nice gusts and I had a 32 on the GPS which was pretty sweet.   Primbee is a lot like Budgewoi - pretty shallow but even, so you can sail pretty confident that you wont hit anything apart from grinding your fin after gybes.

After a short break we went out for a second 1/2 hr session.   Some dark clouds were building but looked OK.   About 5 minutes into the session it started pouring, and during one of these squalls I snagged a gust that got me the PB.  Really stoked to get that speed, especially on the 7.0.   The rain squall cleared, but then a second one came through with thunder/lightning just as our 1/2 hr was finished.    Wind died as well so everyone was left walking back hoping the lightning would stay clear.   A little gust came through that gave everyone the chance to plane quickly back to the shore and duck for cover as another storm came through.

Great day and hoping for more wind tomorrow.

Primbee, NSW, AU.      Not a bad day down south. Never perfect but not bad at all. I think everyone was smiling even if tired. Used 6.7 on 75cm and 5.6 on the old noseless sonic.

So happy for James. He did well!

5 categories

Primbee, NSW, AU GPS race day. TR9 6.6 RS2 with 19cm delta type fin. The CA44 with 21.5cm carbon speed fin.

What a day unreal conditions 4 seasons in one day. Wind rain thunderstorms no wind .

I hate weed fins the deltas type fin does not work for me feels like an anchor and constant spin out. I have even made my own to try and improve on it and it was shit. The sail wanted to go but board did not with that fin.

Grabbed the speed board quickly and had the long run but just as I was bearing away, to wind the gear up I hit a rock and boarded jumped out sideways at 38.5 knots in very shallow water pulled it back in but still managed a decent nautical but could have been way higher. Second run wind really died and I walked 1 km home watching every one come out for round 2 so quickly put 6.6 back on RS2 but changed fin to the speed fin 21.5cm sooo much quicker but a little under done on power but ok wish I had used that for round one. 

The place would be unreal for nautical on the speed board but Budgi is just as good or better for top speed.

I just need a decent fin that will work in the slalom board.

Great to sail with MT and the Illawarra boys thanks and great fun.

Well done MT you smashed us all.

1 categories

Primbee, NSW, AU

GPS on Sat. We did 2 half hours, wind was nothing (Dean rgging 10m) to huge to nothing to nice so I left the 5.9 & went with the 6.6 for the first  race.  Which meant naturally that the wind howled & it became too strong even to attempt a gybe, just jump in & try to manhandle the sail around  but sometimes even that was too hard. Even Byron said he had enough power, imagine that!  Second race the wind dropped a bit so I went with 5.9 in accordance with my current policy (comfort first). This was more manageable & was when I did the best speeds but then It poured rain so that the drops felt like slicing your face & even my head through the hat & then it was good till it started lightning just as the wind swung requiring 27 tacks to get home. But then it improved, nice sunny weather to prepare for a second downpour which had such strong wind we could only hold the sails & get a shower, nice fresh water, great for the hair, I think it is growing back! But that may also be because of the 3rd downpour as we finished unrigging.

In the first race I hung on & went for it, on the edge, going so fast my eyes blurred (oh hang on, they always do that) but when I went to look at my new PB it was only 30 knots. I thought that if nothing else I might do a good NM as the runs are very long but no go.

So first impressions of Primbee are that it gets good wind, has nice long runs but is, by Peelie standards, rough as guts. We really have it good. Mark Trollope did 40 knots in race 1 so clearly  you can go fast, just not easily. Oh & for the record I overtook Bushfire & had better top speed than Justin, I don't like to boast ( I don't need to remind all my friends of my modesty) but they would be unhappy if I failed to mention they were beaten by a broken down old fart.

Sunday started windy SW, died & came back SE, we had a go but it died & we floated home.

Good weekend away, good night at the fisho, good breakfasts & great to sail somehwere that I had been hoping to try out. Adam & James did a really good job & hopefully the concept will fly.

Marmong Point, NSW, AU