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So with much to do and not much time for sailing, I faded on my desire to get to Geneva and late in the afternoon went to Long Point State Park. I’ve sailed there before, it’s really pretty darned good on a SE to S, and not awful on a SW (but swirlier). Haven’t sailed there in storm conditions before, though.
Arrived at 5:30, not a soul in the park but me and the young lady at the entry booth. The lake was going off big time. Wind meter at the water’s edge (a mini-point) was 25-30. I rigged a 4.2 and took it out to the end of the point, because I really didn’t know how well the wind at the point would match the wind out in the lake. Couldn’t fully sheet in the 4.2. Next step down for me is a 3.5 Fire, it’s for storms, but it needs oomph. The other problem was that, being late, I didn’t bring a small board (in at home in Ithaca it was about 10-15…though I didn’t look to see what the airport was doing). A wind meter called Cayuga Dock on iWindsurf was showing 23. So I would be riding the 117 Aero, with a either a 4.2 or 3.5. I have a wave fin I thought would match up OK, so rigged it all up and set out. I decided that of overpowered or underpowered, all by myself with nobody for help in a storm, I’d rather err on the side of underpowered. Limping in is better than not being able to control the rig and get going. So 3.5 it was.
Problem is that – here’s the local knowledge, now that I’ve learned it – the wind is focused near to shore and at the point, and it drops off a bit once you’re on the water. Alas. I did manage to get her pumped up a number of times, mostly out of the straps or only one foot in, but some with both feet in the straps. The 117 balanced up better than I thought it would and the terrain wasn’t very notable once you’ve experienced Seneca, Erie or the Big O. Probably 1 foot swells.
All in all, I would rate Long Point as a pretty good destination for most anything south, best on SE to S (and on a N). Friendly pea gravel beach, facilities, waist deep launch zone, picnic tables, etc. I’d advise rigging sail that you have trouble sheeting in when you’re on the beach at the end of the point, as I think it’ll be about right once you’re out there. An unusual spot where, at least on a couple of occasions (a 7.5 day earlier this summer as well) I find it lighter on the water than on shore.
Was hoping for more than a “learning experience”, but I guess next time I’ll know what to do.
GEM
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