GPS Team Challenge - Pinnaroos (WA, Australia)

Glory Holes, Australind, WA, AU Decided to go for a drive to check out the tide levels at GH. Knew that it was dropping started on the AV that lasted 2 runs not comfortable on this board swapped to the Frankenstein 98L manta so much better. Tide when I started was .75 nice depth for the 29 tectonic fin plus direction was NW so all runs into the chop, wind was a bit up and down so only mucked around a bit until it looked like it was slightly steady. Decided to test the fitness and go for an hour, was looking reasonable to start but then the wind decided to play silly buggers and drop a few knots I tried to glide through the lull but dropped quite a bit of speed. Took about 10min for the wind to become consistent and was on target for a 21-22 hour but three dropped gybes in the washing machine chop the lever of the boom popping open and having to stop to adjust and as per normal wind decided to slowly die in the last 5 min ended up with just over 20. Still happy that got through the hour . Tide when I left was .5 and the water was looking flat pity the wind was NW today a westerly would have been magic. So inner harbour Bunbury storm surge data when it reads .7 and dropping with perfection being .4-.5 and a westerly it’s then time to sail GH. Great catching up with Ratz. Manta 98 KAR 7.1

Flex (20578km):

927 days ago

1 categories

South Yunderup, WA, AU. Was farting around doing other stuff and didn't notice wind was cranking down south so got a late start. Arrived to dead flat conditions and was immediately kicking myself for not starting earlier as was perfect distance day. Fully powered to over powered on the 8.6. The FF18 had to be babied as although flat wasn't glass so couldn't really push it. Wind kept getting stronger and after 60km decided to come in to change down board and sail so I could take advantage of the better wind. Wind was really cranking when I went out on 7.0 and almost changed down again. Got upwind enough to try a speed run and was looking super promising and fin feeling super stable in the almost glass conditions now tide had dropped then wind died to a chug fest (had missed the 20 mins or so of good wind with rig change)...limped back to base and back on the big gear...as you can predict wind picked up again but didn't want to faf about changing back so hung on. Tide was pretty low and a bit hairy close to eastern side but noticed a car tyre sticking out right where I'd be doing speed runs last session, so chucked that on the board and sailed it back to shore. Strong wind didn't last and turned into a nice cruise then dropped dead right where I thought there was a crab pot buoy I had been dodging. Turns out it was a solar powered green light like on channel markers or boats. Tied that to the board and chugged back to base. Noticed I had 400 or so meters till 80Km so chugged out again to get the 80. Shoulda come earlier. Put the light in the van as thought could salvage some bits and it started working. iSonic 117, SvT 8.6, FF18

Pointman (27338km):

927 days ago

Underpowered foil after work at Rocko Beach.

It was gusting over 20K when I arrived, so the 800 wing and 7.8 seemed a reasonable choice, but the breeze dropped a bit and the combo was marginal.

This was a shame, as the NW direction lent itself to nice long runs along the shore.

Twice I foiled up to the west end of the Sound in good pressure, only to slog all the way back

So a bit frustrating, but still nice to get out.

Comments

SRS73

WA
Australia

927 days ago

More great recon Boz!

Windxtasy

WA
Australia

927 days ago

Nice hour despite the mishaps Boz.

I had that gybing in the chop experience yeaterday

I have found that 0.4 - 0.7 is ideal for Australind also

Flex

WA
Australia

927 days ago

Nice hr Boz, Glad I hung on and got me a jelly bean back. Looks like you were copying me on Alpha and NM..still exactly 4knots faster than me as always

Boz

WA
Australia

927 days ago

Snap, yep near identical Jim. There was more speed to be had when I finished the hr probably the strongest wind while I was chatting to Ratz. Didn’t go out as the gaffa tape on the foot had come loose and the heal slice started flapping so didn’t think it was a good idea to push it. Nice job on clearing the junk in the water👍

Flex

WA
Australia

927 days ago

Mised the most of the wind today trying to work out how to upload photos here. Managed to paste them in if changed size as Decrepit suggested and 'appears ok' but doesn't work (on Mac). So another quick video of today's entertainment. Don't think I have the Youtube 'shorts' format sorted as supposed to be rotated 90deg for mobile but is short and no effort editting. https://youtu.be/YTyAJeG_RA0

Windxtasy

WA
Australia

927 days ago

Good work on the hour, and the graphics, Flex.

Would it have been deep enough for a 24 fin at Yunderup today?

Flex

WA
Australia

927 days ago

Windxtasy, basically yes. Since I don't seem to be able to post pics can't sketch on map but if you look at my tracks on KA72 https://www.ka72.com/Track/t/498739 (or just google maps image) the sandy patches are the shallow bits...i.e. launch spot, around and east of the island. Stay in the green and you'd be fine. The shallowest bit was 150m directly south of island where I was dredging at speed with the 18. Whilst I could sail over the sandy bits I stayed away most of the time as was flatter in the weed. The surface weed you could see was no issue and could blast through it without even a tug...its the sort of yellow goo stuff underneath the water that you can't see that gives the most scares. If you walk 50m west from where I launched it would save doing the same walk in the water. Staying west of the island by 100m it was fully sailable on 24.

Snickers