March 11 - Lac Bay

4, 321 km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

1990 Sailworks Cam 1+1 4.6, 1990 Hi-Tech 8'9" Rounded Pintail, Wind: 25 G 35 knots

Not your typical  Bonaire windsurfing day - windwise. Initially rigged the Retro 5.5 with extra downhaul and plugged it into my favorite Gorge Board, a 1988 Hi-Tech 8'3" rounded pintail. Unfortunately, I was a) fully to overpowered and b) too fat. During my peak windsurfing days I weighed about 140 lbs. I'm now getting close to 180 lbs. Those additional 40 lbs turned what was a 'sinker' board into a submarine. Had to acknowledge defeat and retry. Having recently sailed the 8'9", I knew it could keep me above water once it had a little forward motion. Rigged down to the 4.6 since it was gusty and I was already tired just from attempting to sail the 8'3". First observation on the 4.6 is that it is incredibly light compared to my new sails (maybe half the weight). Also, the cams rotated SO easily. If Sailworks made this sail today, it would be my entire quiver. Being a 27 year old sail, I figured all the mylar panels would blow out so I stayed in the shallow, rental area. I don't like this area because of the disorganized chop created by all the sailors, but figured that if the panels blew, it would be a lot easier getting back to the car.

Because of the number of sailors on the water, some moving, some not, beam reaches were about all that was possible so speeds were low, but given the conditions the sailing was surprisingly comfortable and fun. The 4.6 gave me good power but only a couple of times did I feel fully powered. May have to try my old Sailworks Race 5.1 tomorrow. Did do a couple of 'sort of' broad reaches and picked up slightly more respectable speeds. Not having been on the water for over two weeks, I was again greeted by my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Leg Foot-Cramp. Hopefully they will be no-shows for tomorrow.