"Lake Lanier is much larger & in my experience, has less gusty wind."
OK, that just hurt my feelings. The forecast is for East winds today. I've sailed mostly at Galt's Ferry for the last 15 years. I'm no expert, but in my experience, Galt's Ferry is awesome on an East wind, steady wind and Hatteras like smooth water. The Wiki says "Because of the surrounding mountains, locals say this place rips on an East wind. For the big fall and spring westerlies, even those who live on Allattoona make the trip over to Van Pugh on Lake Lanier."
Yes, on a West wind, Galt's is typically gusty and challenging for sure. However, NW to NNW can actually be quite steady, rivaling conditions at VP. It's also a good place not to have to deal with the washing machine chop that I've experienced on Lanier. Galt's is a good option for those of us who live on the NW side of Atlanta and don't have time to spend sitting in traffic on the Top End Perimeter.
If it picks up, I'm going to try Galts. NWS, Intellicast and iWindsurf all give a slight edge to 'toona. It's a little closer from home and the return trip on TurkeyDay Eve will be nuts on 85 or 400... maybe notsomuch on 75??
South on I-75 is usually not a problem in the afternoon and traffic has been non-existent this week. Going north in the evening (after 3pm) is "soul killing".
South on I-75 is usually not a problem in the afternoon and traffic has been non-existent this week. Going north in the evening (after 3pm) is "soul killing".
I used to make that drive 2-3 times a week when the kids played soccer just a few years ago.
If I had to do it today, the kids would not be playing soccer. I'll stop here before I descend into one of my diatribes about Cobb County and urban/transportation planning.
E 13 G 23 (10:47) Marietta, Cobb County-McCollum Field Airport
E 13 G 25 (10:58) Marietta / Dobbins Air Force Base
E 13 (10:53) Gainesville, Gilmer Memorial Airport
Jim & I sailed Van Pugh. Trees were hardly moving during drive to Lanier, however once here - solid whitecaps. Used 8.5m downhauled to middle mark, 146L board, planing jibes. Jim got out as I switched to JP Light Air board at 1PM. Wind died at 1:30P. How was it at Altoona?
Update: Whitecaps picked up again as I was driving off at 3PM after packing up & lunch in the van. The wind gage at Gainesville Airport is wind shadowed from the East and under reports.
Simular wind at Galts. Crispy (5.8) and Ed (7.5) got there just after me (6.5) at 1. Wind pulsed up and down with a mostly down trend until I left at 3:30. Things I learned about foiling today:
• "Getting it up" is easier said than done
• Gusty doesn't help learning
• Schlogging is "different" with a 3.5 ft appendage hanging off your stern and NO volume in the nose.
• Sandy bottoms are better than rocky bottoms
• Put something floaty on your prescription sunglasses when there is a high risk of unusual attitude crashes
• When things go quiet.... it's pretty cool... no matter how briefly
William and I went in the afternoon. The turkey traffic jammed up on 285/85 and 75 North early on. So we went up 400 to Tidwell. Started sailing around 3. It was up and down at the start and then it filled in nicely. Beautiful afternoon as the sun came out and ended up being a great session.
Chris glad you got going on the foil. I was curious how you did. The water was up at Lanier. How was it at Galts? It looks like you need deep water for it.
William and I went in the afternoon. The turkey traffic jammed up on 285/85 and 75 North early on. So we went up 400 to Tidwell. Started sailing around 3. It was up and down at the start and then it filled in nicely. Beautiful afternoon as the sun came out and ended up being a great session.
Stephan has been fired as chronicler of my adventures. He omitted the best part of the day.
I had decided to work way upwind towards Lake Lanier Islands as it filled in; I wanted to take a long sleigh ride back down to finish the day. The breeze was a pretty steady 15-20 and the water nicely organized since there was virtually no boats out. It was great fun to go off the wind and crank into jibe after jibe.
As I got closer to shore on the last few jibes, I noticed a white pickup in the parking lot. It suddenly occurred to me that I had forgotten to hang my parking pass. I didn't think it likely but it would have sucked getting a parking ticket on such a beautiful day with only three cars in the parking lot.
I finally got onshore, set my gear down and walked across the parking lot to share with Stephan how much fun I'd had, too. To my relief, I saw the pickup was private, not a ranger. However, the window on the pickup rolled down and the guy (our age-ish) began to say something and hold something up to the window.
"Hey, would you like a Coors LIght? I gave one to your buddy and I couldn't not give one to you. I saw you guys with my binoculars and it was fun to watch you sailing."
My new friend went on to explain that he sailed Hobies and he had really enjoyed seeing Stephan and me on the water.
I'm not typically a Coors Light guy but, at that moment, it was the best beer on the planet.
(Okay, okay. Stephan wasn't fired. He was put on paid administrative leave for the weekend.)
Well I knew you wanted to tell your own story so I just created the scene for you to color.
Personally I thought it was enough to at least let everyone know of the sailing report.
Well I knew you wanted to tell your own story so I just created the scene for you to color.
Personally I thought it was enough to at least let everyone know of the sailing report.
Thank you, kind sir. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my judgment. Any negative assessments in your file have been purged.
I'm in. Still hopin' to test my new fin!
Thanks to ShredDog for the photo.
You know, to launch that thing, you'll need a different wet suit.
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
THAT's funny.
Would Galts work for you guys?
Intellicast shows a little more wind at points west.
Lake Lanier is much larger & in my experience, has less gusty wind. Let's talk in the morning 404-378-2752.
Barrett
"Lake Lanier is much larger & in my experience, has less gusty wind."
OK, that just hurt my feelings. The forecast is for East winds today. I've sailed mostly at Galt's Ferry for the last 15 years. I'm no expert, but in my experience, Galt's Ferry is awesome on an East wind, steady wind and Hatteras like smooth water. The Wiki says "Because of the surrounding mountains, locals say this place rips on an East wind. For the big fall and spring westerlies, even those who live on Allattoona make the trip over to Van Pugh on Lake Lanier."
Yes, on a West wind, Galt's is typically gusty and challenging for sure. However, NW to NNW can actually be quite steady, rivaling conditions at VP. It's also a good place not to have to deal with the washing machine chop that I've experienced on Lanier. Galt's is a good option for those of us who live on the NW side of Atlanta and don't have time to spend sitting in traffic on the Top End Perimeter.
Bill Herderich
If it picks up, I'm going to try Galts. NWS, Intellicast and iWindsurf all give a slight edge to 'toona. It's a little closer from home and the return trip on TurkeyDay Eve will be nuts on 85 or 400... maybe notsomuch on 75??
South on I-75 is usually not a problem in the afternoon and traffic has been non-existent this week. Going north in the evening (after 3pm) is "soul killing".
If I had to do it today, the kids would not be playing soccer. I'll stop here before I descend into one of my diatribes about Cobb County and urban/transportation planning.
E 13 G 23 (10:47) Marietta, Cobb County-McCollum Field Airport
E 13 G 25 (10:58) Marietta / Dobbins Air Force Base
E 13 (10:53) Gainesville, Gilmer Memorial Airport
Bill Herderich
Jim & I sailed Van Pugh. Trees were hardly moving during drive to Lanier, however once here - solid whitecaps. Used 8.5m downhauled to middle mark, 146L board, planing jibes. Jim got out as I switched to JP Light Air board at 1PM. Wind died at 1:30P. How was it at Altoona?
Update: Whitecaps picked up again as I was driving off at 3PM after packing up & lunch in the van. The wind gage at Gainesville Airport is wind shadowed from the East and under reports.
Barrett
Simular wind at Galts. Crispy (5.8) and Ed (7.5) got there just after me (6.5) at 1. Wind pulsed up and down with a mostly down trend until I left at 3:30. Things I learned about foiling today:
• "Getting it up" is easier said than done
• Gusty doesn't help learning
• Schlogging is "different" with a 3.5 ft appendage hanging off your stern and NO volume in the nose.
• Sandy bottoms are better than rocky bottoms
• Put something floaty on your prescription sunglasses when there is a high risk of unusual attitude crashes
• When things go quiet.... it's pretty cool... no matter how briefly
Chris, glad you had some "quiet" moments, therefore foiled briefly. Thinking of going tomorrow, so is Jim. How about U?
Barrett
William and I went in the afternoon. The turkey traffic jammed up on 285/85 and 75 North early on. So we went up 400 to Tidwell. Started sailing around 3. It was up and down at the start and then it filled in nicely. Beautiful afternoon as the sun came out and ended up being a great session.
Chris glad you got going on the foil. I was curious how you did. The water was up at Lanier. How was it at Galts? It looks like you need deep water for it.
Stephan
Stephan has been fired as chronicler of my adventures. He omitted the best part of the day.
I had decided to work way upwind towards Lake Lanier Islands as it filled in; I wanted to take a long sleigh ride back down to finish the day. The breeze was a pretty steady 15-20 and the water nicely organized since there was virtually no boats out. It was great fun to go off the wind and crank into jibe after jibe.
As I got closer to shore on the last few jibes, I noticed a white pickup in the parking lot. It suddenly occurred to me that I had forgotten to hang my parking pass. I didn't think it likely but it would have sucked getting a parking ticket on such a beautiful day with only three cars in the parking lot.
I finally got onshore, set my gear down and walked across the parking lot to share with Stephan how much fun I'd had, too. To my relief, I saw the pickup was private, not a ranger. However, the window on the pickup rolled down and the guy (our age-ish) began to say something and hold something up to the window.
"Hey, would you like a Coors LIght? I gave one to your buddy and I couldn't not give one to you. I saw you guys with my binoculars and it was fun to watch you sailing."
My new friend went on to explain that he sailed Hobies and he had really enjoyed seeing Stephan and me on the water.
I'm not typically a Coors Light guy but, at that moment, it was the best beer on the planet.
(Okay, okay. Stephan wasn't fired. He was put on paid administrative leave for the weekend.)
Good story! I'm glad it ended with a beer rather than a ticket.
Barrett
Well I knew you wanted to tell your own story so I just created the scene for you to color.
Personally I thought it was enough to at least let everyone know of the sailing report.
Stephan
Looking forward to the next coors light session