sboardcrazy (25098km):
2190 days ago Patchy 15-25kt WNW -W then 25-35kts Peel st Budgewoi Lake, NSW, AU Level 0.278
5m OD - 70ltre Patrick speedboard- 16cm tribal
Only a short session.. Arrived early to tales of willy willies and saw Matt rigging a 5.6m ( 40kgs more than me) so I was a bit worried about going out on the 5m..Procrastinated but went out for a nm.. wasted my chance. I didn't go out in the chop as I was told as I was worried I'd be splattered..I stuck to closer to the shore and got some patchy areas..It wasn't as strong as I expected so I could have done better... 30kt top speed.
Bit patchy at first and I almost went back for the 80ltre..did one really good gybe except there wasn't any wind on the exit leg.. . The sail felt horrible and dead, I wasn't getting going very well or getting upwind well.grr. Moved the applecore to the bottome hole for more power ( without dropping it in the water.. ) and as soon as I did the wind picked up 15kts.. Did a few more runs and switched it back.
After blaming my sailing ability for the first hr or so I finally realised the sail didn't have anywhere near enough downhaul , soon after the boom cam came off so I came in to fix it .
I usually lie on my back in the shallows , get my feet in the straps and come up hooking in..for once I had problems hooking in...lucky I did! A willy willy got me and lifted the kit and I up and dropped us downwind..mmm..better keep an eye out for those evil gusts..I could see it smoking away downwind after with a smug little grin on it's face..
It was pretty flat at first when it was patchy but as it came in it got pretty choppy.. I did one bum clenching run through the bigger chop expecting to get thrown over the front any minute then as I hit flatter stuff (4-6") I went for it..flew through the bergs at warpspeed and came to a flighty stop thinking that's got to be 35 +..31.4! what?
GPS showed 34.5 on the dial and I thought that will do..later I saw the 10sec was only 33 so I knew I'd lose some..I was going to go back out and have a decent go at a nm but it was howling..Byron was on a 5.7m and I asked whether I'd survive with a 5m and he said 'no'.....Ego said "have a go ya mug"..brain said..mm I want to live for another day and Myall lakes is next week..brain won for once.. Glynn was having trouble hanging onto his 6.3m.
Some good moments- a few nicely powered balance works upwind , a good gybe, fun bearaways , scary as hell bearaways.. - that feels good..keep working at it..
I want my 4.5m cammed sail waa!!! It's on order.. That will make days like this a bit less deadly.. although a 4m would have been good today..
I thought I was seeing double.. 2 sailors went past together with 2 north sails with the same number..???? Realised it was RIc plus Jeff with Rics old sail..
Lots out - Ric , Lyds , Jeff, Matt, Andrew, Pugs , Brent, Bruce , Byron , Steve ,Hugh , youngens, Glynn and others..
Ps - if Seabreeze Norah graph says it's gusting to 30kts in a W stay home or bring a hankerchief..
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