05/07 DC Charleston, 8.5m sail

[JimSouthwick]

Friday evening special: It was really starting to look as though there wasn't going to be a enough wind to justify a trip to the lake; until a little after 4, the peak gusts were about 10 mph. But over the next hour, it gradually picked up, and by 5, gusts in the high teens were starting to come through:

One kiter out at DCBB as well.

John Freed asked why I like to sail Charleston, and I listed several reasons, but I neglected to mention one of the most important ones: the kiters at DCBB serve as an early warning system for changes in wind strength. When you see kiters really working their kites or there are kites down on the water or the kites have all disappeared, you best be giving serious thought to getting back to shore while there's still enough wind to get you there.

[obzansky]

Perhaps 2 other possible advantages for DC Charleston: the water is usually flatter than DCIB (but this may or may not be an advantage) and in the event of a break down or injury, the trip to a beach is shorter. This is probably more important when sailing in cold conditions.

[John Dubock]

2 more reasons to sail Charleston...VIP parking guaranteed...and you can leave a mast in the grass and not have to bother taking it home...and its there for days/weeks afterward...just ask Jim