Hi
Well what a sail this afternoon it was magic.
Got there after work 3.30 it was the perfect NE until the first storm rolled in and just before the storm hit the wind dropped for 5 minutes and then as it started to rain the wind kicked in again just a bit stronger what a thrill. Interesting while sailing in the rain and the drops where big it felt like hail hitting the face.
Then the second storm was roliing in so it was time to pack up, just managed to get the gear to the grass area and the heavens opened and lightning it was a worry, but at least the gear is washed.
Packing the gear in the van was like opening the plug from a pool water everywhere but it felt good after that session.
Has anyone experienced sailing during storm weather.
Thanks
Was there any lightning? I've been caught in a storm while windsurfing a couple of times but not since I took it up again after moving to Sydney. Usually I'd shelter under the sail if out in the water.
Nice pics Walt - a far cry from the weekend.
Watch out for that lightning - it's a real killer!!
Hey Shear tip,
Yeh a far cry from the saturday weekend but today you could park anywhere and only 5 of us out on the water bliss if only the weekend could be this crowded.
I try to get a sail in during the week days then I don't fell as bad losing a sail on the weekend if something is planned by the wife.
Lightning everywhere moby and it looked like a lightning strike hit one of the planes on the runway.
Its all good thou
Kind regards
Walt
Hey Walt - thanks for uploading the pics. As expected they don't quite capture the feeling of imminent armageddon we had down there but it certainly looks wet. I'm just glad none of that youth group mucking about in the sea got struck by lightning - I was certainly glad to be under cover. On the drive back I was counting the seconds between lightning bolts - on average one flash every 10 seconds or so. Quite a storm!
Hi Sparky72
It was amazing just glad we got out of there safely and live to sail another day.
The young dudes where sure game to stay on the waters edge with so much lightning around.
Nice to of meet you and hope to catch up again on the next sail day.
Kind Regards
Walt
Chris C and myself had a quick go yesterday about 5 after work. Looked ok as we rigged but after a couple of very short just runs we saw the storm front getting closer, sky was a little green in places. Oops!!
We drifted back to the beach as lightning crashed around the sky. Super hurried de-rig and change as the wind went SW and huge raindrops started. Just made it into the vehicles, wind was honking on the way home. Like you guys said it was totally different from Saturday!!
Here's the wind chart from yesterday - check out what happens at 5.15pm - 20kt ENE to 25kt SW in less than 9 minutes..!
( rocket & KA sail..
The wind had shifted 360 degrees during the storm without me knowing..Lucky it cleared when it did..Bit more cautious in those conditions now and I whimp if there is lightning.
Sailing in a storm is normally not a good idea. I have done it and seen sheet lightning give several fellow sailors an electric shock. Luckily no serious injuries though. Pity carbon is such a good conductor.
Confucius say "Man who sail with lightning usually not a bright spark".
Hey Sboardcrazy,
I'll return the ka sail and rocket as soon as possible.
I love the rocket it suit's my sailing and the ka koyote is my second sail I have owned in 25 years as well as the rocket.
There might be better combinations out there but I won't be changing any time soon.
Once my son is older and ready to sail my gear will be handed down to him then I'll treat myself with new geat and probably another rocket/ka maybe.
Anyway thanks
Kind Regards
Walt
The wind had shifted 360 degrees during the storm without me knowing.
Hmmmm A 360 degree wind shift? Let's see? 90deg,ah a right angle, 180 deg half way round, 270 almost back to where I started, and hey presto, 360 , but whats that, nothing really changed!!!!!
Ive actually experienced that before
Once at kurnell in a strong NE a sutherely strom cell came thru and switched the wind to the south for about 5 min then the seabreaze kicked in again and it swung all way round to the NE again.
a second time i sailed thu a mini twister . Sometimes when the big jumbos land you get little wind willys coming off the runway and they shoot out across botany bay - when you run into one you tend to get slammed :)
My sail is a Ka Kult 5.8m but looks pretty similar.
