New Drake slalom fin

I got the 38 cm drake slalom DW (downwind) delivered today. Feels pretty flexible - similar to the vector g10 fins.

Left to right: vector volt2 42cm, drake slalom DW 38 cm, vector Rockit 34 cm, tectonics goldwing 30 cm.

GoPro Video from First Session

I wore a GoPro during the first session and uploaded to YouTube. The session had about 10 mph wind at the start, then light 5 mph wind, then moderate 15+ mph wind near the end. I sailed the 3rd generation Severne Raceboard 9.5 on the Starboard Phantom 377, and Alex sailed a 9.5 Overdrive on his Phantom 380.

https://youtu.be/-DM7KSCTDYw

Some stills from the video:

First session was a success

First session of the year was good. Sailed 9.5 Raceboard 3rd gen on the phantom 377 and Alex sailed his R6 Overdrive 9.5 on his Phantom 380. Wind was 8-12 out of the south when we started but was forecast to shift. We ended with some good 15-18 mph out of the north working northeast.

2016 Severne Sails

Today I finally had some time to rig the new 2016 Severne Sails. Raceboard 9.5, Reflex R7 7.0 & 6.2, and Gator 5.7. The weather didn't cooperate enough to go sailing, but hopefully it will this weekend. The sails are ready. 

The 2016 Severne Raceboard is the 3rd generation of the Raceboard 9.5 sail. It got a bit longer for both the mast and the boom, so it's more triangular or less curve/roach. This results in a noticeably tighter perimeter for gen3, especially the top of the leech. 

The luff setting is now about 556 cm vs around 540 cm for gen2. These pictures are with the sail rigged on a 550 enigma mast. I want to try this first and then compare with rigging on a 530 enigma mast. Also, I need to use the sail a bit to wear it in before I can get the battens all the way dialed in. There are some wrinkles for now but those will get worked out.  

2016 Severne Raceboard 9.5, gen3

2016 Reflex R7 7.0

2016 Severne Gator 5.7

Whitecaps are back!

Lake Winnebago was mostly open yesterday, and the rain overnight and wind has gotten rid of the rest of the ice on the south end.

Fond du Lac weather on SNL

Fond du Lac got some attention in a Saturday Night Live skit this weekend. "Know what guys? You can't tell what the weather's gonna do."

New 2016 Severne Sails

I got a nice shipment from FedEx last night. I'm hoping to rig them this weekend... Too bad it will be in the snow.

9.5 Raceboard - new cut for 2016
7.0 Reflex R7
6.2 Reflex R7
5.7 Gator - this is the first Gator I've bought, so will be interesting to try it

FedEx shipment

Gator colorway

6.2 Reflex R7

A picture from seabreeeze of a rigged Reflex R7

Winter Sailing

It's been a while since I posted. The lake iced over and has snow now, so it's time for winter sailing. Check out the the upcoming Sturgeon Stampede on Lake Winnebago if you have a chance.

Here are some pictures from one of my first days out this season on a snowfer. I think this was January 22 - ice came late this year.

Mostly ice the first day out

Mostly icey

January 23 we got some snow cover on the ice, and another session on the snowfer.

Lots more snow cover this time out

Winter on Lake Winnebago - Aden on an ATV, Zinger on the snowfer, and Alex kiting

Later that day I made a trip to St Vinny's to pickup some sweet skis to use as I try to learn to kite.

K2 190 cm skis that I found at St Vinny's in Fond du Lac. They'll work well enough for me. $20 and even came with poles ;)

Here are some shots from another day (Jan 27) on the snowfer. The team at Windpower Windsurfing dragged the WAK Shack onto the ice, so I sailed to there and back. Lots of wind. 6.0 was a handful on the snowfer.

Ben launching in front of the WAK Shack

snowfer selfie

Jan 28 I also got out on the snowfer, and the wind was a bit more tame (10-15mph). I'm starting to get the hang of it. 6.0 was a good size today. I sailed over towards the WAK Shack, but then saw Ben sailing on the ice that is being kept plowed right off Roosevelt Park. He was on a Hiberna getting some slalom practice before Worlds in Estonia. Snowfer did good on ice now that I am better at edging it, but still tricky to turn at speed. I just slow down before snap jibing it.

Jan 30 I sailed out to the Wak Shack again on the snowfer but the wind was pretty light. So, I towed my brother in law, Zinger, around on a snowboard behind the ATV. Ben's brother in law was also on the lake, and turns out he is a quite good drone pilot. Check out the video he captured.

The wind got a little better later in the day, so Alex joined us to kite. He was gracious enough to let us use his 6m foil Ozonefor practice while he rode his 12m inflatable Naish.

Alex on his Naish 12m with skis

Me on the 6m Ozone and Goodwill skis

Me kiting with skis

Zinger on the 6m Ozone with snowboard