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Nice day at Bird. Forecast was for a Norther and it hit almost exactly on schedule. It came in quick, too, from near nothing to 30 knots in about 30 seconds. One beginner who was out came in and tried to figure out what he was doing wrong. He was relieved when we told him that the wind had quadrupled!
I was the first out in the big wind (after the first gusts, it settled at about 22-28 knots), on my 6.6 and Screamer. It was okay, though I was quite sufficiently powered up. After a couple of hours the wind seemed to increase so I went down to my 5.4, which also worked. Well, worked is a strong word. The size was correct, but it was way out of balance, owing to the mast track distance to the tail on the Screamer, which is a whopping 62 inches where most boards nowadays are in the 48 - 53 range, tops. This makes a big difference in comfort and rig balance. The 6.6 is passable if I move it all the way back in the track, but the 5.4 is just too far forward, no matter what. I am looking at buying a new board, or a newer used board.
I had a few great wipeouts. Once, on the 6.6 and my new, never-before-used by Hans Finworks 14 inch weed fin, I was sailing with John to the other shore when I hit bottom about 1/4 of the way across. I was hooked in and in the straps and just thought, "Hmm, looks like a shallow spot, I better unhook and slowdown." Well, I did unhook and slow down, but much, much faster than I was hoping. I was in ankle deep water when I pulled my boom out of the mud and washed it off. Somehow John didn't hit, though I was following his path rather closely. I survived, as did all of my equipment.
A little while later I tried a jump, which I'm just starting to do, and did something stupid. All I know is that I hit hard on top of my sail, still hooked in and led with my ear (I was wearing a helmet, but it still hurt, I must have it the boom or mast, or maybe even the board, but that doesn't seem likely).
I also cut my wetsuit on the new weed fin. Man, you gotta be careful around those suckers.
My jibes weren't very good. The water was a lot choppier than usual, which is fine, but it threw me off. I started leaning back again and wasn't agressive enough. I "made" about 8 of 10, but only 1 of 10 was a jibe I was really proud of. Putting together a complete jibe is hard. Generally I do about 2 of 3 things right and end up butchering the jibe. One or two of 10 were complete. Nice carve, a snappy sail flip (I forget you have to do more than let go with your back hand, this is a common problem I have), switch feet, still planing(!) sheet in and get back into the straps. I got my timing about the time I started to get tired. After sailing for 5 hours, which was more than I sailed total in the previous 3 weeks, I was not very sharp. Not exhausted, though.
I'm thinking about a Starboard Carve 111 or Carve 99 for my new shortboard. Besides the masttrack problem, the deck on the old Screamer is getting really soft in spots and the non-skid is awful. I think a new modern board will be the best thing.
It was such a good day sailing... 70ish air, 65ish water, sunny with 20-30 knots. Good times.
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