At RQYC tuning up for the RB Worlds.
Forecast looking good for mostly moderate breezes. 80+ entrants including 4 previous world or Euro champs! Really great bunch of people. Hoping to make the top half of the fleet.
My Worlds 2016 started promisingly; was about 35th at the end of day 1; and felt confident that I could improve from there; but alas failing to compete in 5 of the 15 races (the strong wind Thursday; and ripping the clew area on two borrowed 9.5's and being too f slow to rerig the 8.5 and get back out to the start!) So faded to 45th. But I'm optimistic that it's only up from here.
Will be out there for Raceboard practice today; probably with an 8.5
Forecast looking good for a Lion and return marathon.
Awesome Sunday! Map of approx. path.
Cleared the SaltPan moorings at 3:30 pm and headed on starboard tack into the gusting nor-noreaster. North of Scotland Is I rotated the centerboard up about 5cm to prevent the 8.5m forcing round-up back-slams. Struggled up to the lee of LongnosePt where I could maximize the downhaul & outhaul, harness lines further back, mast all the way forward, and tacked eastward across towards the AvalonSC. Thinking it's too late to go back and change down to a more stable RSX 8.5 or even the BIC 7m; I tacked north railed-up and started to gain some reasonable momentum and a bit of confidence; at times well overpowered, and occasionally stomping the centerboard right down to maximize pointing through the 10 to 15knot sections. Past the shifty gust and lulls between WestHd and Barrenjoey the breeze moderated to a safe level enough to push on to LionIs. Decided to round it from the western end - but this left me with a hairy downwind sou'easterly broad reach over the very lumpy swells, heading eastward of the Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Pulled away into a dead square run, rocking & rolling down the swells until halfway between Barrenjoey & WestHd; then turned south-east with the gusts onto the plane. Adjacent the red & white channel marker with the strengthening breeze, at full stretch into the back straps and flying confidently back down to Avalon. Gybed well before the Avalon moorings and heading westward past LongnosePt was able to bear away with howling gusts, planing at max Raceboard speed for a good half kilometer, gybing back at the outer edge of MorningBay, into another beautiful fully powered broad reach all the way to be at the outer edge west of SaltPan at 5:05pm. Zero falls, zero sail drops - Stoked!
Scotland Island wind recording 08/01/2017 pittwaterweather.com.au
StokesPt wind recording 08/01/2017
And yes, about time I get a GPS app so I can review the exact route and speeds.
Beautiful afternoon sail on the Raceboard from 16:45 until sunset. Doesn't take much wind with the 9.5m to get it to rail-up and cut a reasonable line to windward. (perfect except for the mozzies while unrigging in the dark)
3:30 to 5:30pm from SaltPanCove to about 250m short of Barrenjoey-WestHd & return, in 3 to 8kt ENE with the 9.5m on the Phantom377
Hopefully BYRA's PeterLoftMarathon up and around LionIs on Sunday 7 May will score a bit more wind. Might have another practice session tomorrow in the forecast 10-15kt northerly. Hope to see you out there.
Good luck to all participating in the Peter Loft marathon tomorrow. Sorry but I won't be able to join you but I will be sailing on Pittwater, so if you get a cheer from an 11mOD as you pass, well, that's me! Fair winds and good sailing!
any chance you can start posting videos,longboards are more popular than you think.
Select to expand quoteAyreForce1 said..
Beautiful afternoon sail on the Raceboard from 16:45 until sunset. Doesn't take much wind with the 9.5m to get it to rail-up and cut a reasonable line to windward. (perfect except for the mozzies while unrigging in the dark)
Hey, I'm a member of RPAYC (live in Belrose) and have just aquired an Equipe and 9.5 Race Sail. Happy to get out on the water with you. Winter is a bit of a no go cause of skiing every weekend, but come October, happy to get out on the water with you.
I could also talk to the comittee about adding RBs to the Sunday racing, they are very open to this, have recently added a WETA to the fleet.
Anyone one got any suggestions about where raceboards fit in amongst mixed class dinghys on windward leewards? ie: are they close to 29ers or lasers?
dbmgreen,
Beaut. I need a sparring partner. You can easily delude oneself in regard to performance when practicing by yourself. I'll be practicing hopefully every 2nd week through winter. Saltyheaven might join in on his D2 with 8.4m. There's 2 other serious (yes Bartonius I did say serious) raceboarders living in Avalon - they're rusted on Dobroyd Aquatic racing members, but would also join in occaisionally through winter.
The NSW Raceboard program last season had 8 regattas (approx every 3rd week) from September to March: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/201617-NSW-Raceboard-D2-Series?page=1
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/2016-17-NSW-Raceboard-Series-Final-Results?page=1#lastpost
In regard to mixed fleet racing, BYRA's marathon results http://www.byra.org.au/peterloft2017/racing-results/
give a bit of an indication. Would be good to have a comparison with 29rs also. The VYC yardsticks are well out of date - they were based on 7.5m sails and no upwind pumping (and maybe no downwind pumping?).
Select to expand quoteAyreForce1 said..
dbmgreen,
..........and no upwind pumping (and maybe no downwind pumping?).
I'm waaayy to old to pump :) Had a quick sail last Sat and Sun, might try and get out again this weekend as well. Not sure I could be bothered driving all the way to dobroyd? See how it goes
Contemplating 8.5m or 9.5m for perhaps a LionIs & return Sunday. Say 10:00 to 14:00.
Anyone keen to join in? Longboards or Formula.
Left SaltPanCove 12:15 with the 9.5m working into the gusty freshening NorWester in clear sunshine. Passed BarrenjoeyHd just on 1pm. Wind was on and off working to the Lion; tacked about half way to BoxHd and made it to the NorthWest cnr of the Lion in one tack.
Down wind was awkward in the lulls but nicely powered-up and charging deep in the gusts.
AUS-381 had launched from BarrenjoeyBeach, so we set out on another bash to the Lion. Arnie held the advantage in the freshening breeze; but I was able to climb past when the breeze eased back. Turned downwind after we had worked to northward of the eastern end of the Lion, and enjoyed the gusts back down to WestHd.
Criss-crossed gybing downwind part way towards LongnosePt. Worked back upwind towards SandPt before turning for the run home to SaltPan arriving around 15:45.
Just another awesome day on Pittwater!
Select to expand quotedbmgreen said..AyreForce1 said..
Beautiful afternoon sail on the Raceboard from 16:45 until sunset. Doesn't take much wind with the 9.5m to get it to rail-up and cut a reasonable line to windward. (perfect except for the mozzies while unrigging in the dark)
Hey, I'm a member of RPAYC (live in Belrose) and have just aquired an Equipe and 9.5 Race Sail. Happy to get out on the water with you. Winter is a bit of a no go cause of skiing every weekend, but come October, happy to get out on the water with you.
I could also talk to the comittee about adding RBs to the Sunday racing, they are very open to this, have recently added a WETA to the fleet.
Anyone one got any suggestions about where raceboards fit in amongst mixed class dinghys on windward leewards? ie: are they close to 29ers or lasers?
I know it's an old question, but the official YV yardstick seems roughly OK. I think the Open Raceboard is at 92 which is about the same as a 505. It's a bit harsh in 7-15 knots but not too bad, and probably too easy at the extremes if you are pumping. I assume from the age they would have been created using big rigs and no pumping but using Division 2 boards, and around the sort of dinghy course that the yardsticks are created for that would be a potent set of gear.
Bit of a fizzer. 1345 to 1545 8kt gusts but mostly less than 5kt. Bartonious Maximus & I think Lady Sarah were fleet racing on the big cat and scored reasonable wind early but I had to pump and rock and roll to drift home. Beautiful sunny arvo though - roasted in the wettie.
Forecast for Sunday 30 July looking magnifique for Pittwater and an RB cruise to the Lion. Unfortunately I'm committed elsewhere and not keen for a 2nd divorce. Raceboarders & D2's - PLEASE don't let it slip by unused - get out there and enjoy! I'll be with you in spirit.
This time 4 sure! Couldn't make it to DAC today but Sunday looks promising for a bash upwind to the Lion (and maybe even further). Have semi rigged the RB & 9.5 tonight in the hope of getting on the water around 9ish if the wind cooperates.
Depart SaltPan approx 10:45am; return approx 3:15pm
Sunday's clear sunny skies, the forecast 20 deg temp, and the nice straight lines of my approx. path would give the impression of a relatively comfortable sail. However the real path wavered up and down with the veering shifts and rapid wind strength changes. Some sloppy tacks resulted in 2 falls and a few gruelling uphauls on the way up to Barrenjoey Hd. I was at full stretch on the 9.5 towards WestHd and lifted by the WNW funnelling down the Hawksbury to half way to the Lion. The wind dropped to about 5kts and I dropped away with the outgoing current to the eastern end of the Island. The gusts returned in bullets making my attempt to work up and round the Lion to starboard more challenging than desired. After two back slams and gruelling uphauls at the very western tip of the Island - I chickened out and turned back for the fast track home. It was a very hairy and exhausting 'ride' with two forward face plants, and some very uncomfortable low pressure patches in sloppy waves. Stopped at SandPt for a half hour recovery & water stop with my sunsoking shore manager.
(Above) Direction & Speed recordings from Stokes Pt (5m above sea level)
(Below) Direction & Speed recordings from Observation Pt (27m above sea level)
Perfect arvo on Pittwater. Launched just after 14:00 into the fresh SSE. For a while the 9.5m was way too much - even for my soft winter weight. Duffed a couple of wobbly tacks, requiring one long drift pull-start, and another, finally with a successful water-start. Pleased to say nil falls - the gear is all intact, and the epoxy kit can stay in the box. Had some edge of control downwind speed runs and some nice on the edge, in the groove slices to windward. Returned to shore at 16:15. A good warm-up to shake off the cob webs for the start of the racing season. Stoked!
Sat 23 Sept 11:30 wind appears quite variable across Pittwater - not much wind at the moment but I'm thinking that it may build gradually to fulfil the Meteye indication of a peak about 4pm from the NNE at 20-25kn. Too strong for me on the 9.5 so I better get out much earlier than later so will start the rig-up now.
Good morning all,
I know there are a couple of Div II guys sailing out of Pittwater, so thought you might be interested to know that there will be a 2 day Div II regatta hosted by Gosford Sailing Club this coming weekend (30-Sep and 1-Oct - 2017).
All Div II boards accepted, at this stage only small numbers expected (4-8).
Rigs up to 9.5m allowed (but whatever you're comfortable with) - 3 sail sizes allowed for the weekend.
I'll post the notice of Race later today I hope, just waiting on confirmation from the Race Officer that it meets his requirements.
It's been a long time since there's been any Div II racing in Australia, so hopefully this is the start of more to come.
John.
Gosford Div II Regatta 30-Sep & 1-Oct 2017 NOR
Apologies for the late notice.
docs.google.com/document/d/1R1GINagY0GIHYielxhvbHqi9im8_yPilDuFZTWI4-2M/edit?usp=sharing
Team Gosford - I hope to make it up there to support your regatta - and perhaps chase you round on the RB. I'll chase up Jethro & Salty Heaven in the hope that they might also be interested.
Had a day off work today but my optometrist appointment at 1pm, and my lack of practice rigging the RSX 8.5, resulted in a late 5pm launch from SaltPan into the 10 to 20kn NNE. Back at the wharf right on 6pm. Apart from two backflops getting in out of the moored yachts - nil falls - so again the RB remains undamaged.
A very enjoyable sail - had it all to myself - not a single other sailing craft out there - just wish I could have had an extra 2 hours.
Select to expand quoteAyreForce1 said..
Team Gosford - I hope to make it up there to support your regatta - and perhaps chase you round on the RB. I'll chase up Jethro & Salty Heaven in the hope that they might also be interested.
Had a day off work today but my optometrist appointment at 1pm, and my lack of practice rigging the RSX 8.5, resulted in a late 5pm launch from SaltPan into the 10 to 20kn NNE. Back at the wharf right on 6pm. Apart from two backflops getting in out of the moored yachts - nil falls - so again the RB remains undamaged.
A very enjoyable sail - had it all to myself - not a single other sailing craft out there - just wish I could have had an extra 2 hours.
Looking forward to seeing you at Gosford mate. I'm trying to get an old Div II board back in action, so if you're brave enough you could compete with us on a Div II.
Will be launching at about 13:15 with the 9.5 on the RB. Wind South tending SSE, and stronger than I had expected - but I need to get used to being overpowered upwind with the 9.5 so that I have full planing power downwind
and perfect sunshine!
