Kalmus vs W. Dennis

OliverTwist · Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 211

I need to stop at inland sea Friday to pick up a mast. I've never sailed W. Dennis. How does it compare to Kalmus?

scooper · Joined: 28 May 1987 Posts: 537 Location: Massachusettes

West Dennis has the reputation for slightly gustier wind when it goes to the W, although Kalmus can be gusty in W too. In SW the wind is often pretty similar, sometimes a hair lighter than Kalmus. The water state at West Dennis is simlar to Kalmus except that it can get a little more chop at high tide, especially out past the rock island, and gets very shallow and flat on the inside at low tide, good for hero jibes if you have a short fin. You can also sail on the pond side at mid to high tide for super flat water. The wind is gustier on the pond side but it allows for sailing in all wind directions and makes the site very versatile. Some pics of West Dennis here- (just skip all the unrelated stuff)http://waterloggedbyscooper.blogspot.com/search/label/West%20Dennis%20Beach

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

West D. doesn't have a boat channel like Kalmus. In fact, boaters aren't a hazard there. The kiters are more numerous because it's rather ideal to learn the sport when the tide is low. As scooper suggested, the surface can get somewhat radical out by the rock. If you don't have a strong steady wind, your experience can be "challenging". Expect to water-start in deep periods and cresting chop. I haven't liked it when the winds shift into the west picking up long lulls. I hope to go to Harding's the next time I see that as a forecast. However, like you I only sail it when on a visit to the shop.

tom_eberhard · Joined: 04 May 2000 Posts: 25

OliverTwist · Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 211

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds good. I'll give it a try.

ron.c · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 1460

Check you inbox Oliver.

I got a quick warm up session in tonight (4-5) at Skaket, plain vanilla high wind 5.0 sailling. -Short, Sweet "A" conditions-

I'm gonna do it again tomorrow starting at 11-11:30

Ron C.

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

Here's a post from a kiter's forum.
>>03/10/2008 01:03 A.M.
West Dennis was gr8 today but gusty as hell. Just me and a cool guy Duncan and a few windsurfer obstacles. Sunny and warm with a 3/2.<< I'ld like to obtain a good sleeveless 3/2 sometime. Nowadays, I am using a full wetsuit and it is more than adequate.

ron.c · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 1460

No Kalmus or W. Dennis Today

CC Bay - Skaket - Oliver & me -SW w/ gusts to 40? - '91 Haut rode it well - Glad to have Oliver along for the crazy conditions, Grade A

RC

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

The gusts were up to 41 m.p.h. yesterday at WB and the lulls down to 14. Very radical. I also had an old glass board as the water was rough. (Pictured is another that I recently bought for $25) After 50+ sessions on new wide boards with much more volume, changing my technique was challenging, but not prohibitive. If the forecast had been correct, I would have brought my newer short board along and smaller sails.

Grades.
Excitement: A+
Consistency:C
Comfort Level:B-
Danger Factor:A

JRuffus · Joined: 17 Apr 2001 Posts: 293

We raged at seabrook was better for kiting but the windsurfers provided us with things to jump over and look down at. Think I need a camera as thskinh pics from 30 feet up directly overhead of the windsurfers would make for some sick pictures!