Hypersonic testing
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:40 pm
The Hypersonic testing didn't go as well as planned. Board is a 2003 Starboard Hypersonic 125 DRAM. I was using a 48cm Curtis fin and I'm 220lbs. Feels fast but didn't get a chance to really test it. It's lack of length(shortness) is first thing I noticed. The 2nd thing was the volume(only 125 liters) gotta tack quickly. I didn't get to jibe as I was either overpowered or underpowed so I'll leave the jibe testing for next time. It has a very noticeable double concaves. I'm sorry I can't give you better info but it was an uneventful session. next time!! The boring stuff..
I got to Pat Bay at 3:45pm and it was blowing 12-14 knots. I rigged up the 9.0 and walked out 200 yards to the edge of the water then another 40 yards until there was enough water so my new 48cm fin didn't touch. I got up and slogged for a minute until getting used to the board being so short. Started planing but still getting used to the board, tacked and fell in. It was now blowing probably 20kts and I was completely overpowered and after hitting each wave I was getting air and the board was flying all over and the fin was spinning out. Not good. I waterstarted but couldn't go downwind back to the beach as I'd get catapaulted each time I tried. I yanked on the adjustable outhaul until the sail was flat but it was now gusting probably 25 kts. Made my way in and derigged the 9.0 and rigged the Ezzy 6.9. BigD showed up and rigged his 6.0(all he had) and Starboard GO 190. Wind was dropping. Got out and had 1 good run powered up in the straps going pretty fast but then wind died down to 10-12 knots and I slogged for 30 mins then came in and talked about booze, babes and bowling. The wind came up a bit so we went out for another 20 mins. Had 2 good planing runs in the straps but couldn't jibe or tack without falling in so got lots of waterstart practice. The board was fantastic for waterstarting. I've got those dialed in now. I could waterstart in 10 kts of wind. Pretty good for me.
I'll keep working this guy as I think he'll be a good board for me to grow with and learn jibes and possibly do some small jumps. We'll see.
Definitely need some Nitnat steady winds to get more info.
Later!
BOBSON: Where is you're Ross Bay update?!..Also how about we get 'Turtle' to sail from mill bay -pat bay for a session & then drop off @ the mill bay ferry!..Jim
Sunday's testing went well. I sailed Ross Bay from 10am till 1pm on Sunday the 13th. It was quite gusty and by looking at the Trial Is. winds reports it looks like it was blowing approx 15kts but was quite gusty with lulls of 5kts and gusts to almost 20. I am 220 and was using an Ezzy 6.9m. I started out with a 46cm racing fin but found I spun-out when fully powered and putting lots O' pressure on the fin. I changed and used the 54cm stock freeride from the GO and didn't spinout again. I'll try the 65cm fin when I rig up the 9.0m on this one again and see how it performs. The 54cm seems to work well but what the flip do I know...?? 
When it was powered up planing it felt very quick and the nose rode was very low to the water although it rode through the chop very smoothly. There was lots and lots of chop around the end of Clover point and it went through it well both upwind and especially downwind. I was worried about catching the nose on the backside of step ramp but didn't happen so all is well. Definitely fastest on a beam reach and seemed easy to get into the strap(which are placed on the outside without inside placements for learning). I really enjoyed sailing with the Ezzy 6.9m. Obviously not as much sail to flip and hang onto but it really seems to hummm along racked back and speeding along even through the big chop.