Hi guys,
Though the GPS guys would have the best idea on the topic.
I'm planning a charity downwinder.
On big-medium sized slalom gear, is it possible to sail 100km a day???
Obviously this is weather and wind dependant.
But off the wind sailing is 100km "do able"???
greatly appreciated.
thanks
J
Is the wind consistant? does it blow the who;e day
Is the 100km as the crow flys? if so real distance +40% dependant on wind angle
How much chop is expected? Open water speed is generally below 30knots.
100km you will need check points/refueling stations.
Hi and thanks.
it'll be open ocean, hopefully downwind.
could be everything from 7m + big board to 5m + chop board.
going to plan it all off the wind.
trying to average 100km a day.
the car can then follow easily.
no water cover.
The famous Ledge to Lancelin is 10.08 km as the crow flies. Did that once and called it a day.
Did Austinmeer to Corrimal last year. It's 7.8 km straight line, although it wasn't the full days sailing it did finish the day off.
It's easy enough to windsurf 100ks in a day, or even an afternoon - done it several times, as have plenty of people here.
One thing you might consider is that sailing that far down the coast could take you into a different weather zone where your chosen kit may be unsuitable. 60 k down the coast you can't just come in and change down/up. Perhaps a local marathon might be better? Just a thought.
100k on one tack would be pretty punishing too.
Im not fussed about the one tack!
Theres people out there doing it far worse.
I hear the changing weather/wind problem.
hopefully having adjustable outhauls and harness lines will help fix this problem.
Planning is getting more involved and looking awesome.
Its still a fair way off but man i'm excited.
Might even do a marathon or social downwinder as part of it.
cheers for the info guys.
much appreciated.
There are a couple of threads in the NSW forum where this sort of sailing is being discussed. One valid point raised is back in the day, in the 80s, it was not unusual for windsurfers to try to go for longer distances and go on more epic journies. Its pretty rare nowdays. Perhaps its because back then they used longboards and sailed in lighter winds.
I could imagine windsurfing from the upper Central Coast down to the northern beaches of Sydney would be doable on the right day, a moderate seabreeze up to about 20 knots. Any stronger and it would get pretty difficult if you started out on bigger gear.
Thats similar to what i'm thinking.
Just start further north and end further south.
I think with the right gear, you could cover as good a range as with old WINDSURFER style gear.
thanks again for info
