Nov 14 - Lac Bay

3909km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

NP EVO5 7.8, iSonic 127 Ultra, Drake Carbon Race 44. Wind: 12 knots      I launched about 4 PM.

Well, turns out that even the 127 and a 7.8 is just barely enough to get old fatty on a plane in 12 knots of wind. As per usual, the run to the mangroves went well but was pretty slow going getting back to the launch area. The slightly downwind run to the mangroves felt good. Board handled nicely. Went a little too far into the shallows and caught the fin on the mud bottom which ended the jibe attempt.

What went wrong today: First off (and I don't want to hear any comments from Roo), even though Roo told me last Spring to replace the rubber u-joints, I noted it but didn't follow through when I got to Bonaire. The good news is that rubber u-joint failed as I was carrying the gear to the water. Switched to the u-joint on my second base and made the run, although was thinking about the u-joint the whole time since they are the same age. Secondly, when the wind is really light, like today, I have a bad habit of using my head/helmet to rotate the cams in the sail on a failed jibe. I did this today and the old sail responded with a six inch rip in the mylar... Good thing I'm getting new sails in a couple of weeks and the wind looks to be very light for at least the next seven days.

What went right today: given the lack of wind, I figured I would stroll over to Jibe City on the off chance that they would have Chinook u-joint rubber. Not only did they have it, but they keep it in the refrigerator to slow the deterioration process!! Tomorrow is u-joint rubber replacement day [update: u-joint rubber replaced on both Euro-pin bases on Nov 15]. Also, while I was there, I got their last Severne 26" to 32" adjustable harness line set. Nice looking lines with clearly marked, sewn-in inch increments so it will be obvious what line length I'm at when I'm messing around with the harness lines. Now have good lines for both my carbon booms.

A couple of shots of my new-to-me 2017 iSonic 127 Ultra board...

Roo commented:
I change them out at the start of every season, better safe than sorry and I like to sail my gear hard. Got skunked today, loads of wind, gusting 40 knots but no sandbar. Nice drive to the coast through the autumn colours though. Good to see you are using your head for the things that matter.

I commented:

Yup, replacing every year seems like a good plan, especially on Bonaire. I don't sail as hard as you do in the Gorge but at $10 a pop it is very cheap insurance.

Sorry you got skunked. I watched the wind but wasn't looking at the tides...

LOL on using my head - that is about all it is good for these days. 

Boris commented:
What happened to the sandbar???

Roo commented:
Boro with the wind came the water, 30 foot seas off the Columbia bar, hence the tide was running 2.5 feet above normal. Didn't drop down enough until it was dark so no sandbar to sail behind in daylight.

Boris commented:
Bummer! Wind forecast was looking really good.