Just got in from a late afternoon session, one hour plus on my 6.0 and 115 liter board, planed most all the time (excluding jibing.) It was a little chilly, but sunny, wind was pretty strong and steady, had some north in it so zero wind shaddow. Overall, really nice, except for sailing alone.
Tomorrow (Thurs) is supposed to be stronger, sooooo, everyone, come on out.
OK, I'll give the report, it sucked! It was really blowing, Marcel, Chris P and I rigged 5.0/5.2, as soon as we got on the water it started dropping. We did plane some but it sucked. Barrett who was a few minutes behind us decided to rig his 5.9, Chris and I came in and rigged up (rigging and derigging 2 sails in super cold weather sucks,) Chris to a 5.7 me to my 6.0. While we were rigging, Barrett was slogging on his 5.9. Since we rerigged, Chris & I went on out and slogged while Marcel came in and rerigged to his 7.0. and then Marcel slogged on his 7.0. Chris stayed out the longest and did plane a little at the very end. And as we were breaking down the gear, it was icing up.
It was so bad it was comical. On my fun factor scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 0. It was kind of funny in a sick way.
And, we'll probably give it another shot today, Friday, as we still have a good forecast. EVERYBODY, COME ON OUT!
I was powered up for the first 10 minutes of yesterday's session. For a windsurfing addict that's all it takes to entice me up to the Lake for another day of sailing in ice water.
Gene - excellent reporting. Brings back memories. It sure would be considerate if the Corp of Engineers would install a hot tub for the ice people at V Pugh.
Pretty good 4.7 session here at Hilton Head yesterday. Until the kiter took a smack and got separated from his kite and board and had to swim half a mile to the beach. The current took his board one way and the wind took the kite in the opposite direction - out to sea. I grabbed my truck - 130 liter Nimitz class - and had a wild downwind ride with the 4.7 to catch the kite. Got the kite tied to the back of my board after flailing in the water half and hour, but could not overcome the wind / water resistance when I attempted to tow it in. 16 meter kite vs 4.7 m sail = sailing backward in 25 knot wind. Finally had to untie and let the kite head for Bermuda.
Good forecast for the next 4 days. Kiters will have to fend for themselves.
Tim, sounds like you were the minnow trying to pull the boat, glad you made it back OK.
How is the water temp at HH, is the beach access good? I should make a road trip some time over the next 4 -8 weeks to sail with you. Your conditions sound better than what we have...I've almost given up on sailing Lanier.
Today's epic session made up for yesterday's erratic winds and freezing gear. Marcel was first out on a 5.0, then Gene & I joined him with our 6.0 & 5.9m sails. Randy rigged a 4.5 and Chris a 5.8m sail - and the amazing thing is we were all able to plane. Abundant sunshine made today's 39F temp. feel warm. No icebergs, but there was some lingering ice along the shore.
Marek - Beach access is good. Water temp is mid-50s. Air temp this time of the year is usually mid-60s but we've had below normal temps this winter.
Feb was a decent month - 11 days in the water. 5 days of 4.7. There were a couple of honkin days that work interfered.
If you plan to come visit, give me a heads up so we can talk about how to get your gear through the gate with no hassles. Should be in shorties in another 3 weeks. tc
We're grounded at the Miami airport waiting for the second leg of our flight back to Atlanta. Hopefully I'll make it home in time to sail tomorrow.
Barrett
Just got in from a late afternoon session, one hour plus on my 6.0 and 115 liter board, planed most all the time (excluding jibing.) It was a little chilly, but sunny, wind was pretty strong and steady, had some north in it so zero wind shaddow. Overall, really nice, except for sailing alone.
Tomorrow (Thurs) is supposed to be stronger, sooooo, everyone, come on out.
Gene
Gene Mathis
It's Blowing and starting to WARM up. I plan to sail Van Pugh around 2:00 or 3:00.
Gene
Gene Mathis
I'll be at VP around 2:30
Marcel
Well?? Was it refreshing? I see it got up to 37º today and the water temp is down to 42º.
Refreshing is probably not the word they are looking for here.
Man-up-able is probably a bit more applicable.
PeelSkid
OK, I'll give the report, it sucked! It was really blowing, Marcel, Chris P and I rigged 5.0/5.2, as soon as we got on the water it started dropping. We did plane some but it sucked. Barrett who was a few minutes behind us decided to rig his 5.9, Chris and I came in and rigged up (rigging and derigging 2 sails in super cold weather sucks,) Chris to a 5.7 me to my 6.0. While we were rigging, Barrett was slogging on his 5.9. Since we rerigged, Chris & I went on out and slogged while Marcel came in and rerigged to his 7.0. and then Marcel slogged on his 7.0. Chris stayed out the longest and did plane a little at the very end. And as we were breaking down the gear, it was icing up.
It was so bad it was comical. On my fun factor scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 0. It was kind of funny in a sick way.
And, we'll probably give it another shot today, Friday, as we still have a good forecast. EVERYBODY, COME ON OUT!
Gene
Gene Mathis
Gene,
Don't feel so bad. It was probably still more fun than the conference call I endured. But, thankts for making me feel better about missing out.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I was powered up for the first 10 minutes of yesterday's session. For a windsurfing addict that's all it takes to entice me up to the Lake for another day of sailing in ice water.
Barrett
Gene - excellent reporting. Brings back memories. It sure would be considerate if the Corp of Engineers would install a hot tub for the ice people at V Pugh.
Pretty good 4.7 session here at Hilton Head yesterday. Until the kiter took a smack and got separated from his kite and board and had to swim half a mile to the beach. The current took his board one way and the wind took the kite in the opposite direction - out to sea. I grabbed my truck - 130 liter Nimitz class - and had a wild downwind ride with the 4.7 to catch the kite. Got the kite tied to the back of my board after flailing in the water half and hour, but could not overcome the wind / water resistance when I attempted to tow it in. 16 meter kite vs 4.7 m sail = sailing backward in 25 knot wind. Finally had to untie and let the kite head for Bermuda.
Good forecast for the next 4 days. Kiters will have to fend for themselves.
tc / thin'air
Tim, sounds like you were the minnow trying to pull the boat, glad you made it back OK.
How is the water temp at HH, is the beach access good? I should make a road trip some time over the next 4 -8 weeks to sail with you. Your conditions sound better than what we have...I've almost given up on sailing Lanier.
Marek
Marek
Looks like we have the same crew coming out again today (fri) but since Randy, the man, missed all the fun yesterday, he's manning up today.
Around 2:00, Van Pugh, be there!
Gene
Gene Mathis
You guys are the MEN.
... watch out for the ice bergs.
Too cold for me.
Marek
Today's epic session made up for yesterday's erratic winds and freezing gear. Marcel was first out on a 5.0, then Gene & I joined him with our 6.0 & 5.9m sails. Randy rigged a 4.5 and Chris a 5.8m sail - and the amazing thing is we were all able to plane. Abundant sunshine made today's 39F temp. feel warm. No icebergs, but there was some lingering ice along the shore.
Barrett
that fun factor is so sick!
today I walked to the middle school field and flew my trainer kite. No ice, no cold.
Mimi
Marek - Beach access is good. Water temp is mid-50s. Air temp this time of the year is usually mid-60s but we've had below normal temps this winter.
Feb was a decent month - 11 days in the water. 5 days of 4.7. There were a couple of honkin days that work interfered.
If you plan to come visit, give me a heads up so we can talk about how to get your gear through the gate with no hassles. Should be in shorties in another 3 weeks. tc
tc / thin'air