What do I mean when I say I'm overpowered?
If I'm windsurfing on smaller gear in high winds, I probably mean that there's so much power in the sail that I can't manage it. I lack the skill to stop the universe from exploding when I'm sailing a 4.0 in 35 knots. Better men (and the Moreno twins) may be able to hold it down, but I can not.
If I'm on mid-sized or larger gear (anything from the promiscuous 5.5 on up) I don't say I'm overpowered until the sail's aerodynamics start to break down. You can feel and hear the thing cease to be a wing providing lift as it becomes a tortured and abused shape in a gale. A sudden increase in speed and power that, knot for knot, would scare me off of a given high-wind sail is, on bigger gear...exciting!
If gusts hitting the sail makes the rig feel like a punching bag, I'll opt for lots more downhaul to let the sail spill the bursts of power. If the challenge is keeping the board on the water, I'll swap in a smaller fin (or even a smaller board.) But if I'm afraid to bear off into a jibe or try a jump, it's usually time to rig down.
(I can't remember the last time I was overpowered. We're in a wind deee-rought on Long Island!)
Ahhh being overpowered...........I do remember the last time. We all had to sail on the little pond next to east landing on our 3.7's. We were still getting worked in the pond too. There were five or six of us sailing this little 200 ft square pond trying not to run each other over. Ahhhh being overpowered............
At least Friday is looking good. Crap I mentioned it and we're probably doomed to more no wind.
Posted by: mike burns | July 15, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Ack! Cough! Friday is NOT looking good!
Actually we've been so wind-starved that I think we're living in the jinx. Mayhaps we'll have a respite...I'll drive to Hecksher if that's what it takes, though I'd love to catch some Peconic joy...
Posted by: michael | July 15, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Well while I have been away they havae had had absolutely no wind this end and there doesnt seem to be any in site. Usually we get a good NW'ly in July so we are waiting. Where do you find these church notice board things from? Can you change the lettering on the computer??
Posted by: Bunty | July 15, 2008 at 11:20 AM
What do you mean, Bunty? These are all local windsurfing churches!
:)
(I'll send you the info.)
Posted by: michael | July 15, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Michael,
I'm actually just recovering from the 2 weeks of good wind we just had at Heckscher. we all sailed mon, tues, wed, thurs, then last tues, wed. Mostly 5.3, 3 days of 4.7 and one 4.2. Now I'm ready to go again and Friday and Saturday are looking like 20s. Can't wait to try out my 2009 Joker which is surely the cause of the wind drought for this week. Beware the weeds if you come to Heckscher. The weed islands were rolling in the last few days of SW. George Pav almost ran over Joe Nitalli when Joe hit a weed island and was catipulted.
See you at the beach!!
Posted by: mike burns | July 15, 2008 at 06:26 PM