Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
-
Answer to the Polestar question, which I’d overlooked…
Drove it at an Audi event at the Glen, with instructor. Learned a lot in a couple of days. Went from feeling like I was the LOL in the center of the freeway 30 MPH slower (more) than the rest of the traffic, to passing most of the cars in my novice group.
The instructor thought the Polestar was a great track car, the Brembo brakes having enough stuff (I ran on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S’s)…though Volvo’s stock rear brakes couldn’t handle it and the rotors need to be replaced (living with it over the winter and will replace in spring).
There’s a lot to fill your mind driving on the track, and one of the skills is just learning to think fast enough and tick through all the things you need to monitor (which is why there is an instructor in passenger’s seat!). One of the cool things is learning “accelerator steering”, or guiding the trajectory of the turn with the accelerator rather than the steering wheel. All in all, it’s too much to post here, but I figure most readers will be interested in top speeds: at the end of the back stretch entering into the chicane I got to 124, but far more “invigorating” is entering a downhill, banked away from the turn in the 90º turn 1, which I managed to hit at the end of the straight going 110-112 on the second day. Needless to say, there’s VERY hard braking going on, and the trick to top speeds on the straights is learning to go fast as you can and run over the curbs on the turns. It’s quite a hoot…
-
Hi Jordan,
Was at a conference in Harrisburg the last 3 days. Figures,…a S wind and I can’t bet there.
I would say it depends on your skill level and what you’re looking for. Canandaigua will be flatter water, a good ways out (50-100 yds) it’s not deep so helpful if you’re working on moves and likely to fall a lot. Seneca will be more of a terrain park, how big depends on how hard it blows and for how long. Nice wave faces on the inside and some on the outside.
Most of the RWS gang likes to launch at the town dock, on the NW corner of the lake. Advantage is that there are that the wind tends to funnel along the W side of the lake, especially if their is any E in the wind, so there’s power (though some wave action) at the launch site. Also, most of the gang launches there. Disadvantage is that, particularly on a SSE, is that you’re DEEP downwind, as deep as you can get, and you have to beat out against the waves and in that area the wind lifts a little off the water (because it lifts over land), and the power can be a bit flukey deep on the inside. No shortage of tales of windsurfers getting “stuck” inside in breaking waves and not enough power to beat their way out. Kiters fare better, as the kites are high enough that the wind lift doesn’t affect them.
Alternative is on the NE shore, in the State Park, over by the marina. Some of us (me included) like it over there for amenities and space reasons. A much better site on rarer times when the wind goes SSW, but most of the time with a due S or SSE, it’s necessary to schlog a decent way out to the wind line (100-300 yards). The more E in the wind, the longer the schlog.
There are other sites further S, but if you’re coming from Rochester there’s no reason to go there until you’re just wanting to check the spot off of your bucket list.
-
I can’t recall exactly right now, but the quad fins that came with the board are like 7s on the sides and 10s in the center. Way too small for a 180 lb guy. I have bigger ones now, but haven’t had the opportunity to try them.
I get the riding technique, learned that 20 years ago now in Andy Brandt freestyle clinics in Bonaire. That makes up a little for tiny fins, but I see the aerial shots of the studs in Maui, on smaller sails, and my OEM fins look a LOT smaller than theirs.
Truth is, based on 30 years of buying boards, that the manufacturers incentive is to sell a “complete” board but spend as little as possible on fins, so they’re typically the smallest fins you would ever want. I actually like Star-Board’s approach with their race boards, which is “bare board” with no fin at all (or at least that’s how my iSonic came) since they know you’re going to buy some aftermarket fin(s) and <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>never</span> going to use what they give you.
-
Interesting. This is pretty much what I’d figured and deduced. Pretty much extension of what I’d have said from my single-fin experience. Didn’t really get to wave riding, but I expect the trade-off is “turniness / slashiness” -vs- ability to get vertical on the wave face with sufficient speed to get good off-the-lips and spraying top turns.
Though I myself am wary about getting my foot deep into a front footstrap. Having fractured 3 metatarsals and knowing the potential sports medicine consequences, I think I’d rather be less well connected to the board. Especially at 65, when the recuperation time is a lot longer. You’ll understand someday. Doesn’t help that I have size 12 feet.
Curious about the size of your fins…and that requires calibration to the size of you (and sail size)!
Another thing I (think) I find is that getting onto a plane is different than any other board I’ve ridden (presumably due to the rocker…which you point out). In VERY limited experience (after trying LOTS of other methods), I found that sitting down on the harness, maybe leaning back a little (i.e., reducing back foot pressure), which (as a deduction) results in forward front foot pressure, making the board seem to scoot out from under the rider, forward, and onto a plane. One thing I can say is that pumping, in any other form I tried, does NOT work!
Thanks for the input! And all summer I’ve been jealous about the wind on Erie. Hasn’t been great, but compared to Ithaca you have a wind tunnel at your disposal! It has absolutely SUCKED here. Worst season in my recollection (going back almost 30 years).
GEM
-
Hi Mark,
Good to hear from you, I hope the first day of autumn ushers in some good wind. It certainly has been light lately!
Wasn’t thinking of you as a potential buyer, but where you live this would be a good board for Ontario. Seneca too, Canandaigua probably OK but not so ideal.
BTW, I have some tales to tell about the Polestar at Watkins Glen. The car is a hoot on the track!
Good winds,
GEM
-
Thanks for the plug!
Indeed, everything is in very good shape. Probably the 8.0 is the most worn, but it has years of useful life left. And it’s key because it really sets up well on this board.
I’ve ridden this board with a 5.8, where it is still quite comfy. Much below 5.5 and it’s a bit bumpy for the Aero.
At 71 cm of width, it’s very forgiving in the jibes but it carves a pretty tight turn because of the tucked rails.
Am including the fins because Star-Board made the Aero with a Tuttle box, and whatever the box there are very few wave fins big enough for this board. The bag because you won’t find a board bag this short and wide.
-
I got out last Saturday at Aurora (Long Point SP) and had a good 5.5 day. Looks like Sunday was good at Geneva, but alas I had to help my folks with fall yard chores (87 and 93, so I’m needed for any muscle chores).
Hoping for something good this weekend, but today is really rainy. Maybe tomorrow (10/17), but the wind direction mainly favors the Big O…not sure how much I want to do a 2-hour one-way commute. Mon and Tues look better for the Finger Lakes…so I’m trying to get work done on the weekend.
What are the Rochester-based sailors thinking about tomorrow?
-
That’s a bad direction around here.
N end of Seneca is doable but not great once it’s beyond SSW, same for Cayuga. Haven’t sailed there, but I think Long Pond in Rochester aligns with a SW. Only other option is Southwick Beach, a 2 hr drive from Ithaca.
One might think Oneida at Sylvan Beach, but Oneida is unfailingly light when it’s SW.
The Ithaca area has no good options for anything from SW to WNW.
Sorry!
-
Myers Point, Lansing
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KNYLANSI4/graph/2021-09-3/2021-09-3/daily
When there is wind from the NW, just go and you’ll meet someone.
GEM
-
I have, over the years, discussed most if not all the spots FrankieBob put in his post. Allow me to focus in on what I regard as salient points, especially for those new to the sport. Be aware that Frank goes back to, like, the beginning. He learned to sail on stuff deemed too difficult to use today; was a high-wind sailor in the heyday (those musculoskeletal constraints were earned and, contrary to the best line in “Heart and Soul”, pain is not always temporary). Adrenaline junky kind of windsurfing. So…dialing it back a little, here are my thoughts on these spots in SE and E Ontario.
Also, allow me to put in my 2c about being cheap. Get yourself an Empire Pass, so you can go in any state park all year long. It’s the best $63 gym membership you can buy. Period. With all you’re putting into windsurfing, the Empire Pass is a drop in the bucket. Many to most of the best sites are state parks.
I wouldn’t recommend most of these sites for beginners (will indicate which ones).
Fair Haven SP
Some don’t want to pay the park fee and so launch west of the inlet. Bad idea for non-experts – not a simple launch and you’re boxed-in by the breakwall. Go in the park, launch to the east of the swimming area near the picnic sites. And, being in the state park, if trouble befalls you, there are rangers to help rescue you. Good spot for light-wind sail surfing with an SUP. Best on a NW to WNW, also decent on NE.
Mexico Boat Launch
Not for beginners. BIG climb over SUV-sized rip-rap with an abrupt drop into the water. No place to bail out if you get washed downwind, so a most unpleasant walk-of-shame. Narrow “band” of error. Good waves for advanced sailors. W to NW
Selkirk Shores SP
Smooth “pebble” beach, with pebbles about the size of your fist. The more north the better, as the waves tend to be hard onshore and likely will teach you the meaning of “getting rejected”. Sailable, but not my idea of the best spots. WSW to WNW
Sandy Island Beach SP
Broke my all-time fave mast there. Sandy it is. Probably not the best for due W, but SW or NW would be OK. The eastern shore of Ontario never seems to be that good when it goes far S, so I would go on a day when there is a westerly. Pretty big waves for the amount of wind; broke my mast in a flubbed duck jibe on a wave, the tip of the mast dug into the bottom, a wave mashed the board down onto the mast. Before that, the waves were nice and smooth, well-formed.
Southwick Beach SP
Same as Sandy Island, but the beach is a little more friendly and the water gets deeper more slowly. NICE waves, but again a due W is difficult to negotiate. Go for SW or NW. Never seems to fill-in on a due S. GREAT spot for surf sailing or paddling an SUP. Nice amenities, the biggest downside is that during the summer the lifeguards will insist that you carry hundreds of yards away from the swimming beach. WSW to WNW
Westcott Beach SP
Protected by a spit of land from open water waves, this is the best site for beginners. Except that in recent years the lifeguards have suppressed launching from next to the boat launch breakwall. So you either have to be a bandit (sneak out before they catch you), or schlogg through the boat launch (big breakwall and angles make this difficult), or ask a camper if you can squeeze out from their spot (mostly they’re amenable). Much smaller waves, but if you want bigger fare you can head N out in to the bay exposed to open water. One of my fave spots, especially when the wind is marginal and you’re hoping for a late afternoon thermal. Late day thermals are pretty reliable here in late summer when it is sunny, clear and any westerly wind. WSW to WNW
Ray’s Bay
Forget about it. Expert high-wind sailors only. If the Mexico launch over rip-rap is intimidating, here you just have to throw your stuff in the water and jump in off the rocks. I understand the waves can get huge and smooth and fabulous. Of course, if things go bad you’ll need the State Police and/or locals to find you and your stuff. W to WNW
Chaumont (Sha-mo) Bay SP / Point Peninsula SP
Takes forever to get there, and therefore more secluded. Chaumont is protected flat water because of the peninsula blocking Ontario swells. So a little gusty like an inland lake, but a nice spot with a 1000 Island’s feel. Point Peninsula is open water bay, it would be akin to Ray’s Bay but more open-lake like. Best on WNW
Cape Vincent / Cedar Point SP
Relatively flat water. Cape Vincent is close enough to the mouth of the St Lawrence that lake swells come in if it’s windy enough. Cedar Point is more protected; I’ve not sailed there but have sailed a lot out of the Clayton Yacht Club in Clayton, NY. Roughly 5 kt current in the river, so not for anyone who isn’t skilled at staying upwind (or downwind) depending on the wind direction. Best on a SW or NE. It’s hard to beat the 1000 Islands in the summer, but again it’s a spot for skilled sailors. Cold water, BTW.
GEM
-
-
-
So now I’m PO’ed at you Doug.
I have noted that I can’t make new posts, and now when I try to text you I’ve got an old number or something, and I’m trying to get more activity on the site.
My recent attempts to make posts come back with a message “This thread is being moderated”.
Don’t know how to get a message through to you other than post a reply, which seems to work.
Getting very annoyed.
GEM
-
-
-