Tomorrrow's dot forecast looks insane. Looking to see if there's decent SW before the line gets here. Edit: it'll probably be a very gusty SW. Forecasts show temps in the low 60s and rain moving in around 3-4. Radar will be your friend.
Friday and Saturday are classic winter days. I'm mewing and whining over the mid 40s forecast but not awful. Water will be about same temps as the air, though. More inclined to do Saturday with forecast of 46-48.
Small gear and lots of neoprene. Given the conditions, if you are unsure of your skills, safer launches recommended. It can get big and inhospitable out if you have to spend time in the water
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If the forecast holds, I plan to join you Saturday.
Barrett
Unless the temps come up, I am going to pass on these days.
moredownhaul
anyone want to think about coming up to Hartwell tomorrow (Friday) ?? Some forecasts calling for 15-25 mph or even 20-30 mph winds from the NW and WITH a balmy air temp of 50F
Demetri and I are 'likely' to hit the water somewhere at the southern end of lake. Not sure where yet...but likely to be one of these three locations (see picture).
1 - red) Big Oaks Rec area immediately on GA side of dam (nice grass space for rigging, launch would involve a walk down a paved boat ramp)
2 - yellow) A "Scenic overlook" immediately on SC side of dam (good grass rigging, launch from a small beach at NE end of tiny cove which shouldn't be too difficult to get out of in 1 or 2 tacks with that wind direction)
3 - green) Sadler's Creek State park (grass rigging, facilities, launch off an uneven sand/mud/rock shoreline that's not too bad. not nearly as much open fetch towards the NW at this sectcion of lake).
(of note I've just called Big Water Marina and learned that a launch I've used there in the past is no longer accessible by car, making for a 1700 ft walk. Crossing that off the list of options. And majority of Singing Pines is also seasonally closed, and would require a 1000 ft walk to it's best launch spot too. Elrod Ferry and Long Point rec areas also sadly closed for season).
Think I've just ruled out the option of sailing Hartwell this afternoon and am focussing on tomorrow.
Gary, tempting. The 41-42 predicted at Lanier is not.
It got a little breezy at my house.
zzholt
Well ... live report for ALL those following (
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Hartwell is fizzling. (Might be 10-14 mph currently)
This is launch at boat ramp at big oaks rec area on GA side of dam, looking north. Had a nice hour mostly in the straps on a 6.6 ...but it's going light now. Just as well, probably, as I was sailing so as to avoid learning even the slightest thing! (I.e. sailing mostly to avoid swimming 😁).
So for all who may be surfing the web today... 🍻
And I'll look forward to next time
Happy new year everyone!!!
Langdon
webguy
I'm thinking about tomorrow, Saturday.
VP at midday.
Ed
Dry suit and full gloves time! Should be there by 1ish
Im at VP. No one else here yet. Water temp 48. Wind blowing 14mphish steady with some gusts. Plenty of whitecaps.
If you are there before Hamdi, you are early.
I think those who are going are waiting for the sun to warm stuff up a bit.
Have fun! I may wait for the arrival of spring mid-week. I'm a weasel, I know.
I plan to sail at VP after lunch when it's warmed up a bit.
Barrett
FoilDodo
Today qualifies as an ice breaker. Even though the Lake wasn't frozen, the temperature briefly dropped to 32ºF mid-afternoon, and then warmed to 38ºF by the time we were all off the water about 5PM.
Jake was driving off when I arrived, so I don't know if he sailed. Hamdi, Ed, Chris P. and I arrived early afternoon and sailed together. Hamdi foiled with a small sail and the rest of us windsurfed. Gilmer reported NW 18-28 mph when we were on the water.
Roland stopped by, so I asked if he could take some pictures with my telephoto camera, Here are our photos:
1. Barrett, Hamdi, Ed (Chris was out on the water)
2. Low temp. of 32ºF at 2:30PM
3. Ed sailing with 6.5m sail
4. Barrett 7.0m & 120L board
5. Chris P. 5m sail?
Barrett
webguy
moredownhaul
FoilDodo
I am in awe of you guys. My fingers and toes, however, appreciate my discretion.
Glad you all had a memorable session and were properly prepared for the conditions.
Sometimes, I overestimate my friends... they are more like me than I'm willing to admit.
I was overprepared.
I brought a pair of warm NP gloves, you can see them hanging on my harness.
Useless stuff; after 15 minutes my forearms were so exhausted I couldn't hold the boom.
I don't know why they are selling them.
DO NOT RECOMEND
Oh, that sucks. Been there myself. That's a big reason my hands are fried is how much I hate using gloves.
I've got some waterproof fabric work/fishing gloves you can try. Recommended on the Pac NW list. Yeah, gloves for that weather are tough. Palmless mittens are kinda good but at that temp, still not really enough for me.
Sizing on these is tricky. I think either a M or L is my size. I've got both after the size indicated by their chart was way off.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265554510950
Advantage of foiling is less boom pressure so easier to get by with dodgy gloves. I may be interested in yours... Again, sorry for how the gloves went. Sure that's frustrating.
NP gloves are yours.
I have a pair of ION palmless mittens. I just thought they wouldn't be enough.
Whatever size fits of the Showas is yours as well. If you like them.
Just cut the palms out of those gloves
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