bliss - really nice sail

Nice one.

The weather has been pretty good for last couple of weeks. Not much wind but at least not much rain either and a bit warmer than all summer. 25 degrees and the sun shining. Quite unbelievable weather and a pleasant change.

Sounds like fun to me

I was sailing the other day on my short board and 5.2 meter sail in painful swirling 10-14 knt winds in Trial Bay. I was getting frustrated, half on the plan, falling off in the lulls and generally having a shocker. Then over my shoulder an old dude (in his 70's) skids by fully on the plan and smiling. His wise chioce of 8.5 meter sail and huge board was very humbling indeed. The positives, I still have 30 years sailing left in me

In regards to your other post about fitness, I reckon the the best exercise for sailing, is sailing. At least it doesn't seem like exercise (I seriously hate exercise!), and it will work every muscle that needs to be worked. You will also get out more often in marginal conditions, which will help with your ballance and fitness big time. Well, that was my theory when I surfed comps. It was the fun (and easy) option to boring old exercise.

I sometimes like the softer winds for just taking a cruise. Big sail, big board and not much chop is just a nice relaxing way to spend some time. I use a larger board quite often because it does get quite gusty down here and you need some volume to keep on the plane and to make it easy when you are slogging.
Do you think sometimes people use a board that is too small and would have more fun with a bit more volume???

Yep but you're not a feeble aged woman.. Back in the 90's my favourite sailing on the lake was strong wind warning/ gale sailing... One reason was I was younger & fitter and sailed in the surf and the only time the lake appealed was in those conditions..I think another was in those days the board only really got interesting in strong winds.. Now I have a freeride board & sail that can be fun in 10-15kts..

Yep.. I was one of those when I first got back into it 2 years ago with a 96 model 86ltre waveboard. everyone else was blasting around & I was slogging..[}:)]

Yeah..nah :P While I agree that breaking out the 8.5 and hyper in 15kts is fun every now and then, you still can't beat 25kts+ :D But I guess it's horses for courses And yeah as Sheartip said...it's been a bad summer, if it wasn't for that 2 weeks I spent in Esperance i'd have gone insane by now.

It was this state of mind that was the reason I stopped sailing in the 90s. It only blows like this a few times a year. I want to be able to sail as often as possible. I'll take a 12 knots breeze, a big efficient sail, enough volume in the board and being able to sail 3 to 4 times a month any day. At least it gets me out on the water and keeps me fit to take advantage of the occasional 25kts.

Keep Sailing
John