Provo Utah State Park 7-11 7.2 136

[Sarah Ranes]

A big thanks to Josh S for posting and getting me out sailing last night. I almost did not go, because I could not find a way onto the freeway from my house, and it was approaching 5pm. By the time I finallly made it to the freeway, I said what the heck, since i wanted to see where Rick and Josh were launching fromanyway. It was a very pleasant breezy when I arrived@5:30, and the first time I have tried sailing out of the boat marina area. 3 or 4 tacks had me close to the narrow looking gap to get out. The swell that was rolling in through the gap, made it a bit tricky for me to get out, but finally success, and open water. The only other time I have sailed here, I launched off the north side jetty, into some knarley concrete pieces and the oncoming wavelets. I think I like that better though, than the 20 minutes that it took be to get out tacking. Carl, Rick and Josh mades it look soooooo easy.

The wind stayed very steady, kind of like a big fan. I would say I planned about 80% of the time. Nice long reaches, through nice rollers, just trying to keep Carl in my sights. We sailed until sunset, and the sun was a bright orange ball over the mountains. I wasn't sure the best way to get back in the gap, so I followed Carl, and made a tight turn in, and back to the rental shack. It was a lot of fun, I should do that a little more often.

[Carl Christensen]

Thought about going to Saratoga thinking more sailors would be out, but chose Provo Boat Harbor since the sailing tends to be better there, especially with a northwest. Turned out to be very good slalom sailing with not one but 3 other sails on the horizon when I looked upwind after my first reach. One or more beginners were sailing in the bay for a fine showing by the wind powered crowd. Note to John Dubock: no traffic at 5:30. Straight shot.

Anyway, it was like sailing 7.5 Sulpha Crick except for the absolutely mind blowing smoothness of the wind. (Smooth wind? The kiters will tell you.) I stayed out until darkness was knocking and there wasn't much left of me, (not much to begin with actually), partly because it was so smooth and partly because Sarah was so impressive. Talk about endurance and making it happen. I kept hoping she'd make a run for the beach but the reaches just kept coming so I stayed out with her.

Rick and Josh must have been there earlier for the 4-6 pm sesh. Looks like it was pushing harder then. How good was it? Where did you launch?

As for PBH, Sarah's right, sailing upwind out the gap of the forebay is an educational exercise in quicktacking. The swell amplifies right at the mouth, especially in the middle, as it pinches through the jetties but 30 yards upwind it's quickly over bringing a sensation of accomplishment followed by the extra push that shapes your sail in the open water.

She's also not kidding, last night the wind switch was pretty much locked in the "on" position. It was my first day out of Provo Boat Harbor this year and what a difference from last. Fortuitous small changes have paid off big. Praise your choice of Lord. From the livelakeview images it hasn't been apparent what an impact clearing the 10' brush and weed line from the north and south jetties would make. The wind shadows are now greatly decreased making sailing out sooo much easier than it used to be. The grass rigging areas have improved too. I was in heaven. If we could just get a few of the fishermen to clean up their debris and rubbish once in a while. Note to kiters: the sandy beach is almost never used and may have been cleared enough to permit launching but that would have to be up to you to check.

Launching at PBH is full of options. I walk in one of the multiple paved boat ramps but the sandy beach is always a wide open option too, especially for beginners because there's no NOC activity to complicate things. By the way, there are two strategies for sailing out to open water: reaching in the forebay and then tacking out the gap; or launching off the small boat ramp in the river mouth south of the south jetty and sailing out the river itself. Both have benefited as a result of clearing the jetty brush. It's unlikely the park service could foresee how much it has helped our grateful sailing community. BTW, I'm impressed by those nimble enough to launch right off the rocks, too gnarly for me.

Regardless of how you get out sailing back in offers the same options but shooting the gap is probably preferable at the current high water level, very dignified. Last night I came in a bit hot on starboard planning to turn right in the throat and almost gybed up the transom of someone's slow moving AirMonster wakeboard boat; the bikini girls in the back looked more nervous than I was. Sarah, I usually sail in on port tack, just clearing the west jetty before bearing off into the marina's smooth water. You can probably cut within 6 feet of the jetty tip because the rip rap rock sinks very steeply into the water. The closer you get the easier it is to carry speed inside but I usually give it more leeway since things sometimes (usually?) don't work out exactly as diagrammed. 20 or 30 feet is likely more than enough. Once in the bay it's up to you to walk out on the sandy beach or one of the numerous boat ramps. On windy 100 liter board days shooting up the river actually works real well too. Lower lake levels make this the best option for everyone once it's waist deep or less. That usually cuts down on the fishermen too. Knee deep or below opens up endless perfect sand at the river mouth and the fishermen disappear entirely. At that point this is probably one of the friendliest launches I have ever sailed, not just in Utah, but anywhere. No burnt pallets either.

[Rick McClain]

Carl,
This was such an informative post that I quoted quite a bit of it on the Local Sites/UWA Places, Utah Lake State Park/Provo Boat Harbor marker on the map. Hope you don't mind. Those maps and markers are there for anyone to improve upon and I hope others will. Great information.
Thanks, Rick McClain

[Carl Christensen]

Oh yeah, that's great. I'd love to see more people feel comfortable at PBH because it is such a great place for rank beginners in the bay or full on sailing in the open water. Who would have thought?
ps do you know where Josh launched?

[Sarah Ranes]

Josh, launcehed next to the Rental Shack, (me too) Rick was there with him also (they carpooled together). They were out on mid 6's and 100 ltr boards. They were doing a bit of schlogging when I got there. I know that they were at least an hour ahead of me, getting on the water, and got some rides earlier. They were coming in when I was heading out, and gave me suggestions on tacking out of the boat harbor. They both got bigger boards, but still not enough power to enjoy the conditions. big ass gear rules again!

[Kevin Simmons]

I braved the concrete on the north end of the jetty and launced just inside the bay near the point so I only had to tack once to get out. I think it's easy navigating the concrete on the bay side in light wind.

So that was Josh and Rick out there slogging as I was flying by on my HS. I couldn't tell, I was going by them too fast (first for me).

Planed most of the time until about 5:30 when the wind back down a notced and Josh and Rick headed in. I decided to head in and thought about pulling out the 8.3 but decided to head home. Sure wish John D. had shown so I could've "borrowed" his Ezzy 7.5 again. My gear sure sucks compared to that. I feel like I'm on straight skis while the rest of the world is on shaped skis. Goal for this winter is to upgrade--I need a sail from this decade.

I waved to Sarah as she turned out of the jetty and began to rip it up as I was packing up. Seeing her rip almost made me unpack and rerig, but I scored big points with the wife when I got home for being early.

[RickHeninger]

Actually, some of the smoothest wind that I've ever had in Utah has been at the Provo Boat Harbor... Not only that, when it's really good from the north, the swell is amazing... I've even had a couple of good south days... When it's really filled in, that's where I go... The swell get's huge and clean because of the distance it has to travel.

Also, I've been launching fromt he rental shack because of the ease of rigging area. If I had bigger gear, i'd probably rig over where you do Carl. (by the river inlet)... Actually, when you are powered to overpowered getting out of the harbor is a two tack or even two jibe event! It's not quite as easy when it's directly northwest into the harbor and not very strong..

Getting up on a plane was a struggle for me this night because my gear was a lee bit too small... The 115L/6.2M was a on the small side. Still got in the straps a couple of times but it was short lived... This is when "fan-like" wind isn't the best... When your gear is a hair too small... You guys that were dialed in were lovin' it! Kevin, you need to slow down there pal! ... I actually had a great time tooling around out there in the wind that was just below planage speed because of it's consistency. Actually Josh and I came in a little early thinking it was going to die but if we'd have stayed out there for the hour of sunset and dusk I think we would've gotten a lot more planars because it picked up a notch... Still a fun sesh!

[Josh Shirley]

For my last 10 sessions I don't think I have posted. Not good.

Friday night was good. I am glad that Rick and I weren't the only ones that showed up. I was definitely a little too excited and rigged too small for the conditions but went for it anyway. I stayed out about 1.5 on my 6.3 ezzy and 100 liter JP. I was patient enough to tack out of the harbor and climbed over the north jetty into skipper's bay. I was able to get onto a plane about 50% of the time, but it required real effort on my part. I had to downwind on a swell and pump like mad to get up and going. Never enough speed or power to jibe, in fact I don't think I jibed once the whole evening. The swell in skippers bay was really clean, especially against the shore. There were many times I would be able to make three or four turns on one ramp, which really made the evening enjoyable. I then went in for some water and a bigger board. I was too lazy to rig my 8 oh so I put the bic nova one my 6.3 and ventured out again.

I made a point of tacking out of the marina for the practice. Once out on the open water all I needed to do was head downwind and pump to get on a plane. Not as quick or easy as Carl or Sarah, though. That big (165 liter) intermediate board works pretty well and can make some fast reaches. I used a big fin which helped going upwind.

Very consistent north winds. I am ready for some more.