FINALLY got back to the water today! Water temp was low-50's, so every bit of spray that came aboard was cold.

Very windy and choppy and the damn power boats didn't help any, but I sailed today, dammit! I sailed!

Dang, you beat me to it! Sounds like fun.

It was, to a point. I was at Hammocks Beach State park and tried to sail out between the islands to reach Bear Island, the outer one. There are paddling trails, etc. to that island. There's also the ICW that has to be crossed. I tried sailing between the islands to avoid the ICW for any stretch, and only have to cross it instead of sailing IN it. Well, that didn't work because I kept grinding my boards in the shoals, which are inconveniently made up of oyster beds. I eventually gave up, but I did get a couple hours sail, and soaked. Oh--the water's really cold still....

Hi Ed and all,

Ticked that Ed beat me to first sail of the year ;), I finally got on the water today. Air temp was about 45 and water a little higher. Winds were gusty going from calm to 20mph or so. I could see the gusts coming across the lake and knew when to hike out. Did the best hiking out so far, totally perpendicular to the center of the boat. The highlight was capsizing for the first time in an incredible gust. Thanks to polypro, wool,goretex, and a good knife, everything worked out well. Let's just say the "shrinkage factor" was painful.

Be prepared!

A good knife? Shrinkage?

Ed... wrote:

QUOTE:
A good knife? Shrinkage?

I see you are not a Seinfeld (TV comedy program) fan.

About the knife. After capsizing I was blown towards "shore", that being a near vertical, crumbly, rocky cliff. As luck would have it the cliff was covered in giant thornbushes, which wanted to eat my sail, and had to be dipatched with the knife. Also used the knife to make a bailer out of a plastic bottle.

After about 45 minutes of this fun, my hands and feet were numb, despite wearing scuba gloves, wool socks and scuba boots. My body core was OK and I did not even shiver, though it was very uncomfortable to say the least.

Next time I'll wear the shorty wetsuit, and not leave it in the car, doh! That and or use the homemade outriggers till it warms up some.

Here is a clip of a guy really cooking in his Aquamuse 141.

THIS IS NOT ME, I wish I was going this fast!!

COOKING on an Aquamuse 141