Sunday 6/8/03 - Eagle Ocean (Rev's report)

Sounds like Clinton as usual delivered - I'm sorry this I missed the trip (I've been to Illinois three of the past four weekends to visit family and was not up for it this past weekend) - but it could of been worse... This is because the Eagle was pretty nice Sunday, WWWayne called it the "first day of summer" as we were all in spring suits (Jill, WWWayne, Sheila Me, Old Tom, Dr. Evil, and a farmer named Jeff - in a shorty), and there was quite a bit of sunshine.

We were quite warm at the launch as you are well sheltered from the wind, which was the usual amount of gustiness from SW. I was on a fairy flat 7.0 and used Chefs new formula board. That board rocks! (Morelater on that.)

I think everybody did well, most notable was Dr. Evil - he had his Starboard up to speed and was sailing very nicely - all this in the
typical EO blasts. We did see a pair of catapults from him. And they were executed with the style and grace that you Jeff, as a habitual Land Looper, would surly approve of. Jill was up to speed and in spite of my teasing, actually did pass me on the water and seems to have found another gear. WWW set many jibes marks for me, I got four good ones on him and a fifth (the
first attempt) where I got past him but he was actually on plane at that time, so I won't count it (Wayne only counts two but he has never been very good with numbers...) Tom was on his new 9.5 Retro and liked it quite a bit - was able to handle it in some big gusts.

Now on to the board review: it is 85 cm wind by 270 long, and 155 liters of volume. It is the wood construction and is extremely light. Beveled rails that are somewhat soft (very soft for a light air board). It has a lot of vee in the back - I'm not sure about the rocker. Now the wind was the usual gusty EO stuff - the big gusts were a handful on the flat 7.0, but this board sailed it very well. In my judgment as good as any 120 liter or bigger board that I have been on. It actually felt good in big gusts!

The jibing is quite good, although I'm still working on the technique - it is so light that you can really mess things up coming around after the sail throw. But I was looking forward to all my jibes with this board! In light air it planes up very quickly - seems like you could pump it onto plane if 5 knots (but probably need a bit more). Stays on plane in huge holes - none of this is surprising as this is what light and wide boards should do. What is amazing is that it sails so well powered up - definitely the shape for Mid-west sailing and in light air at Hatteras. It is quite different from the small boards that I have been sailing the past few years - you really need to be out on the rail to hold down the big fin. And when powered it responds differently than what I am used to - I'm still working on that.

But this is by far the best wide board that I've used - as compared to the Bic Techno I think the light weight is a huge improvement (for the more advanced sailor), but I've not sailed the Techno that much. I think that this shape is the best thing to replace the 110 - 130 liter and bigger light air free-ride boards for most people (7.0 meter and bigger sails). It does sail quite a bit different than the typical narrow shape, and this does take getting used to. WWW tried it and did not seem too impressed (but by this time he may have had impaired judgment from lake water ingestion :-). But I think most people would like it better after getting used to the different technique.

Amen
Rev Mike