I love sailing at Ponquogue. I wish we sailed there all the time. The gang likes to restrict Ponquogue to E, ESE, SE, and ENE winds (though we once had a fine time on WSW...more of that please!) I'd like to try some onshore sailing there, but must see if I can find anyone crazy enough to try it with me (calling Peconic Jeff...calling Peconic Jeff...)
Saturday the wind was a fine direction...15-20 from east northeast...except that it rarely got above 15. Mr. VanderWolf brought all his toys, and was ready to SUP paddle, SUP sail, or (as he ended up doing) rig up a 6.2 and his largest short board. I too rigged a 6.2 on my big JP freestyle board, and while we were only planing half the time there was still much fun to be had jumping outbound and playing with the few available waves (3-4 footers) that kept things interesting.
Even shlogging half the time I was happy. I'd rather run a big rig at Ponquogue than rip 4.0 at South Jamesport. Call me ridiculous (everyone else does) but it's true. In fact one of my all-time favorite sessions at Ponquogue had me sailing a 7.0 in shoulder-high swell. It was great until my mast broke...I've since replaced it with an oceanworthy RDM.
Someone who needs to get with the bigger sail program is Peconic Jeff. P-Jeff rocks a 5.9 when things get light, but between me, him, and the Wolf, Jeff has the greatest...um...displacement*...so he of all people needs that larger rig if he's going to take advantage of Ponquogue's light wind offerings. And he must!
Such is my Ponquogue dogma**.
*Jeff is fit as a fiddle. Maybe it's not a matter of displacement but of density?
** The title of this post is inspired by the kayaking blog Frogma, which it was recently revealed is named for some mad debate about paddling arcana, hence amphibious dogma, ergo Frogma.
I'm honored!
And btw that was one of my favorite comment sections ever. Glad you made me do that post!
Posted by: bonnie | March 30, 2009 at 12:26 PM
My best run that day was on the SUP with my 5.9. That baby popped right through the white water, jibed easily, and turned nicely on some of those baby waves. Next time I'll try it again, and engage the windward rail much more heavily to stay upwind. I'm sticking with the 5.9 for now, and will work on some density reduction (actually lost 5 lbs after this weekend) in the meantime.
BTW, I thought the bigger story of the day was this being your first session on the ocean in nearly 90 days!
Posted by: Peconic Jeff | March 31, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Good point about the 90ish days, Jeff! That would explain why I was the first person in the water (which never happens at ocean sessions)...couldn't wait!
I'm hoping the forecast for tomorrow builds...a nice SE session at the Bowl would be palliative.
Meanwhile I think you're crazy not to get a bigger sail.
Posted by: the editor | March 31, 2009 at 02:57 PM