mathew forum posts in last 60 days

Just thought I would post a message to show that the 80's are still in vogue - go for a sail in the Whitsundays, and windsurf in the white sands of Whitehaven Beach.... a few friends decided to hire a catamaran for 5 days.

After a 4hr briefing, we set out from Airlie Beach. Sailed out to Langford Island Reef on the first day - was blowing 22kn most of the way, which made for a an 8+kn cruise across the wind. Got there a bit late in the arvo, and being the first day on a new boat, we missed the timeslot for a windsurf. Some of the passengers got their first taste of forgetting-to-take-TravelCalm !

The next day we headed off to Whitehaven Beach... the pics from the 80's kept us calling. Got there just after lunchtime. Some of us had a good session in the clear water and white sand. Wind speed was at 18kn.

The third day had 16kn, so bigger gear.... but very fun !

4th day was about 8kn, so a swim and snorkel. Then a downwind cat-sail back to the inner side of the islands.

5th day back in the marina.

It was a good test for the viability of such a cruise. The skipper has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, but that was 20yrs ago in a mono-hull. Rigging the gear on the deck, turned out to be easier than expected; connecting/disconnecting the mast-base, was harder than expected. Anchoring up in the wind, needs a lot of practise and a lot of patience. And then there is the logistics of getting everything on board, setting used to stocking the food for a week, etc.

Maba said..
I'm am after more on the flotation side of things, we all end up in the water at some time

We all end up in the water at some point. The question was more of ... do you need an "official vest" (say a real life-jacket or other high-buoyancy vest) or just some extra flotation.

All vests give flotation - you will be surprised how little extra you need so that you float higher in the water. It isn't unusual for people to float (in ocean water) even without any extra floatation, and for those people that sink most only need to hold their breath to float. As such, you only need a few litres of extra floatation to make a significant difference.

If you sail with other people, and if they are using a vest, ask them for a try with their vest.

I wouldn't say Greece isn't windy... it has Karpathos for speedsailing, and Vassiliki for freestyle - both require high winds.

One of the best things to do for the plug - in my righteous opinion - use two o-ring's.

It is what is used on diving equipment, so we should learn from that field of expertise.

Another nice day, a bit gusty but nothing to complain about - nice on the 4.2m. Wind direction was SSW.

Some nice little ramps on the inside; even with the outgoing tide, there wasn't much current at all. The outer bank had big holes in the wind making it a bit unsafe; outgoing-tide making it a bit of a washing machine on the outer bank.

Went around the old lighthouse, there is a solid wave just to the south - to get to it requires sailing through the outgoing current, so it isn't for the faint of heart. Which also means, dont fall on that wave...

Then the wind came in SE... time for some speed runs. The edge of the bank has changed a bit since a few months ago, no longer straight... but still good enough for 36kn.

As one can see from the track, the satellite photos are quite old...

Bluey's photography got out the drone on the same day (just a bit earlier).

www.facebook.com/share/v/1MHJFEDViy/

jdfoils said..
The answer of gusty holey conditions is to foil

A very small movement of feet or change in mast-foot pressure, does require a change to pitch/roll/yaw/height. ( This is a result of physics and nothing to do with opinion. )

Are you suggesting as a way to improve technique - as it certainly wont be less-sensitive to gusts than on a fin ?

Sunday 4th July ... Bribie Bar is working well.

Tide wasn't too low leaving enough water across the bar. Very smooth on the dead-north edge of Bribie Island, which then leads to some nice ramps.

Once the tide changed, the waves on the outer-ledge were holding a nice bottom turn (but only a single turn).