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4/19 -- Has it ever been that windy before?
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erogind



Joined: 28 May 1998
Posts: 41

PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:38 pm    Post subject: Windiest Day of the Millenium Reply with quote

In 22 years of sailing the bay, that was the windiest day I have seen. As Allen Zimmerman used to say... a day for High Wind Specialists. There were a couple of us in the channel from ~1:50 to 2:30. Probably averaging high 30s w/ gusts in the 40s. The Ebb had only just started and the ramps were very large... and surprisingly smooth. On my 4.1 and 74l it was quite exciting. Adrenaline ran out after ~40 minutes and had to take a break. During the break, guys rigging 3.5 to 3.7. gals 2.9 to 3.3. I didn't want to rig my old 3.5 and kept the 4.1. Biggest sail on the beach. Yikes. Back out in mid-channel from 3 PM to 4 PM, where it had gotten much squirrellier. Avg 45, gust into the 50s, I say. The ramps were gigantic. Bus Size++. Biggest I have ever seen in the Bay. They were like huge North Shore rollers... still surprisingly smooth. Easily fit two people, hi/low on a couple "faces". As noted, the water/air interface takes on never before seen qualities ripples on froth on white caps. I got hit by some spray that came from somewhere unseen that almost ripped through my face. The air temp was not that cold, maybe 56, but w/ 50 mph wind chill my fingers were getting frozen. Got out while I could still think (shouldda rigged that 3.5 anyway). At 4 PM guys were taking out their girlfriends/wives 2.9/3.3 gear and 225 lb guys were on 3.7s. I couldn't muster the courage/warmth to head back out.

It was a fine turnout by the Bay Area / 3rd community. Planets lined up for a Saturday afternoon full on Ebb w/ 40-50+ mph winds. When does that happen?

A lifetime memory, for sure.
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Arrgh



Joined: 05 May 1998
Posts: 864
Location: Rio

PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I jumped (accidentally) clear over Sherman Island and landed on the San Joaquin River in front of Eddo's. Wink
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jerrybertrand



Joined: 25 May 1998
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What an absolutely outrageous day with winds going nuclear by about 2:00 PM (give or take) and the Channel Marker (8A) being the edge beyond which the really strong winds kicked up a notch or two or more. I went out on my 4.7 initially and struggled to mid-channel and came back to rig down to 4.2. By this time the SFO (tower arrival) wind speeds were 30-ish gusting 40-ish kts and then they picked up to 37 kts / 47 kt gusts and finally 35 kts / 50 kt gusts. I attempted twice on my 4.2 before rigging my 3.5. All felt good and I went to the far edge of the channel and back twice before the wind notched up to "liquid smoke" with the spray at the tops of the swell being "jetted" off the way I have seen it on a fall Gorge day when the winds are easterly and starting off the day at 60 kts. I raced back in and decided to wait for calmer times - not to be. On my last trip out at 5:00 PM the wind in the channel was building to the point that a trip across to the other side almost cost me the day; I managed to limp back across and get back into the "lighter" inside winds.

The swell was remarkable at times and difficult at other times. Swell peaks were 8 feet high "and up" with some going logo or maybe higher. Big sweeping swell developed briefly but later the intense winds and the their gusts "jetting off" the swell tops caused confused sets and faces to show up.

All in all this is one of the biggest days I have ever sailed at Third. It was a real handful at every turn but it was great to be challenged this way all afternoon and to learn more about sailing these types of winds and surviving them too! The air was colder than I thought - 49 F at 5:30 PM - and many complained of the wind chill.

I won't ever forget this April 2008 treat!

Jerry
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johnl



Joined: 05 Jun 1994
Posts: 1330
Location: Hood River OR

PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I dug out my records. It was August 5th last year at Sherman. I've attached a printout. When you see it peaking, that was when I went out. Man that was some wind......


Big Wind.gif
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Big Wind.gif


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jordanwd



Joined: 20 May 2007
Posts: 158

PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:33 pm    Post subject: Re: 4/19 -- Has it ever been that windy before? Reply with quote

....
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proparoo



Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 20

PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For us at "The Sign" (Sherman Island) we all came to conclusion, after sailing that site for the past 20 years, it was defanately the windiest day we can remember. There was one day last Summer that was the windiest but this one topped it by a couple of notches.

After most of us (me included) got blown off the water on whatever small sails we had (3.2 - 3.7) Jason, Vince and Mike gave us quite a show getting some of the biggest air and best wipeouts. The wind came in waves around 7pm that pegged our wind meter to 60mph and rocked our camper all night.

Here is a link to some more photos I took around the peak winds http://www.flickr.com/photos/proparoo

What a great way to start another season...




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markpaine



Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 90
Location: San Francisco, CA

PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the photos Rich. I love that first photo of Vince endo and out of the straps.

-Mark
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diannesf



Joined: 19 Apr 2005
Posts: 74
Location: San Francisco

PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, certain sites on certain days in history have seen as much wind, and perhaps even more.

But EVERY site, from the north to south coast, Crissy, Sherman, 3rd, and all points inbetween, EVERY site over 30 for a good part of the day??? I can't remember it...but I don't think anyone will forget this one! I couldn't even let my dog on the beach for fear she would blow away...
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I actually saw my 80-pound lab get blown over on a peninsula in a NM lake years ago. A gust just caught her by surprise and over she went.

\m/
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