Feb 15 - Lac Bay

4614km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2018 GA Phantom 7.8, 2017 iSonic 127, Drake 44

Launched at about 1705 for first run. Second run was at 1745. Between the two runs I swapped out the 'new' Drake rear foot straps with the 'old style' black Drake footstraps that don't collapse as easily. Got catapulted on the first run trying to get into the rear strap. Even with the new straps installed it is still dicey getting into the rear straps. They are not where I expect them and seem to be close to the edge of the board so my heel hits the water while I'm trying to insert my foot.

On the plus side, once in the straps it goes nicely in 13 to 15 knot winds.

Feb 14 - Lac Bay

4609km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2018 GA Phantom 7.1, 2015 iSonic 107, Drake 38 wind: 15 G 18 knots

Good session. Adjusted harness lines just a tad forward, made all the difference in control effort. I need to pay closer attention to balancing the harness line position.

Getting better at switching the feet BEFORE flipping the sail. Still have trouble getting the front foot out of the strap before rotating the body. 

Did multiple waterstarts with clearing the sail. As long as the chop isn't too big, this is not an issue anymore.

Feb 13 - Lac Bay

4596km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2019 Point-7 AC One 6.2, 2015 iSonic 107, Drake 38

Launched at 1530, second run at 1545.

Well powered to overpowered. Second run was a little dicey. Stopped to rest and the wind picked up even more. If I had been thinking, I should have gotten out the Hi-Tech Slalom, would probably have been perfect for it...

Feb 12 - Lac Bay

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2018 GA Phantom 7.1, 2015 iSonic 107, Drake 38

Sailed about 1410, 1630 to about 1705. Underpowered most of the time. Should have been on the 7.8.

NOTE the license plate on the RAV4. A Kuma touch :).

Feb 10 - Lac Bay

4579km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2019 Point-7 ACOne 6.2, 1985 Hi-Tech Carbon Slalom 9'

Sailed between 1400 and 1500 and 1600 to 1630.

I was OK powered in 1400-1500 session and fully powered in the 1600 to 1630 session.

Nice ride for both sessions. Had difficulty jibing the Point-7 because of the cams but I'm getting closer. The Hi-Tech slalom felt narrower than the 8'9" when jibing. I'll have to measure it. The slalom Hi-Tech seemed much more twitchy sensitive to foot placement. 26" harness lines are also the ticket for me. Much more comfortable, much less strain on the arms and more weight on the harness lines.

Feb 6 - Lac Bay

4560 km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2015 Retro 5.5, 1991 Hi-Tech 8'9". 

NOTE: Taty was sailing in Defi-Wind Miyakojima-shi, Okinawa-ken, Japan

Sailed between 1330 and 1400, around 1530 and 1630

Good day for the Gorge Gear! Very nicely powered except for the 1630 run (only made an over and back run and was worried about slogging back). The Hi-Tech definitely needs some power to keep it on a plane.

Last night I changed harness lines from 28" back to 26" and it felt much more comfortable. I can now put a lot more weight on the harness lines and still comfortably reach/grip the boom. Today my arms were not the issue, but during the 1530 runs my legs cramped a little. Always some weak link in the body :). At least now I think I can go longer distances since my arms won't get strained as much. 

The sailing runs were a workout but, per usual, jibing was better. Tide was high enough for me to get the slingshot runs into the mangrove area and still jibe and sail away.

Feb 3 - Lac Bay

4560km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2019 Point-7 ACOne 6.2, 2015 iSonic 107, Drake 38.

Made one run about 1215. Underpowered Didn't feel like re-rigging. Went home early.

Feb 2 - Lac Bay

4541km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2018 GA Phantom 7.8, 2017 iSonic 127, Drake 44, Wind 13-15 knots.

Got a 1630 start so short session. Had a couple of short planing runs. Had to wait for a gust to get planing, after that seemed to have enough apparent wind to plane through the lulls.

I like the Phantom, easy to handle, cams rotate much easier than the cams on the GA Vapors.

Feb 1 - Lac Bay

4535km

Lac Bay, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2015 Sailworks Retro 6.5, Hi-Tech 8'9", 2017 iSonic 107, Drake 38  

Went out at 1140 on the Hi-Tech and while in the middle I was nicely powered, at the launch and mangroves I was seriously underpowered. Made a run switched to the iSonic 107. Had a couple of good, white knuckle runs to the south - it was suggested that I used too large a fin. I definitely was 'on the edge'.  Stopped for a break and talked with Toni and Daniel. When I was ready to sail again (1430) the wind had dropped to the point where I could not even plane on the 107. Made it to the sandbar, gave up and returned to the launch area.

Jan 22 - Lac Bay

4524km

Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

2018 GA Phantom 7.8, 2017 iSonic 127, Drake 44   Wind: 10-13 knots

Had enough wind on first run (1340) but had difficulty finding rear strap. Dumped it twice. Second time dumped in a manner that completely filled the luff sleeve with water. Good News. I was able to clear the sail in deep water and waterstart.

Second run the wind was just too light for me to get on a plane (1500)