Wind Strength Adelaide Airport 2007/2008

Hi, I'm getting back in to sailboarding after a 13 year break. Out of interest I collated wind strength data recorded at 3PM at Adelaide airport over the last year:

www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW5001.latest.shtml

and thought it might be of interest to others. I know the sea breeze effect is stronger on the Northern beaches. However it seems that a board and rig that will plane in 16kt to 20kt winds is necessary and that a board and rig that will only get going in 25kt is of limited use (5 times during the year), but it's fun when it does!

Aug: 16kt+ 3 days, 20kt+ 1 day, 25kt+ 2 days.
Sept: 16kt+ 3 days, 20kt+ 2 day, 25kt+ 1 days.
Oct: 16kt+ 6 days, 20kt+ 3 day, 25kt+ 1 days.
Nov: 16kt+ 4 days, 20kt+ 0 day, 25kt+ 0 days.
Dec: 16kt+ 3 days, 20kt+ 2 day, 25kt+ 0 days.
Jan: 16kt+ 5 days, 20kt+ 2 day, 25kt+ 0 days.
Feb: 16kt+ 9 days, 20kt+ 0 day, 25kt+ 1 days.
March: 16kt+ 3 days, 20kt+ 2 day, 25kt+ 0 days.
April: 16kt+ 4 days, 20kt+ 1 day, 25kt+ 1 days.
May: 16kt+ 1 days, 20kt+ 1 day, 25kt+ 0 days.
June: 16kt+ 5 days, 20kt+ 0 day, 25kt+ 0 days.
July: 16kt+ 6 days, 20kt+ 1 day, 25kt+ 0 days.

cheers, Andy

Well then how come I used my 4.2m/4.7m and wave board more times last summer than the last three years winter and summer put together between sellicks and semaphore?

Wind stats aren't truely refelctive of actual sailability - most crew are sailing 6.0ish m sails and freewaves at 15-20 and having fun. Two boards is the go a medium/big allrounder and a high winder

I think cause the Airports in the middle it misses the true seabreeze to the North and Gullies to the south

Thats my 20cents worth anyway

Thanks for your responses; Russ good to hear you are getting plenty of high wind sailing, I'm curious what you weigh and the volume of your wave board.

I started windsurfing around 1986 on The Original Windsurfer then through to 1996 when I decided to build a Jabiru Ultralight and (unfortunately) sold off all my gear. At the time I was sailing with an 8'8" Wind Action wave board, a Bic Adagio for 15 to 20kt and North Ezzy Wave sails: 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and a 6 North Infinity. I was in to wave sailing and sailed mostly at Seacliff in the winter (lived nearby) and Largs in the summer; plus Middleton, the Mid and Snapper Point/ Dead Cow Cove (nearly drowned there on a big day). I remember when a good day at Seacliff would have 50 boards on the water.

I'm now retired and learnt to Kiteboard over the summer and bought all the gear; but I don't feel comfortable with the kite; it's like holding a tiger by the tail! So I've decided to sell off the kiteboarding gear and return to sailboarding.

I'm 6'2" (188cm) and 94kg. I've been trying to figure out what gear to get. There's heaps of second hand stuff available and I bought through Seabreeze a real nice Starboard Acid 88L wave board with a Neil Pryde Zone 2003 4.7m, a Neil Pryde NR 4.2m 1998, carbon mast, boom, harness etc from Brett at Henley Beach, all for $1,000.

As Russ says, I'll also need a floatier board. I'm thinking a 99L Starboard Carve? Plus larger sail/sails, I'm thinking a Neil Pryde Alpha 5.4 because it will fit on my 400 mast. Undecided about a 6.0, I don't want to carry 2 masts. Guys your advice would be appreciated along with any leads to suitable S/H gear, Andy

Thanks for the info Russ, looks like the Acid 88L and the 4.7M and 4.2M will be fine for 20kt plus and 25kt plus?

Based on your reply, the 99L Starboard Carve will be too small for the 15kt to 20kt range. My old Adagio was 110L/270cm and worked well with the North Infinity 6 in this wind range, wish I hadn't sold it! Your light wind Skate is only 241cm, that's 23cm shorter than my old Wind Action 8'8" wave board! Seems I'm after a 250cm board of 110L with a 6.5M sail for 15kt to 20 kt.

I assume you have a seperate mast and boom for the 6.4 Severne?

Any