Not likely that many will join you- it's warm, springtime, sunny and an east breeze.
Sounds great but it means little likelihood for wind.
The sun is going to kill most of the breeze as the day heats up. Not only does it kill the easterly (see previous threads) but this time of year, the water is colder than the air and when you get nice warm days, a bubble/dome of cold air sits over the water blocking any breeze.
At the beach, you'd get a nice thermal about 1 pm with these conditions but this definitely ain't the beach in more ways than one. We keep hoping that the asphalt around the Mall of GA will generate something but no sign of that yet.
Days like this can sometimes work out, but you really have to get to the lake early (like 8-9 am). i often go up 400 to Tidwell, if by 7-8 there are some decent wind reports (i.e. 10 or better) at Gainsville. Going early means the air is cooler, so that you don't have the problem (as bad at least) of warm air sliding over cold water (think syrip being poured onto a frozen plate). Also, as webguy explained, easterlies get clobbered by the afternoon anyway. While people focus on the dying off in the early pm, also equaly true (but overlooked) is the fact that often an easterly will build till about 10 - 11 am. So if you get there early, you can catch it on the way up, and quit when it drops off. I like to see a forecast that spikes around 10-11 am in the models, and of course, as much wind as possible. However, if you bring a big enough sail, you can get a lot of good sailing on these early day easterlies. Even days when the models were only showing wind reach 7-8 kt can sometime turn out well, on an easterly.
For years, I would watch the wind building, and around 10 it would hit a decent amount. I'd get to the lake by noon, and by the time I rigged up it was pretty much over. So the trick is to see what its blowing early in the day.
Finally, all of this works best in the fall when the lake is warmer than the air. You can get a lot of wind on the lake, even when G-ville is only reporting around 10 kt or so on a fall day. (Think warm syrip being poured on a hot plate - it really moves)
A final point - if you go up 400 to get to the lake, usually the southbound lane it pretty clogged up, early in the day. So if you go to the lake, you are pretty much committing yourself to being there for a while, since it will take a long time to get back. (Fortunately for me, I haven' headed out very often, just to decide I should turn back.)
Randy
—
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Also, as webguy explained, easterlies get clobbered by the afternoon anyway.
unless it's cloudy - then the mechanics that kill the easterly don't or are less likely to happen. I've sailed easterlies even at sunset in the summertime (thank heavens for 10+ sails and wide boards) and was planing.
Finally, all of this works best in the fall when the lake is warmer than the air.
We've had some killer Sept/Oct sessions when the water is still very warm, the forecast is only for 10 and we are having a blast on 5.5s or 6.5s. Some of my most memorable Lanier sessions were at Vann's Tavern in those conditions. And God help the poor fool who rolls in at noon and asks us what we were rigging. All you can do is shake your head and wish them luck.
Not likely that many will join you- it's warm, springtime, sunny and an east breeze.
Sounds great but it means little likelihood for wind.
The sun is going to kill most of the breeze as the day heats up. Not only does it kill the easterly (see previous threads) but this time of year, the water is colder than the air and when you get nice warm days, a bubble/dome of cold air sits over the water blocking any breeze.
At the beach, you'd get a nice thermal about 1 pm with these conditions but this definitely ain't the beach in more ways than one. We keep hoping that the asphalt around the Mall of GA will generate something but no sign of that yet.
oh, and to add insult to injury the avn and ngm models look brutal, too.
enjoy the bike ride
Webguy, Any chance you have a soccer tournament planned soon?
Just a reminder, Gene's Consignment has a Kayak for rent, $20 per day, $40 per 3 day weekend, or $80 per week. :roll:
Gene
http://www.expage.com/genesconsignment/
Gene Mathis
Days like this can sometimes work out, but you really have to get to the lake early (like 8-9 am). i often go up 400 to Tidwell, if by 7-8 there are some decent wind reports (i.e. 10 or better) at Gainsville. Going early means the air is cooler, so that you don't have the problem (as bad at least) of warm air sliding over cold water (think syrip being poured onto a frozen plate). Also, as webguy explained, easterlies get clobbered by the afternoon anyway. While people focus on the dying off in the early pm, also equaly true (but overlooked) is the fact that often an easterly will build till about 10 - 11 am. So if you get there early, you can catch it on the way up, and quit when it drops off. I like to see a forecast that spikes around 10-11 am in the models, and of course, as much wind as possible. However, if you bring a big enough sail, you can get a lot of good sailing on these early day easterlies. Even days when the models were only showing wind reach 7-8 kt can sometime turn out well, on an easterly.
For years, I would watch the wind building, and around 10 it would hit a decent amount. I'd get to the lake by noon, and by the time I rigged up it was pretty much over. So the trick is to see what its blowing early in the day.
Finally, all of this works best in the fall when the lake is warmer than the air. You can get a lot of wind on the lake, even when G-ville is only reporting around 10 kt or so on a fall day. (Think warm syrip being poured on a hot plate - it really moves)
A final point - if you go up 400 to get to the lake, usually the southbound lane it pretty clogged up, early in the day. So if you go to the lake, you are pretty much committing yourself to being there for a while, since it will take a long time to get back. (Fortunately for me, I haven' headed out very often, just to decide I should turn back.)
Randy
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
unless it's cloudy - then the mechanics that kill the easterly don't or are less likely to happen. I've sailed easterlies even at sunset in the summertime (thank heavens for 10+ sails and wide boards) and was planing.
We've had some killer Sept/Oct sessions when the water is still very warm, the forecast is only for 10 and we are having a blast on 5.5s or 6.5s. Some of my most memorable Lanier sessions were at Vann's Tavern in those conditions. And God help the poor fool who rolls in at noon and asks us what we were rigging. All you can do is shake your head and wish them luck.