2 categories

Dave and I went back to the same place as yesterday. Forcast was really good so rigged the 2010 Code Red 5.9, Select SL 7 31cm fin and 08 Isonic 76. Wind was pretty good, then picked up to around 60-70 knots. It was absolutely insane, took shelter  behind a tree on the beach. Once it backed off to about 40 took off for about 1km run back to where the car was. Very lucky to get back, upon arrival the police was waiting there cos someone rang them and said we were in trouble. All was good and saw Dave walking up around the corner.

2 categories

Sailed out from the Sorell Causeway again with Steve today.  Looked pretty windy before we went out, but after approximately 40 minutes of sailing and a few good NM runs the wind came through with a vengance.  I could see what looked like a storm front approacing and decided to gybe and head back to shore, but then when it looked to be more rain than wind (and 'cause I was 10 minutes into a 1hr) I gybed again and headed back out.  That turned out to be the beginning of a 70 minute saga.  Wind came through and continued to pick up from 20-30 knots to 40 plus, at which point I dropped the rig (instead of just sliding sideways and struggling) and decided to sit it out. Didn't stop at that though with an absolute gale proceeding to blow through.  The airport wind meter which was about 5 km away and 4m high gusted up to 49 knots, but I'm sure that was in the lee of the prevailing wind!!  In between what can only be described as storm fronts you could see the next blast coming across the water like a sheet of white, with sections just whisping up into the air.  Each time it was a matter of just sinking the rig and hoping not to let any of it get lifted out of the water by the wind.  What was relatively flat water in 20-25 knots was now breaking waves.  Anyway, after 40 minutes of drifting, the wind dropped enough for me to get back up and make a dash back in to shore.  Managed a few more runs in and out in the shallows to help get me back up wind a bit and then walked the rest of it back to where we left (another 30 minutes).  The walk was right past the chicken processing place in waist deep water and my mind turned to sharks as the water was completey stirred up and brown (still preferable than heading back out again though!!).  Saw Steve make a dash from the other side of the bay at this stage, which was a good effort, as it was still howling.  Despite the gale, still a great spot and can't wait to get back there.

Well done on your PB NM Steve!!! 

Sailed: Starboard 2009 iSonic 86, Severne 2010 CR 6.5, C3 Venom 30cm