Feedback - Sunday sailing at Takapuna, 03 April 2011

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Well daylight saving ended on Sunday, and a feeling of summer coming to an end, a chill in the morning air, and human nature calling us to park up the boat and sip hot latté’s inside café’s, or drift through shopping malls…………..

Not for some of us!

To be honest I woke up and looked at the beach, dead flat glass to the horizon, the last thing I wanted to do was drive to Takapuna set up boat just to drift in the tide all day. but I said I would go so I did.

Boy am I glad I did! We set up on the reserve at 11am, Alan from mad loop was there with his radical looking set up, flat top boom less main, furling jib and carbon mast!! Great to finally put a face to the legend who’s working hard every weekend putting people into hobie’s!!

Fee turned up with Sue, then Steve.

As we set up the breeze filled in, a nice 8kn north easterly as we hit the water.  Before we started it rose to 10, and with a blast of the gun we were off!!

After the low wind sailing we have been experiencing it was like re-learning for the first leg!! Fee seemed concerned the mast was dirty, so decided to capsize and give it a wee clean LOL J then joined us for the second leg.

Man that rig on Alan’s boat makes it point well!! Sort of looks like a tornado hobie cross!

Steve had a good idea to swap crew with Fee, Zane hit the beach for some covert tuning adjustments and we launched into another race. With the wind rising to 12 we took off up wind, 2 up fully extended on the wire, punching through a waist high chop with spray blasting across the tramp and the odd wave giving the crew a crisp wake up! Fee wasn’t satisfied with the cleaning job so tipped her boat over for another go! Hey its great to get some capsizing practice in when you can J. The down wind legs got better and better with the wind up to 15knots and really constant, we started surfing down waves toward the bottom mark, with the odd burst as the boats came into there own. The race committee sure looked entertained!

After the race Zane took off on a speed run reaching across the channel travelers out, sheeted block to block, clenched teeth and holding on!! Managed to bury the boat up to the mast at speed and still hold on!......................just J

All in all classic taka north easterly magic sailing conditions!!

Back on the beach, we looked like school kids on prom night, grins from ear to ear, and that glint in the eye only a Hobie sailor knows.

I don’t know what the rest of you did, but I bet it wasn’t half the fun………

Have a great week, and come sailing next week!!!! More boats = more fun!

Anyone keen on a Manly sail this Sunday?

Regards, Zane



CONTACT:
Andrew Springford
Email: andrew.springford@cdb.co.nz
Phone: 09 917 4002