Adrian those sails take a bit of time to dial in so you just need to perservere a little. Having said that i didn't spend too much time on my big gear as I was a bit worn out from the night before and the chop in the middle was pretty sverere on the big slalom board and sail. That is one downside of a tight multi cam slalom rig, you do feel the bumps unless you're totaly dialled...I was feeleing them yesterday!

I did go out for some slogging practice as I was itching to try my new wave board which has a max sail of 5.8m. Needles to say that with a 5.8 and a 83l board I had plenty of slogging and submarine practice. Got the board going a couple of times, it felt good, cant wait for a surf session.

I will get my tracks down loaded but I didn't get any good down wind runs as any attempts were either hampered by severe chop or boat / jet ski. 

Nice PB on the distance Karl... especially if you were rigged big (board) in choppy conditions.

Get those tracks up Des... we only need another point or two to jump a spot to beat the ACT team!! :)

To be honest I did not play with the tuning of the rig much. I was confident I had enough downhaul (could not have gotten more anyway). I did release the outhaul to about an inch or two negative as the wind was dying later. Interestingly, my quick run was the run immediately after that... so maybe the wind and loose outhaul combined to give me a nice run... but I struggled to get back barely planing (and not) for most of it. Interestingly, I had to bung the boom down pretty low to get any balance with the sail on the board. I think it would have been better more wind. Also my adjustable harness lines keep gradually going to the longest setting which does not help. I think 30 knots of wind with my little fin and the base back further and some flat water, that I should get towards 34 knots hopefully. Unfortunately it really seems to be luck of the draw lately in terms of getting a good run. It seems nobody was going very quick out there today... chop/wind/traffic did not align!!

This sail is a more full on race sail than I have ever used, but I have used race sails before... but not in a long time. It had been a couple years since I had even sailed a cambered sail. Water starting was not a major issue. The biggest issue was the feel in the sail in marginal winds. You can really feel when the sail is trimmed right with the hellcat. With this sail, I just had to keep adjusting the trim until it felt the most powerful... not as much feedback from the sail. I think the biggest problem was that I was just was underpowered in all but the big gusts. So I got tired out quickly (falling in alot from zero wind or back winded) from slogging around. I think in stronger wind I would have enjoyed the sail more. It did feel good when powered up. Oh... one more thing... The big luff really restrict visibility when not planing... I had to keep looking around to make sure I was not about to run into someone!!

The went did not do as promised today... I was expecting it to kick in hard... and it pick up, but it was very holey even when it did pick up... not the best day I have had.

Cheers,

Adrian

Congratulations on the Distance PB Karl !!!!!!!!!

Hi DDs,

Des, where are those tracks... we may be able to get a few more points for Jan!! Also, I purchased a rig winch like what you had during the week, so should be right for downhaul now.

Karl, nice tracks. I have sailed there myself once... I was the only one out and crossing the bay like you. Nice sailing spot. I had some dolphins come up to me also.

Looking like maybe some wind tomorrow, but I probably can't sail... will see, but I am supposed to be painting!! :(

Cheers,

Adrian