Desperate measures for desperate times. Both Langdon and I noticed leaves moving while working and, for some reason, thought we might score something late today - most likely wishful thinking. Yes, on a sunny, East wind day, we went in the afternoon to Vanns. Obviously, when we got there, there wasn't squat - maybe 3-5. Sailboats were furling their jibs and cranking up the engines.
But, we're idiots so we decided to wait. There was the occasional 6-7 puff but not enough to warrant rigging. However, we noticed that as the afternoon progressed, the small clouds were fewer (less thermal mixing?) and the puffs more insistent. Finally, after watching it for probably an hour or more, we decided that there were enough puffs to warrant at least bobbing around.
Rigged and hit the water and within five minutes we were both rewarded with a puff strong enough to get us off the water. For the next 30-40 minutes we probably flew 50-60% of the time, lots of pumping but not a white cap in sight. Finally, I noticed an equipment issue with my sail so I went in and Langdon followed in to help me get the stuff in. Moral of the story - afternoon cooling can sometimes make an East worthwhile.
Langdon: Flyer 8.2, Infinity99 Me: HG) 8.0 Tillo freerace with ++ fuse
Desperate measures for desperate times.
So where were yo guys on Wednesday evening, I was on a sailboat thing it would have been nice on a board when the wind kicked in just after 7pm.
Does anyone have navigation lights on boards, is legal?
Yeah, saw that on FB and kicked myself for not being there. Looked nice and fresh. In the Desperate Season (new one for the slang wiki), I hate missing any possible day.
You can hang a light from the mast I guess. Chris Pyron has done more than a few night sails, I'll defer to him for more advice on that. My reluctance is that power boats seem to have a hard enough time seeing me in the day time. If you are going slowly (longboard, etc), I think it would be better but going faster - planing or foiling speed - wouldn't click with a lot of boaters' lizard brains who wouldn't understand why the light is moving so fast. I'm still suffering PTSD from a recent near miss.
BTW, big shout out to North Beach Windsurfing who sorted out my sail issue quickly and very cheaply. Batten tensioner (and spare) already in the mail.