05 September 2020
Afternoon light wind surfing
Prediction was 12 to 16 knots, enough to cruise with big sails in the afternoon.
On arrival it was already quite busy, but there was still plenty of parking, so was not extremely busy.
Different sail sizes on the shore 7.0 to 9.2. If the wind would be as predicted, the 7.3 should be enough, but just to be sure I took the 8.3.
iSonic 117 with S-Type 8.3 and SL-X 43cm
Step on and was planing directly, wind direction perfect: WNW, so in the bay good wind, so planning out of the bay. 8.3 was the right choice. Certainly not too big, and certainly in the wind holes fine to plan easily. Fun racing back and forth with Boris and Hans. Hans was often just a little faster, Boris just a little slower. Especially if we had to get upwind, I couldn't keep up with Hans. Wind was not stable, turned just a bit and also varied a bit. Doubted to go get bigger fin, but then the wind kept coming back.
iSonic 117 with S-Type 8.3 and SL-P 46cm
During a short break switched the SL-X43 for the SL-P 46cm. I should have done that a lot earlier. Board ran so much more free on all courses, but not too big. Just easier to let the board run free. Wind decreased more and more, so it became more and more bobbing. With large sail sailing is apparently also very tiring. Time to call it a day.
It took some getting used to the big sail. But it's nice to have long runs with some surfing buddies.
Grevelingendam
Present: Hans (Hansie)12:45 | 2.5 hour | Wind: W/NW 11/16 kts |
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Board: | Starboard iSonic 117 - Sonntag SL-X 43cm | |
Sail: | North S-Type SL 8.3 - North Platinum(14) 490 - AL360 E3 Carbon 200-260 | |
In the harder gusts the set worked very well. If the wind was less strong, the set went downwind very well, but not upwind. Speed wasn't bad, but couldn't keep up with some others and the real top slalom guys not at all. I could plane early, was almost always the first to get planeing, pump a few times and I was away. First time with the AL360 200-260cm boom. fine, stiff, wide but not as extreme as the Severne. |
15:15 | 1 hour | Wind: W/NW 10/14 kts |
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Board: | Starboard iSonic 117 - Sonntag SL-P 46cm | |
Sail: | North S-Type SL 8.3 - North Platinum(14) 490 - AL360 E3 Carbon 200-260 | |
Set worked very well. With the SL-P 46cm, the set was clearly looser and easier to get upwind than with the SL-X 43cm. Fin was never too big. Only in the minimal wind in which I could only plane, but net get upwind. |