Liptons, M95, SV M2 5.5, Tribal delta 20

Great session, lots of wind getting stronger through the afternoon. More fitness required

Coodanup, WA, AU

1 categories

Peel Inlet, WA, AU (Liptons)

Great session today with a bunch of enthustiastic sailors from Pinnas and MM. Managed to convince Lunny to go exploring across to Boombas and found a nice little spot where we got some good runs. Decided to name it "Big Dan's corner". Picked a good day to take the afternoon off work - awesome sail and feeling quite knackered.

WindTech 57 with 18cm Tribal Delta, 6.3 Loft Racing Blade.

Peel Inlet, WA, AU

Finally a decent big blow but just couldn't get into the groove. Big turn up for Liptons and plenty of happy chappies about. Good to catch up with the locals and other fly ins.

SB w49, evo 4 5.8m, Tribal Swsp 21

5 categories

Peel Inlet, WA, AU

A great day finally Liptons turns it on first time this season. Lots out lots of happy people and a bit of carnage as well Started on the 6.3 just for a warm up until the wind booted, changed to the 5.5 and for a while thought it aint happening. Slowie rocks we disscussed how it wasn't that windy then it kicked in enough to have a reat little play. I stayed in the Liptons corner as port tack is my favourite side, that is until the last run. One of the buckles broke on the seat harnes put me off balance just as I was going into the speed run, rail caught big time and to the amusment of slowie who was behind me an instant stop, ripped the harness hook clean off, and this time damaged one rib and the left hand. Oh well a few nurefens should do the trick I hope as an Albany trrip is on the cards for Saturday

Manta 54 KAR 5.5

Pelican Point, WA, AU

Faaark that was windy!!

Probably the strongest breeze I have sailed at Peli, with gusts well over 30k.

Went with the Windtech 64 + 6.6 TR7 + 33 Tribal WS (after a brief flirtation with an old 32 Goldwing, but I was going sideways almost instantly, so not enough fin for this set-up).

Pretty happy with the numbers given how choppy it was (and how over-powered I was).

Mostly short bearaways off the point, until it got too choppy and hairy for speed, so I went for a few alphas.  Blistering speed into, and out of, my gybes, but I couldn't manage a fast gybe in the chop, so I'll have to be happy with a 23.

The 64 continues to impress, she's a lovely ride, even when it gets hectic 

Good to catch up with Hooksey, and nice to see Stringer out sailing after a long absence.

Not a bad sesh for a weekday after work 

1 categories

Peel Inlet, WA, AU

A great arvo at Liptons with the usual speed freaks. Stroppo talked me into going straigt onto the speed board, glad i did as it went pretty well, only the second time I've used it since building it. Stoked that Dan persuaded me to head across to Boombas. The chop on the way was consistant and the flat section on the point was sensational. Maybe a tad less wind but very flat water. 

Never really felt huge power in the sail today, great fun though

Lunny Speed 48, SV M1 6.2, Tribal ws 23

3 categories

Peel Inlet, WA, AU

A great day with heaps of pbs amongst a happey crew. Rigged the 5.6 on the JP speed 50 with a 24 wp expecting the 40 knot gusts. I finally got my dues for ignoring the shallows. Had a top stack coming out of Pt Grey, broken harness lines and a good wake up call to carry a spare line in the future. Sailed back to the bottom of Liptons and walked through back to the carpark where I should have rigged the 6.4 but stayed on the 5.6. Fantastic session to see everyone sending it with so many pbs. Top day indeed. 

https://youtu.be/5nUDH_54rxE

Melville Beach, WA, AU

That was out of control.

The smallest sail I had with me was a 6.2 and certainly needed a bit of lead because I was getting lifted right out the water when ever I did a bear away for a speed run.

Good fun

Peel Inlet, WA, AU Mistral 41 speed, 21 Tribal superweed, 5m Koncept, $10 Sunshine boom. No lead. initially 20 - 25 kn, later 24 - 27 kn. 

Just before lunch I trod on a piece of glass and cut my foot. If the forecast had not been so exceptional I might have decided not to soak my cut foot in the estuary all afternoon, but I threw caution to the wind (literally) and went sailing anyway.

Last year I didn't do any speed sailing because I was concentrating on gybes, and my top speed for the year was 32.5.  My previous PB was 34.999 set in Dec 2016. I had managed high 34s numerous times since then but had not been able to crack the 35 knot barrier. Today I told myself I would be happy with 34. First run 35.5! Good bye 35 knots! On my next run I also did close to 35.5 and so I thought I could be onto a 5X PB as well. Then came a couple of 36 knot runs, so I kept going in the hope of a 35 knot 5X. I managed 5 runs in excess of my previous 2 sec PB including 3 in the 36's. I wanted another 36 to ensure a 5X10 over 35, but my arms were struggling to pull me up after the speed runs - it takes a lot longer to slow down after 36 knots!, so I thought I better head back across the choppy channel (now 27 knot winds) while I still had some energy left. It is a long way back to the other side and by the time I got there I was pooped. I decided to drag the gear to the beach and walk back to the car.

2 sec - 36.68, 36.52, 36.42, 35.51, 35.45

5X - 35.8, 35.22, 35.18, 34.91, 34.75

Everyone was asking what made the big difference in speed. I think it was the right gear choice for the conditions. It all felt well balanced, not overpowered and not underpowered, just comfortable until coming back across the channel.

EDIT: I just remembered that yesterday I put my harness lines further back than I usually do. Did that make the difference?

It is interesting to note that my previous PB - the 34.999 was on the same board and fin and a similar sized sail, but I do remember thinking a wider board would have been better on that occasion. 

It was also interesting that a lot of the guys must have been threatened by my healthy PBs and went out and tried a lot harder after that and improved their scores! Not to be outdone by a lady...

It was great to see such a big group of sailors out enjoying the exceptional conditions. A very successful road trip!