Thursday, December 24, 2015

What's old is new again.

Harken, is well known for its sailboat hardware. My boat has 25 year old Harken "Roller Furling", blocks, and  tackle.

But did you know they produced a foil for Windsurfing over 30 years ago!




https://youtu.be/Zcjhu190U3A

I know I've been fascinated with foils for the last year or so. So it seems that they may become attainable for us in the good old U. S. of A.. The French company Hourue looks like they will produce a more user friendly model for wind surfers. They have manufactured and sold foils for Kite-boards after their joint venture with AHD in 2009.

It looks like they are going to give Windsurfers a try again in 2016. That, and the strengthening value of the Dollar relative to the Euro, means we may start to see them in use on our side of the pond.



https://youtu.be/OnLI-Z3AZ_Y


Looks like a great light wind alternative.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Enjoy your Holidays as we embark on the “Gloved Season”

Enjoy your Holidays as we embark on the “Gloved Season”


OK. I apologize for chiming into several threads at once. 
I haven't really had the time to read what’s been going on. 
So if I bore you to death…move on.

Impact vests: I use the DaKine non-Coast Guard approved floatation vest. It does not  provide the unconscious face up protection of a PFD. 
I can wear it with no interference, along with my “Low-Waist” harness. While it has no kevlar panels, it’s extra layer of neoprene provide, warmth, and rib protection. Because it has less flotation; I can still duck dive with it. [Helpful in waves, or when a boat is about to run you over at Joe’s.] I always keep my safety strobe light attached to the shoulder. But I admittedly, do not wear my helmet all the time. Helmet use is a whole other thread.


MULTI FIN BOARDS: I am a new player in the multi-fin game. In spite of their fantastic performance in the correct conditions , there are several ‘problems’ I have with them.

Let me start off by saying that I believe consistency in your windsurfing quiver is very important.
For close to two decades I rode the same sail design, [Ezzy Waves] in 10 percent size gaps, and the same boards [RRD FSW’s, 90 ltr, 108 ltr, & 120 ltr;  ;All with single, Power-box Fins]. This is why when I replaced my sales this year; I replaced every sail from 4.2 up to 6.7 with 2015 Severne  Blade wave sails.  I don’t sail every day. So I need to understand the sailing and jibing characteristics of one sail and board type. 

I was spoiled with the power box system as well. They are easy to change, no shimming, or figuring out the correct fin position. Plus, if you have to lock your boards; a thin rubber coated cable through the board does the trick.

Back to the boards; last winter I purchased a 100 ltr Quad. An RRD Wave CultI bought it as my new wave board. Specifically for Demo. Yes a Quad is slower; but that does not matter in waves. Plus, as Brook mentioned It is almost impossible to overpower. So while not ideal…I can actually sail it with a 4.2.[ No not by choice .]…And that extra volume gets me home if the wind dies.

My original plan was to replace the  RRD 108 ltr FSW with the 100 lt. Quad. But since it took me three sessions to dial in where all the fins should go. I am never taking them out.
I still sail the 108 with a weed fin at Joe’s in the Summer. Other brands may behave differently; but I don’t like my Quad in flat or choppy water. So I now have a 4; instead of 3 board quiver.

Once you do get the Quad set up correctly, it’s like cheating. In actual swell and waves…I have never had so much fun, or sailed a board more forgiving of my shortcomings as a windsurfer.

My problem with Quads….All the different fins needed. [Slot fins…”A” Box fins…shims…]  What a pain in the ass. And a very, un-versatile board.

I do own a 90 lt. FSW Tri-Fin; but I have not sailed it enough to form an opinion. [Intuitively, it seems like a more versatile option.]

Lastly…

If you said you wanted to by gear from me this season:
Please get in touch with me. I am trying to clean out my old gear. 
If you don’t want it anymore; just tell me.
If you do want to buy it; show up with cash. And no you don’t get to test ride it. 



Enjoy your Holidays as we embark on the “Gloved Season”

YEAR
WINDSURF Boards

FIN - BOX
Volume
Length
Width
Condition
sail size
$150.00
2008
Mistral Syncro
Carbon-Sandwich
Powerbox
90 Ltrs
243 CM
59 CM 
B- nose repair
4.5 - 6.2
$300.00
2003
F2 Powerglide
Epoxy, lots of float easy to control. not fast
Powerbox
160 ltrs
269 CM
80 CM
A- small cosmetic paint chip
5.0 - 9.0





















YEAR
SAIL

SIZE
need
LUFF LENGTH
BOOM LENGTH
Condition











$50.00
2010
Ezzy Free Ride
Spectra X-Ply. NO Monofilm
6.5

470
193
B-
No tears or repairs
$50.00
2008
sailworks Revo Wave

5.8



B-
No tears or repairs










$200.00
2013
Ezzy Wave Tiger
Spectra X-Ply. NO Monofilm
6.0

450 - 452
177 - 184
A-










$50.00

North Aluminum
Aluminum



140 - 190
B-
old  aluminum. Grip in great shape


MASTS




Length


$25.00

Fiberspar mast STD
Quick tip Reflex Carbon
460


460
B
at least 10 years old
$50.00

North STD 
Wave mast
400


400
A-
at least 10 years old










This  quiver 
will
become
available
if 
the 
original 
buyer
falls 
through

YEAR
SAIL

SIZE
need
LUFF LENGTH
BOOM LENGTH
Condition

$500 for the whole quiver!
2010
Ezzy Wave Panther
Spectra X-Ply. NO Monofilm
5.0
RDM
418 - 419
166 - 171
B
No tears or repairs
quiver!
2011
Ezzy Wave Panther 2
Spectra X-Ply. NO Monofilm
5.5
RDM
436 - 437
171 - 177
B
No tears or repairs
quiver!
2012
Ezzy Wave Tiger
Spectra X-Ply. NO Monofilm
6.3
RDM
456 - 458
184 - 191
B
No tears or repairs
quiver!
2010
Ezzy Wave Panther
Spectra X-Ply. NO Monofilm
6.9
RDM
485
186 - 193
B
No tears or repairs