Okay not a BEAST exactly, but after previous joy in ENE we came with high expectations. The thing is straight east gets bumpy out there...bumpy and deep as the bays fill up. Still we sailed 4.7...Artie, the Wolf, Scott, Pav and David.
"What a difference between ENE and East," Scott commented. We'd had an excellent session at South Jamesport back in August during an ENE blow, and had hoped for the same yesterday. But t'was not the same. The normally smooth SJ was quite bumpy...disorganized chop with only the occasional jumping ramp, and modest swell. Tiana might make for more enjoyable sailing the next time its East and we're not in the ocean.
Around 3PM as we started to tire the wind increased to something like 4.2. We each began to call it a day when David decided to take one more run. While adjusting his outhaul we spotted a major crack in his uni. A "there's no frickin' way you're going out on 40 degree water in 30mph gusts with that uni" crack. We are grateful for discovering this on the beach and not after a rescue operation!
(Photo of le craque courtesy David.)
Everything is more brittle in the cold. Including us.
Posted by: Frank Messina | January 26, 2020 at 04:00 PM
Thank you Michael, with your hawk eye observational skills during equipment check. Potential hypothermia averted. Auspicious way to start the Year of the Rat. David
Posted by: david ling | January 26, 2020 at 04:01 PM
Frank: Yes, but how great is it to get winter sessions locally! I'll be double checking all my gear before my next session...I think I'm on it but did I check that the fin screw was solid? Did I double check the uni (actually I did that). How is the inhaul line on my boom? Must check, must check.
David: Were we not discussing the downhaul you were adding I'd have missed it. I count us lucky and schooled!
Posted by: Michael Alex | January 26, 2020 at 05:21 PM