That's a nice looking session Stephen.

Looks like you have a good sand bar to get in behind.

5.1 is plenty in those winds 

Steeepheeeen!!!!

Well done Stephen. You seem on a mission of pbs lately.  Some good speeds

Thanks everyone - each time I go out I learn things that I try to remember for the next time!

But having sailed the channel alot recently (its been soooo windy!) I knew how close I could get to the bank before hitting the bottom. I had to bail on some runs as I was not comfortable on the approach and didn't dare blast down the channel, this allowed me to check the depth futher up the channel and confirmed the bottom section was the best it could be for that wind angle.

Really think I can go faster here as the chop was not that bad until you came away from the bank at the bottom.....time will tell.

Be also good to try a smaller sail + smaller board and probably fin, but small (40cm to 45cm) boards are hard to find secondhand. 

To add to my notes.... the tide was a 1.2m low tide and I went out when tide was 1.3m and came in when tide was at 1.2m.  The channel was not too rough but it remains to be seen how much better it would be at say 0.6m to 0.8m (which is the best tide for a NW).  My feeling is the top of the channel would be better (so you could do longer runs) as you can get closer to the bank, but it may not make much difference at the bottom of the channel.