Windxtasy (15008km):
6 hours ago Third time lucky.
After last Saturday's strong wind sailing left me stiff and sore for half the week, I decided to start early today while the wind was lighter and the tide low.
Arrived to 12 - 15 kn and very low tide. Proceeded to rig the big gear, Is107, 24FF and 7m Koncept. By the time I had the board down by the water the wind had picked up to 15 - 16 kn and I decided the 6.2 would be a better bet. By the time I had rigged that and suited up, the wind had picked up again to 16 - 18 kn. I thought a smaller board would be a better bet but I had redone the gasket on my 24FF and wanted to test it with the iS111 to see if it had corrected the spin out problem. Did one run, was way overpowered, but I did not spin out. Back to change to the M91 with 22 FF and 6.2Koncept. This combo felt a lot more comfortable, but to my surprise the board started spinning out even in the flat water. I kept going for a bit and then stopped to turn around and catch my breath. When I went to get back on the board, the tail could not be manouvered into a position where I could get on. I thought there must be weed on the fin and tipped the board over to check. To my surprise there was not only no weed, but no fin either. I had put it in the board but at some point it had fallen out. I contemplated rigging my harness around the tail for a bit of grip but didn't like my chances of getting back through the shallows with that arrangement, so it was a long walk back. I was glad I was at Coodanup and not over the channel at Point Grey.
By the time I got back the wind had picked up again to 18 - 20 kn. I was worn out after my long trudge through the shallows. I contemplated going home, but after battling the long weekend traffic for an hour to get there, I didn't want to leave without having a bit of fun.
I knew I would have no energy for packing up 3 sets of gear at the end of the day, so I packed away everything I had already rigged and still having some energy left I started again. 5.4Koncept, 54 Manta and 20 FF. This was a good combo but clattered over the chop. 30 kn first run. Just. I tried moving the mast foot back. Slower. Moved it forward again, a bit further this time. Smoother but still 30 kn. A bit further forward and could really feel more pull in the sail. 31. a bit further forward and reached 32. Thought I would try a run from the top of the nm end to see if I could get more speed - another 32 but that was all. I was tired by this point and I didn't feel like juddering through the chop to complete the nm, so decided to call it a day.
On my way back in I nearly cleaned up Fangman who was heading out just as I hit some chop and I came unhooked doing 27 kn, but I managed to hook in again and slew around him. Clearly I didn't give him too much of a fright becasue he has offered to go out at low tide and look for my fin - The GPS track should give him a good starting point, at least.
I feel totally wrecked again, and it feels like it will be at least Tuesday before I can move freely.
| 
