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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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Wind-NC.com
Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 980 Location: Formerly Cape Hatteras, now Burlington, VT!
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:18 am Post subject: |
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Yes, 99% of sailors gravitate toward the sound side in Hatteras, regardless of gender, race, age, or employment circumstance... and it is no wonder: The sound is an easy and fun place to sail. I love it just as much as I love a good wave day.
Longboard/SUP sailing is super fun, also, but I don't necessarily think that I would count that option under the title "best DTL sailing on the east coast." More like a "way way way better than nothing" category. Luckily, for many, big boards can get them on the water 5-10x more per year having fun, but it really doesn't compare to powered up 4.2 or 5.2 on an 80-90 liter board. Really fun, yes. Best, no.
Hatteras winters are chilly, but with the right gear they aren't that bad. If people can sail in Canada, NY, Cape Cod, ME, etc, all winter long, then we definitely don't have anything to complain about down here. And the suits are SO good now, it really isn't a big deal to head out in our average: mid 40s air temps.
Obviously, I'm biased, but Hatteras is a pretty freaking awesome place _________________ formerly known as hodad.andy
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paulf.
Joined: 21 Mar 1996 Posts: 435
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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almost perfect except for those occasional 9XXmb swirly things that blow through. |
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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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there we go with perspectives again. i have sailed hundreds of days in the surf with long boards since 2006. sometimes planing, sometimes not. best side off days have been when the wind is 40 degrees offshore at 7-15 mph. waves are perfectly glassy.
after so many days on the long board, i have determined that it is far superior of a ride than short boards. if those that have not made this comparison thru numerous trials and comparisons claim one thing vs my views i can only say come and join me. find out for yourself. once you've sailed long boards on super glassy days, maybe you might not be so sure small stuff is oh so good?
beauty of the long board i use is i can sail it in 40 degree side off with wind doing 9-29 mph and sail a hundred waves or so. same conditions with a short board, i would be flopping or slamming around so much that i could only get 20 rides in the same time before utter exhaustion sets in. _________________ www.aerotechsails.com
www.exocet-original.com
www.iwindsurf.com
http://www.epicgearusa.com/ |
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jpeter
Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 353
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:52 am Post subject: |
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jingebritsen, I agree that proper perspective is important, here is mine "There is no wind in Florida."
Telling someone to move to Florida to windsurf is about the same as telling someone to move to Australia for the skiing. (there is skiing there)
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Wind-NC.com
Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 980 Location: Formerly Cape Hatteras, now Burlington, VT!
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:22 am Post subject: |
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Hi John, Perspectives are great, and I agree with you- Longboard sailing in light side off winds is really really really fun! I got my first sailable SUP in 2007, so I've been at it (and promoting it) for quite awhile, too. I agree, getting out there on really glassy days and mostly using the power of the wave to get moving is a great experience. However, I'm entitled to my opinion as to what's "better," just as you are.
If I was shown two doors, clearly labelled "5-15 mph side off" and the other "15-25 side off", nine times out of ten I would choose the latter door. Well, here in Hatteras at least. We're lucky enough to have really good wind/wave angles AND reasonably decent wind quality here, which allows for the use of small gear in lots of wind while maintaining a really clean, chop free wave face. That's one of the reasons why I love it here so much.
I'm really happy that you're taking advantage of your local conditions! If I lived in FL, I'd be right there with you.
PaulF: Yes, true, there can be storms here, but the entire east coast/gulf coast/Caribbean/etc is equally susceptible to the same storms. Cali has earthquakes and mudslides, the midwest has wild fires, central US has tornadoes, etc etc etc... Mother Nature is always in control! _________________ formerly known as hodad.andy
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boardsurfr
Joined: 23 Aug 2001 Posts: 1266
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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I find it quite amusing to see Andy post about "decent wind quality" in side-off conditions at Hatteras. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have images of Andy slogging out to the waves in rather variable winds; probably the result of watching too many of his videos . But I take it that compared to other spots, the side-off wind in Hatteras is not too bad.
That said, I'd probably agree with him if I'd venture out into waves more. I love longboard sailing and light wind freestyle on big gear; there's a Fanatic Cat, Kona Maholo, Mistral Pandera, and three sailable SUPs in the garage, and all have been sailed last year. But when the wind picks up, the temptation to try to plane on a small board is very strong. That might even be one reason why I'm not in the waves when in Hatteras - in side-off conditions, the wind on the sound side will be steadier and stronger. Can't wait to be there again! |
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mrgybe
Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 5181
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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Andy, Every other windsurfer I have ever known or encountered would be trying to get through that same door with you so don't block the entrance! Making a retirement location decision takes some considerable thought. Rollerrider and his spouse need to decide their collective priorities and if year round warm weather is at the top, then Fla may be the right choice. Clearly, however, that is at the expense of consistent strong winds which has been my own priority thus far. There are always warm places to visit during the few chilly months. But hey, who doesn't enjoy sailing during a snowstorm? |
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capetonian
Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Florida
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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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mrgybe wrote: | There are always warm places to visit during the few chilly months. |
Bingo |
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WaterKook
Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 1713 Location: The Dude abides!!!!!
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