You Know It's Too Windy When You Have Whitecaps In The Hot Tub

Scene: A sunny, windy day in Cape Hatteras. You are there, with friends and all of your windsurfing equipment. What could be wrong?

The answer:  Too Much Wind.

We were on our smallest sails...Jeff on a 3.5, Mike on a 3.7 Ted with a 3.7 and me on a 3.4. We were all overpowered. And this was in the morning when the wind was lighter. The routine was to sail for twenty minutes, get out for an hour and talk about how difficult the windsurfing was, then go out and sail some more.

By 3PM, a 3.0 would have been too big. The shops in Hatteras don't carry anything smaller than a 3.4.*    It was the strongest sustained wind I've ever sailed in.

Later, in the hot tub, Ted, Mike, Jeff and your editor discussed the day over hot water and beer.   When whitecaps began to appear in the hot tub, we knew it was REALLY windy.

* CORRECTION: Olaf from the Avon Sail Shop has informed the Puffin that they stock Simmer sails down to 2.7. One more reason to check out Margaret and Olaf's excellent repair and gear shop! (Photo: Windsurfers tear it up on the Pamlico with tiny sails in 40 knot gusts.

Comments

[bonnie]

YOWZA.

[olaf]

I guess you didn't do a complete shop tour. The Avon Sail House has Simmer Sails down to 2.7m2. These are real adult sails that will allow you to enjoy the high winds. Welcome down to wind fest.

[Michael]

I have corrected the post, Olaf! I actually was in your shop yesterday when you returned from the lighthouse, but I wasn't in the market for a sail at that moment. Someone from "another shop" told me there was nothing smaller available. Now I know better!

[Jeff]

I'll have to upload a before and after shot of the excellent repair that Olaf did this week on my 4.2 Maui Sails Global (busted the clew grommet) -- Avon Sail House is highly recommended!

[Chiaying]

Whitecaps in the hot tub?! I am surprised that you guys didn't rig & sail right then and there! J/K. beers, hot tub and "too much" wind -- nice!!