There is some Tropical Activity in the Atlantic, BUT the Marine Forecasts do not show much. Anyway, could just be wishful thinking, it is Hurricane season.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the coast, looks like a one day event and Joe Oleary just happened to go to Tybee yesterday (sat). Timing is everything.
I planned this trip with the family about 4 weeks ago, so getting all the wind was pure luck.
This was my first time to Charleston. Although I've wanted to go for a few years, it just never worked out until now.
Got there about 1pm on Saturday, checked in, ate lunch, and got to the beach at about 2:30. There were 5 to 6 guys on the water and at least as many kites (if not more). By the time I got the kids all set up with the beach blankets, sand buckets, shovels, etc. and got my sail rigged up, it was probably 3:30 by the time I hit the water with a 6.5m. I rigged on the big side; all of the other guys were using anything from 5.7 to 6.3. But not having had a good day since early May, I was not going to slog no matter what. Conditions were great, overpowered to even more overpowered. The tide was coming in so the inside area was getting more and more bumpy (washing mashing like). Actually, going way out past the sand bar made it much easier to jibe in the bigger swells. After two hours and bleeding hands, I decided to save some skin for Sunday.
Sunday morning did not look too windy and there were passing showers. So we decided to get some history in. Twenty bucks and an hour later the four of us knew all about the Hunley (rusty old iron pipe with a hand powered crank – actually it was cool to see). Then a quick lunch downtown, and some time for the kids to splash in the big fountain I the park and we were off to the beach again. Good thing too as the wind was up in full force and the sun was out again. By the time we hit the beach it must have been 4pm. Rigged a 5.4m and got a good three hours in. The tide was up again so it was very bumpy close to the sand bar, but nice and smooth for the jibes close in to the shore.
Monday, got was an all beach day. Wind was steady, but only strong enough for a well powered 6.5m. The tide was out at mid day on Monday, exposing the sand bar completely. This made for some supper flat water all out speed runs. Other than two guys just learning near the shore, I was the only guy out. By 5:00pm the Low System (I think they called it a Tropical Storm by this time) had moved north and it was all over.
The three days were not supper windy, but it was consistent, full on powered up sailing. I'd say the last time I got this lucky is some time in High School in 1983.
Actually, check marine f'cast for FL panhandle - call is for 15K Sat. thru Tues. - East Sat & Sun. Good forecast for Cape San Blas or ?
Destin area is currently in seaweed mode. The gulf is loaded with the stuff. Only good sailing would be the bay until this stuff moves out.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the coast, looks like a one day event and Joe Oleary just happened to go to Tybee yesterday (sat). Timing is everything.
Gene
Gene Mathis
Just back from gulf shores and lots of seaweed there..
Sat-Sun-Mon at Station 29
I planned this trip with the family about 4 weeks ago, so getting all the wind was pure luck.
This was my first time to Charleston. Although I've wanted to go for a few years, it just never worked out until now.
Got there about 1pm on Saturday, checked in, ate lunch, and got to the beach at about 2:30. There were 5 to 6 guys on the water and at least as many kites (if not more). By the time I got the kids all set up with the beach blankets, sand buckets, shovels, etc. and got my sail rigged up, it was probably 3:30 by the time I hit the water with a 6.5m. I rigged on the big side; all of the other guys were using anything from 5.7 to 6.3. But not having had a good day since early May, I was not going to slog no matter what. Conditions were great, overpowered to even more overpowered. The tide was coming in so the inside area was getting more and more bumpy (washing mashing like). Actually, going way out past the sand bar made it much easier to jibe in the bigger swells. After two hours and bleeding hands, I decided to save some skin for Sunday.
Sunday morning did not look too windy and there were passing showers. So we decided to get some history in. Twenty bucks and an hour later the four of us knew all about the Hunley (rusty old iron pipe with a hand powered crank – actually it was cool to see). Then a quick lunch downtown, and some time for the kids to splash in the big fountain I the park and we were off to the beach again. Good thing too as the wind was up in full force and the sun was out again. By the time we hit the beach it must have been 4pm. Rigged a 5.4m and got a good three hours in. The tide was up again so it was very bumpy close to the sand bar, but nice and smooth for the jibes close in to the shore.
Monday, got was an all beach day. Wind was steady, but only strong enough for a well powered 6.5m. The tide was out at mid day on Monday, exposing the sand bar completely. This made for some supper flat water all out speed runs. Other than two guys just learning near the shore, I was the only guy out. By 5:00pm the Low System (I think they called it a Tropical Storm by this time) had moved north and it was all over.
The three days were not supper windy, but it was consistent, full on powered up sailing. I'd say the last time I got this lucky is some time in High School in 1983.
Marek