Yes, those readings from Gilmer were true. It really was blowing up there Saturday. I'd say it was 8-12 with the occasional 15+ gust. The readings on the NWS site were 12-14. Given that it looked absolutely dead in atlanta, I was quite happy.
It definitely blows harder upwind in the gap near Lake Lanier Islands. I had a few gusts where I was holding on, fully puckered, er, powered. It wasn't that hard working upwind, played with the sailboats a while and then had the great sleigh ride home.
On coming back downwind, found that I'd suckered TC into coming out. Marek had been out before me and seemed to be having fun, too.
The chop was pretty bad early in the afternoon but after the big motorboats went home, it was lovely.
After spending all day in just a swim suit and vest, I hate to think of those February days.
William you were flying out there on Saturday. I got some good rides, but had to slog it between the gusts, you seemed to be powered up most of the time. I know your sail was big, but I did not quite see the square miles number on it when we went by each other. Please let me know what I need to buy, I want to be flying just like you next time.
Marek
Freakin' big. I used to laugh at Flipper when he rigged up like this. I was on the Loft 10.8. It was very manageable (can one actually say that about a 10.8?).
I still can't believe I'm writing this. I used to be scared of my 7.5. I don't think I'd rig it for those gusty NWs but those light and steady SW-W, it makes all the difference.
If it hadn't fell into my hands, I wouldn't be on anything larger than a 9.5 (I can't believe I'm saying that either) I got it as a goof and have ended up using it 5-6 times in the last month and a half.
What were you on?
OK now I understand why it took you so long to get the sail out of the water near the launch. I was on a 7.9, need to get a 9.5 at least then. Can't believe that just 8 months ago a 6.6 was the largest sail I ever used in my 14 years in the sport. Maybe there was an imperial to metric conversion,,,, no wait that was Canada.
Didn't take that long- I had to undo the uni and route the uphaul correctly (it made an extra loop around the boom) before I could come out.
7.9? Funny, TC and I were laughing about the old days when Flipper had an 8.2 and all of us on 7.5s were agog. That 8.2 looked really big back then. And those silly longboarders with 9.5s (of course, you could extinguish a small forest fire with the water those luff sleeves could carry).
Check Gene's shop he has two 9.5 ready for the taking, one includes a fixed carbon extension so it can rig on a 490. Sorry for the shameless plug. I really enjoy my 10.3 its got my going when in the past Iwould be shlogging around. I'm thinking of getting a 12.5, since I got to ride one that was attached to the one of the brand new Formula boards that are just out. The new boards resemble a satelite dish. Or maybe RCA does'nt make baords after all.
Plop
Danny Johnson
OK, I'll bite, How old is that VMG?
its a '00 model bought new on closeout in 01, its worth taking a look at.
Plop
Danny Johnson