The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

Friday's Looking Good

Let's get this party started right!

Thus spake NOAA:  Friday NW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. 

Out east NW means Meschutt.   WNW means Sebonac.  20 means I'm on it!

 

There's a Great White Shark in the Long Island Sound

Fish.

There was and is something cool about watermen and waterwomen referring to sharks as "Fish".   The landlord, the man in the grey suit, Fish.

Yeah well...

OSEARCH (the talent agency that represents Mary Lee and a bunch of other Fish) says they've tracked a great white into the Long Island Sound, and this is apparently a first CBS News reports.   Surely they've made the rounds for years (centuries) but still we shall Take Note.  A ten footer is hanging locally.

Enjoy!

My First Sesh at Hart Cove

One of the things I admire about Scott, the Wolf, and the crowd of windsurfers who live in the Moriches area is how they will travel to get to the best possible conditions even though there is sailable water in their backyard...I am closer to the east end and North Fork launches than they are, but I'd never have discovered them if I didn't sail with those guys.    But on rare occasions they DO in fact sail at home, and yesterday I made the trek to shred their local waters at Hart Cove.

Artie (also a Hart Cove newbie) and I joined Scott and the Wolf at the end of Moriches Island Road, rigged 4.2's and took off.   There are three stretches...the first third is shallowish...I'd call it Mecox level (light) chop water.  Then comes the channel, where the wind jumps half a sail size.  HOLD ON!!   On the far side are super flat shallows (likely too shallow at low tide) ideal for hero jibes and conversation.

"I hit the best jibe of my life but there was nobody there to see it" Artie said.  I believe him.

It was super windy.  "Ludicrous" Scott declared.  We was lit, focusing on that next half second to avoid exploding.  Hart Cove is good for crazy winds!

Warm water, too.  Yesterday was bizarre for May...we were in drysuits for the 40-something degree air, while the water was a warmish 54.   I spent the day following others, as I didn't know where I was going ("That way" I was often advised) and the rain hampered visibility.  I worked it out to sail until I saw the buoy, then sail near the buoy and keep going.  In either direction.   And lived to tell the tale!  

Good times and a new launch on a windy Sunday.

Warp Speed on Tiana Bay

The water was fast.  Ef Ay Es Tea fast.

The wind was blowing 20-something from the east, and the usual crowd was out looking for an ocean launch to take advantage of it.   Me I had plans with my old sailing buddy Massimo, and we were looking for a Bay experience.   Tiana was pool table flat...it was full on 5.4 with no whitecaps!   We shared the bay with a couple sailors for half an hour when it was time to rig down (4.7) and a bunch of the wave chimps showed!  Scott Artie the Wolf the Joe Natalies rigged up, and we had a blast on the 4.7-4.2 jibatorium.    Scott later declared that he'd been a speed demon.  Anyone who has seen Scott sail in fifth gear (by which I mean anyone who has been passed by Scott in fifth gear) knows that if HE says he was going fast, it was nuts.  Warp speed!

We sail bump so often (and waves when we can) that perhaps we forget how great flatwater blasting can me on four meter sails.  Woo Ha!

It's About Time For A Swap Meet

You know it is.  You KNOW it is!   Swap meet time, me droogs...Hampton Watersports is throwing the Spring Fling on Saturday May 18th.   Windsurfing swap meet, kiteboarding swap meet, SUP swap meet, surfing swap meet, and are you ready:  foiling swap meet.  

If you're selling used equipment, drop off your gear during the week preceding (or arrive early that Saturday morning).   If you're buying, bring your money.   If you're swapping bring both (it's what I do.) 

If you're looking for sails, it's helpful if you know what size masts you own, and what the minimum and maximum extension lengths of your boom is, to make sure you can rig what you buy.   If you need help evaluating the used offerings or what you need, there will be people there to help.  I will be one of them (apologies in advance!)

Rain or shine, buy or sell used standup paddleboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding surfing and anything you can slap a foil on gear. There will also be new 2019 equipment to covet and buy.  Specials on leftover 2018 equipment.    If you have questions, call the shop 631-283-9463.  See you there!