Session Report: July 24, 2006 Michigan Roadtrip
Reid and I went to Oval Beach in Saugatuck, MI in search of wind and waves. I sailed the Kombat 105 with a 5.7 the entire session. I had to flatten the sail out when the winds picked up around 1:00pm. Later on, I went out with the sail still flat and drfited downwind cause I couldn’t get planing on the way back in. I had to swim my gear into the unguarded swim area and walk back up the beach to where I started. If I had only let off the downhaul and outhaul before going out, I could have made it back a lot easier. Below are some pictures that Reid took in the morning during my first ride out.
Session Report: July 8-9, 2006 Michigan Roadtrip
This weekend was excellent!
Saturday at Little Sable point I sailed the Kombat with my 7.5 slalom race sail. I got in quite a few jumps. One jump I nailed just right with the sail pulled over me and board tucked underneath. I felt like I was flying.
The effect of the hot sand dune was very noticeable with the wind near the shore. As I sailed nearer the beach, I continued to accelerate and pinch upwind. Any ground lost while going out was easily recovered on the way back in. Of course, I did have my share of walking my gear back upwind on the beach. I’ve got to get a nice big pointy fin for using with the 7.5. The only fin I have that doesn’t spin out with it is a weed fin and I can’t point very well with it. Time to spend more $$.
At the end of the day, just before packing up, I realized my 7.5 wasn’t set up right. The top 2 battens were loose. I made chages to downhaul and outhaul all day because the sail didn’t seem to hold any power. After adjusting all the battens, the sail had a much nicer shape.
Sunday at Oval Beach was even better than the previous day. The wave action at Oval was perfect. On the way out, you could take your pick on which ramp to hit. I got slammed a couple times by waves that broke just as I entered them. I rode most of the day with the Kombat with 7.5 and then switched to the Nova to see how it handled in the waves. It was much more difficult to sail the Nova than the Kombat. The first few runs were mostly a test of remaining in control. The Nova wanted to stick to the waves, which resulted in quite a rough ride. Once I got comfortable, I attempted to jump it. It takes a little more effort to get the Nova off the water, but once in the air, it gives you lift.
I wish we could have taken more pictures and video, but blowing sand doesn’t mix well with high priced cameras. One grain of sand in the camera can kill it. I’m getting a weatherproof enclosure so I can use the camera next time.
I can’t wait until the next roadtrip.
