Sailquik (29582km):
1328 days ago Sandy Point, Vic.
Peter twisted my arm to go for a sail when I probably would have overlooked it. I'm very glad he did. That's what true friends are for.
It was an unusual true NW direction, quite warm and it coincided with low tide so we had a two hour window to sail the Yanakie Channel. It was quite hard to decide on a sail and board size when we were rigging with the Annemomter showing everything from 10 knots to 28 knots. We started rigging 6.3m and 6.6m, but it seemed to fill in a bit, so we switched to 5.7m's, and I think that was spot on for the most part. I went with the IS87, rather than the IS80 and I think that worked out better as well.
I was keen to try another of Martin Loves Atomic Prototype fins and this was the perfect opportunity. I feel like a need a fin with a bit of rake here at Sandy these days, as there are small bits of ribbon weed in the water. Upright fins can lead to frustration when they catch one small sliver of ween and it kiils performance until you stop and clear it. On the other hand, 40 and 45 degree fins compromise performance where it is not really warrentad, so Martin made a couple of roughly 30 degree rake fins based on the Weapon foil and shape. I tested the 30cm version this session and I am very positive about it. It seems to retain the great characteristics of the upright weapon slalom. I will need to try it in a range of conditions, but it seemed faster and more secure than my other similar options. i had tried the 28cm verion before, and this 30cm one seems to suit the IS87 better with it's wider tail.
The bank in the Yanakie channel was just the right angle for the NW wind in the stronger gusts, but bit broad in the soft lulls.It was hard to get a good gust in the right place.
This is really the only place at Sandy where we can get a decent NM. Or it used to be, but now a sandbar has cut off the first 500m so we have to go around the corner at the end an do the last 6-700m on a tighter and slower angle. Still good fun, but not as fast. I was hoping to get 30NM, but pretty happy with what I got in the circumstances.
Lots of people around today and even a few other windsurfers. Thanks for the arm twist Pete!
IS87 (2017), KA Speed 5.7m, Atomic 30 deg Weapon prototype. Mini Motion.
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