Utah Windriders Association

An excellent turnout for a long afternoon of typically gusty (but enjoyable) DC conditions. A partial list of participants (in no particular order) included John D, DC original Tim Snyder, Carl, Layne, Jim Hornbeck, Mike Hill, Paul & Angie, Roberto, Stuart and Gunnars (did I spell that right?). Sail sizes ranged from Carl's 12.5 to my 6.6, boards from Carl's Formula to near sinkers.

http://homepage.mac.com/jsouthwick/PhotoAlbum83.html

The 12.5 was not necessary, 3-4 meters smaller would have been great, but I felt compelled to pull the trigger. All in all the big dog is an awesome sail. It's the right call about 90% of the time for me, probably not yesterday though. Nothing broke and I'm none the worse for wear but slalom gear should have been more than enough.

There was too much puff filling my rig to ever really crack the throttle more than a little. Admittedly it wasn't optimally tuned. The thought of falling was motivating and kept me upright all by itself, upright as in, holy crap, the alternatives are unacceptable. It took a bit of effort to hold things down, stay on the water, and keep from rounding straight up for the dam, never to be seen again. My downwind runs were not things of beauty. For me it was like sending your linebackers and your safety: live by the blitz, die by the blitz.

The wind range was a bit wider than usual but that's something I have to adjust for. Later in the season it'll be a lot more comfortable. Plus I'm going to repair the 11.7, which, at just under 12m, should give much more flexibility.

Carl Christensen wrote:The 12.5 was not necessary..
The wind range was a bit wider than usual but that's something I have to adjust for. Later in the season it'll be a lot more comfortable. Plus I'm going to repair the 11.7, which, at just under 12m, should give much more flexibility.

You guys are talking about Hobby cats right?