Select to expand quoteHeavy1 said..
No I'm not going to try it . Would have to reinforce all the mast fuse joins , but what do you think would happen? 2 gears first and second. Select to expand quoteHeavy1 said..
No I'm not going to try it . Would have to reinforce all the mast fuse joins , but what do you think would happen? 2 gears first and second.
In 2nd gear you'd be incredibly high out of the water! That could be rather frightening!
Hi all,
IS THIS THE CORRECT PLACE TO POST??????
I just want to say thank you Heavy1 et al for taking me into the fold. Heavy1 even had the courtesy of lending me a board which matched my dress a few weeks ago. Very curteous. I'll be back for more (sailing that is).
Select to expand quoteVerotte said..
Will try a harness and some lines next time.
Once you master harness lines there'll be no stopping you!
WIND SPEED LESSON - by some of the eminent long standing members of the Gosford-Saratoga windsurfing club:
Rule of thumb for figuring out the wind speed (without looking at Seabreeze):
- 10knots = grey marks on water with no white caps.
- 12 knots Some white caps
- 15 knots = solid white caps but no real spray off the water.
- 20 plus knots = Some spray off bigger white caps .
- 30 plus knots = Spray flying along , not falling back
- and beyond: none is here to tell the story (just kidding)
Obviously there are other factors as such whether you are in the open ocean or closed waters, etc...
The above works well for Saratoga.
Couldn't decide which board to take on Sunday.... No worries, take everything. Problem solved!
I dropped by to see how our new recruits are going on Sunday and great to see the ladies (Sealegs & Verotte) our on the water joining V Lyndon and Peter. Such a pity I couldn't join your all for a sail.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
SEASONAL WEATHER PATTERNS ON THE NSW EAST COAST - GOSFORD AREA
For all of us newbies who want a rule of thumb guideline in terms of what kind of wind to expect at different times of year in Gosford, here is some info local legend AUS817 shared:
- Summer the prevailing wind is NE Sea breezes which usually build through the afternoon from about midday onwards. We also get regular Southerly changes once or twice a fortnight. They are pressure patterns so usually hit hard, then subside slightly and remain for 1-3 days.
- Winter is usually lighter winds, but again with Southerly changes similar to summer.
- Spring (August usually) we see the Westerlies, they are gusty (due to the mountain ranges west of the coast line) but are often strong. Can be fun but more often frustrating.
He didn't say anything about autumn.... maybe it falls somewhere in between summer and winter weather patterns.
The really cool thing about knowing this is that you can pick your launch spot based on the wind direction and if you sail upwind first, then you can get lazy, or more to the point, SAFE, and let the wind carry you back home.
So for instance, for a noreaster, start from Saratoga, sail towards Point Frederick, and the run back. You get the idea.
Repairing ripped windsurfing sails
Which tape to use and where to get it from?
It all depends on what material your sail is made from.
Drum roll... from least favorite option down to the very best:
TAPES 
1 - On the cloth side of mylar sails, most tapes won't stick to very well.
2 - For the monofilm (plastic) sails packing tape will work - you can use clear Goriila tape from Bunnings.
Note: Tapes don't work well in high load areas on your sail, they need stitching as well.
PROPER SAIL MATERIAL 
3 - The best material for all sails though is proper sail repair material. Whitworth marine might sell it (pricey!).
This material is what we also used to use for sail numbers when we used to cut them out ourselves.
4 - The very best thing to do is to try a sail maker like "Eastwind" (located at the corner of Couche Cresent and Brisbane Water Drive Koolewong - Gosford area)
Happy sail repairing!
(info courtesy of AUS817)
REPAIRING A TORN MONOFILM SAIL....
Here are SeaLegs's experiments with her sail which she tore in a gust yesterday.
This kind of repair works on MONOFILM type sails only....
She ended up using Gorilla tape.
0) Preparation: clean both sides of the sail/tear using WATER ONLY (no solvent)
1) Using strips of tape, make a T shape like so:
- stick a strip of tape at the beginning and the end of the tear
- stick a strip along the length of the tear
2) Using a cloth, rub out all the air bubbles (as best you can)
3) Cover the ends again
4) You may want to add another long strip depending on the severity of your tear
5) Repeat on the other side of the sail
6) DONE - go sailing!
SeaLegs, let us know how your repair job goes. 
Select to expand quoteVerotte said..
REPAIRING A TORN MONOFILM SAIL....
Here are SeaLegs's experiments with her sail which she tore in a gust yesterday.
This kind of repair works on MONOFILM type sails only....
She ended up using Gorilla tape.
0) Preparation: clean both sides of the sail/tear using WATER ONLY (no solvent)
1) Using strips of tape, make a T shape like so:
- stick a strip of tape at the beginning and the end of the tear
- stick a strip along the length of the tear
2) Using a cloth, rub out all the air bubbles (as best you can)
3) Cover the ends again
4) You may want to add another long strip depending on the severity of your tear
5) Repeat on the other side of the sail
6) DONE - go sailing!
SeaLegs, let us know how your repair job goes.
Apologies for using the word 'Experiment' SeaLegs.... It was a 'Sail Repair'.
I can't amend the original post so I hope you are OK rectifying it this way...
How to sail in mangrove shallow water without digging the fin in the water
CAVEAT:
ONLY WORKS WHEN SAILING DOWNWIND
WORKS EVEN BETTER IF THERE ARE NO ROCKS nor shells (just saying!)
I was under the impression it was impossible to sail in shallow water, especially when there is a lot of sea grasses and mud.
The fin gets stuck in there....
I thought I had to get off the board and walk my way through the mud and grasses (up to the knees sometimes) while dragging the board and rig. But it turns out there is a way...
AUS817 demonstrated it yesterday. Too bad I did not have a camera.
What you do is this:
1 - Bring up the daggerboard
2 - turn the board back to front (i.e sail with the back of the board in front)
3 - stand at the very back of the board (which is actually the front normally, since we've turned the board around) so that the front sticks out of the water and the fin doesn't dig into the mud
4 - keep sailing as close to the shore as you can
Nifty!!!!
Heat 5 of 6: NSW Spring into Summer Series- Saratoga Sailing Club Address: 10 Willaroo Rd, Saratoga NSW 2251, Australia Date: Sunday 28th Feb 2021. Briefing: 11:00am sharp. First Race: Approximately 12:00 pm. The plan is for 3 races, & a short break followed by another 2 races if conditions permit. The Saratoga Sailing Club Canteen will be open & providing free Post-Race sausage Sangas! Registration Link:theclubspot.com/register/regatta/tu1x2jaJ6G/class Event Details:theclubspot.com/regatta/tu1x2jaJ6G Please complete your Covid and Insurance disclaimer Link Below.Note: please complete asap. BEFORE FRIDAY 26TH FEB 2021 TO ALLOW US TIME TO BE FULLY PREPARED ON RACE DAY! THE EARLIER THE BETTER, if you fall ill after completing the form earlier, just notify us or complete form again if you can't attend. Covid and Disclaimer Form Link:forms.gle/xe2GxA7iKGpbc9ee6 Click on the link below for a zoom in and zoom out map to help with the location of Saratoga Sailing Club. www.google.com/maps/place/Saratoga+Sailing+Club/@-
33.4726828,151.3358599,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b72b4d7843689a3:0xf1890c36023f7cba!8m2!3d-33.4726828!4d151.3380486?hl=en-GBThanks for reading, see you at Saratoga hopefully, Cheers Pete, Scotty & AlFor further info, Please Contact - Peter Doolan: 0468 300 299 or Scotty O'Connor: 0420 292 065 Wednesday 17th February 2021
Oh gosh. Covid strikes again.
Tandem came out in response.
A Lot of fun.
Meeting again this Saturday, but contact me for details so we keep the numbers legal.
Saturday 3rd june
Sorry too inquire, does your sailing club follow Australian yachting guide lines ?
Hey Central Coast Windsurfing crew,
here's the proposed Windsurfer Class calendar for next season FYI. Toronto has a winter sailing day on Sunday 25th July
would be terrific to see a few of you venture up for an enjoyable day on Lake Mac at Toronto Amateur Sailing Club. Competitive racing or just for cruising around, your choice!
any boards and rigs welcome.
Would also be good to come down your way for an inter club meeting at Gosford or Saratoga.
cheers Al
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With a few early season nor Easter's, a few lingering August westerlies and the occasional southerly change we've had some great conditions for windsurfing of late.
Here's looking forward to a great summer season ahead. I'm looking forward to some club racing at Saratoga Sailing Club once the lockdown restrictions are eased.
With NSW lockdown restrictions now eased for those fully vaccinated, racing will commence at Saratoga Sailing Club next Sunday 24-Oct-2021.
Anyone interested in joining us feel free to come to the club and say hello. We'd love to see you. Unfortunately I can't be there to race this weekend as I'm working. But I might pop in briefly to say hello.
As per above post Id love to come to the club and say hello. Anyone out windsurfing today 9th Jan 2022? I am keen to get back into the sport not sure my 30 yo old gear will cut it. I have a daughter who is interested in trying it so we might come down and spectate the local talent.
Select to expand quoteglimmerstumpen said..
As per above post Id love to come to the club and say hello. Anyone out windsurfing today 9th Jan 2022? I am keen to get back into the sport not sure my 30 yo old gear will cut it. I have a daughter who is interested in trying it so we might come down and spectate the local talent.
Nice to meet you today. As discussed more that happy to help you get back into the sport. Drop me a text whenever you are available and if I'm not available I'll see if one of the group can help out. Unfortunately I'll be away for the next 2 weekends. But I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Saratoga sailing club Sunday 20th Feb.
We have quite a few young people coming to windsurf on beginner gear.
Tandem boards and an inflatable sail allow for the easiest entry to the sport.
Please bring water shoes, sun screen , and a good attitude. We supply the rest. Its free.
We need to know in advance if we have a group, so please contact john (AUS 817 or myself) but this Sunday its on, so extras are welcome.
930 to around 1pm finish for first timers.
After 1pm there is likely wind enough to try foiling, however we don't offer lessons, and foiling is somewhat risky. Bring a helmet and watershoes. We can talk to you about your options for getting on some gear.
Absolutely Pete. Last weekend I was sailing an old sailing boat hull with a uni glued to it.
True no joke!
Im yet to have anyone brave enough to sail it as it was intended, as a higher performance tandem, buy it sails ok one up.
In fact it sails much better one up than the other tandems do.
Is it a sailfish? Looks a bit narrow in the bow, but that's the closest boat I can think of...
