Feb 14

3459km

Bonaire Lac Bay, NP EVO5 7.8, iSonic 107, Drake carbon slalom 38. Wind: 12 and dropping

This afternoon the wind was a little too mellow. Got one run across the bay and a slog back. 4PM wind bump failed to materialize...

Spent some time inspecting the sail after I realized that the Mylar in the bottom panel had a 2 inch split. Found another split in the panel above the boom. I knew the Mylar was getting brittle, but was not prepared for this rapid deterioration. Looks like I'll be investigating repaneling this sail or springing for something new/newer... 

Roo commented:

Just use some Mylar repair tape, should keep it together for the rest of the season. Looks like ARooBar could turn on for the next 2 days here, hopefully the freezing rain doesn't close the freeway to get there. Been 3 months since I sailed, hope i remember how to do it.

I commented:

I taped the splits this afternoon. I have no problem taping the sail, until the Mylar disintegrates to the point that the sail panels are mostly tape . A friend here does sail repair (Mylar panel replacement) so I have a local repair source as long as he has the correct thickness Mylar. The question will be at what point it makes more sense to replace the sail than to repair all the panels. Might be kind of fun to have something like a new Sailworks NX on the water here considering that almost all the race sails here are hand-me-down-from-the-pros, or the Pro's newest Gaastra Vapors and Severne Reflexes. Only one other person using NP EVOs, and EVO5 at that. 

The wind looks to be slightly improving here for the next couple of days. I'll try to 'do good' so the Speedsters can get some numbers on the board .

Enjoy your sessions! Be slow and safe getting there and then rip it on the water. Your 'muscle memory' is so entrenched that you could do it in your sleep!