iWinsurf Opportunity!!

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JCastelli
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Joined: 04/09/2006 - 21:09
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iWinsurf Opportunity!!

I am relatively new to the sailing group here in Atlanta, having moved here from Dallas. I am fairly close with the folks at iWindsurf, and have asked them to get some sites up in Atlanta.

If anyone doesn't know what iWindsurf is, check out their site http://www.iwindsurf.com. They are an awesome resource when there is a windmeter up at the local sites - you are able to look and see if its windy right at the beach real time. You can also get this info on your pager or cell phone! I used their site all the time in CA and TX when I lived out there.

Anyway, they would be willing to investigate putting a few wind meters up at Lanier if I can get get them some good info and contacts. So my question is this:

What are the best sites to consider for this? Is there a marina or other establishment (or home) close to the site that they try to get to host the wind meter?

Most of my Atlanta sailing has been at Van Pugh, and I know there is the Aqualand marina there across the lake. Does this make sense for a site?

Does anyone have other/better suggestions?

Let me know

Julian

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Randy
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Joined: 05/05/2002 - 10:38
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We just had a thread about the "alleged" wind meter at Aqualand. (See "Try this Link.") It is claimed there is already one there, but there is some suspicion it is some 15 miles away. The biggest problem at Lake Lanier is windshadow - its may be very hard to find a spot that has good winds from more than just the "favored" direction. Even Van Pugh is a problem because the normal launch spot can be very windshadowed.

Since we don't know where the Aqualand Marina is, it might be worthwhile to sort that out. If it is on the lake, perhaps it I think there would be interest in a windmeter at Lake Lanier, but it may take some work to find the best spot. Might take more than one.

Lake Lanier sailing club might also be a possibility, but, it may be windshadowed from the NW.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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crpainter
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Joined: 09/06/2004 - 08:47
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It would be helpful to know for sure what resources are needed for a windmeter but I presume AC power and a phone line are essential. Assuming this, it will be a bit of a challenge to find a non wind shadowed site. My suggestions would be at the tip of the Aqualand pennisula, or perhaps at the end of Old Federal Park. Also we'll need to find a property owner willing to host the meter. The sites can be somewhat unusual. As an example, my recollection of the meters on Maui are, for Kihei (i.e. the south shore), the top of the western most condo in Kihei, and for Kanaha Beach Park (i.e. the north shore), it's at the end of the breakwater which forms Kahului harbor.

... Chuck Painter.

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
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I think you are right on the requirements: AC and phone line, but I will check with the guys at iWindsurf.

Is anyone familiar with the AquaLand marina, or know someone there?

If someone is in the area and wants to stop by and check it out that would be great. I will try to do so as well, but will probably not be there for a few weeks.

I know someone at the Lake Lanier Sailing Club, I'll check in with them.

Julian

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webguy
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I think the western-most point of Aqualand would be the place to put a first anemometer. It would give good readings in any kind of west (the most 'interesting' wind directions. LLSC is sheltered in NW wind, and has a clear view of south to west winds. East readings there would be iffy.

cv

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Randy
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For east reading Gainsville is pretty accurate. In fact, I've found that for easterlies, the lake can often be a little better than G-ville, esp. in the am on a day when the air is colder than the lake -which is fairly typical in the morning hours.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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webguy
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We've been over this again and again for ten years. The problem with Lanier is that the wind on the water is very different than the wind on land or even the wind on the water 200 yds away. No matter where you put it, some interpolation will be required.

Aqualand simply doesn't see the same wind as the slot up by Lake Lanier Islands on a W. The difference can easily be a sail size. Aqualand won't see the same wind as Vanns Tavern either. The beach at Van Pugh is notoriously wind shadowed on a SW (we all look like noobs trying to launch out of the swirling hole there). And how many times have I regretted trying to sail the gap in front of Aqualand from VP to the sailing club only to fall in the wind shadow and shlog?

If someone wants to spend their nickel and put up a meter - have at it and enjoy. But first, spend some time on the water around the lake and during different conditions to understand the issues. Then think whether that's any better than putting a wind meter on top of a very tall and open hill - ie Gilmer.

There are reasons we only go to specific places for certain wind directions and unless we can afford a number of meters, just putting up one is a big compromise.

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Barrett
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Joined: 12/23/2003 - 23:07
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The ideal spot for a wind meter is on top of a pole on the island in front of Van Pugh Park. If the meter can be powered by solar cells and transmit the wind speed, direction (and possibly temperature) every five minutes or so, it would be very useful indeed. All of the land locations have problems with wind shadows.

Bird Island Basin in Corpus Christi has an anemometer (wind gage) mounted on a platform anchored to the bottom of Laguna Madre. The gage is incredibly useful because it gives unobstructed readings. I beleive it is solar powered, so the technology is available. It's a question of obtaining permission from the Corps. and finding affordable equipment.

Barrett

Barrett

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FoilDodo
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Joined: 03/19/2008 - 23:50
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If " the island in front of Van Pugh Park" means island #16 (see link to COE map- go to grid eight), I agree. That island sees more wind from more directions than anywhere nearby. It would be cool if it could be solar, etc.

But if it costs anything to set up or use, I'd stay with the Gilmer method. It already works so well. If it ain't broke...

cv

http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/navigation/NavCharts.html

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webguy
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webguy
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It looks like they do have some telemetry meters that use solar as well as the ones that are connected to power. I'm checking in with them about that and cost, etc...

So it sounds like the island, and Westernmost point of Acqualand are the 2 top recommendations.

I'll post what I find out.

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JCastelli
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Joined: 04/09/2006 - 21:09
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I spoke to the folks at iWindsurf and they are interested in putting up a sensor. They can do either a normal one at AquaLand at the end of one of the piers, or potentially a telemetry one on the Island you guys discussed. Their deal is they are asking for a local club or marina to "sponsor" the cost of the installation, and then they will keep it up and running and post on the web. They also offer some incentives to "sponsoring" organizations in the way of advertising. The cost is $2000 for the regular meter and $4000 for the telemetry one.

What do you guys think, do you think that would be worthwhile? Do you think the club and the Marina might be able to split it? I'd be willing to throw in $50 bucks.

Let me know.

Julian

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