10/21, UL Saratoga, 86L/4.4-4.7

[kenonstott]

Just in from the Caribbean and itching to get back in the saddle. The highest wind prediction I saw was for 16 and most were lower than that. What an unexpected gift to pull in and have it blowing +25 (Saratoga was in the 30’s and the Provo meter was down). I didn’t even bring my high wind board. Totally wound on the 4.7 having trouble even getting it down the slope to the water. 7 of us enjoyed the wild conditions. Last time I sailed UL it was April. The downside was the low water. It looked good to have all the ankle-busting rocks dry on the beach. But about 10’ into the water our feet started punching through the hard crust and sinking from ankle-deep to almost knee-deep. I had a leg cramp by the time I got to where it was deep enough to launch. And even on the outside turns I was hitting bottom when I fell so it can’t be much over 7’ deep. And we had to bail as soon as we got to the dike or we started dragging fins. Everything that was in the water is covered with mud. Made for a great hairstyle. After the clear, turquois water of the Caribbean, sailing on liquid mud was startling. Still, I can’t complain too much as it has been 3 weeks since I sailed and early August since I used a 4.7.

[DimitriMilovich]

Ken, where were you in the Caribbean? How was the wind and accommodations?

[kenonstott]

We were on a 5-day cruise stopping at Jamaica and Grand Cayman. We were in the water a lot but I didn't sail. We saw 4 sailboarders and 2 kiters as we were leaving Miami in 15 knots of wind/big sails. Otherwise we didn't see any wind or sailors.