Maybe tidal differences as well?

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sailquik said..
I actually like the idea of the water filled plastic tube. I can see it might be feasible to construct it using ultasonic welding and a huge roll of PVC.

The inherent problem with such a structure is that it is water filled, and therefore has the same density as the water it sits in, with the exception of the actual plastic film. This means it need to be anchored to the bottom securely. Not an insurmountable problem, but a complication nonetheless. because, wherever there is strong wind, the surface water will be moving with it, trying to drag you barrier as well.

It has to stick above the water, so there will be a little bit of downforce. But the wind and water will push it downwind. They had some problems with that during the first year. The tube held without problems in 15-20 knots, but started moving when it picked up to 30 knots. They fixed it by adding more anchors. One every 15 ft worked for 30 knots; for 40 knots, you might need more or heavier anchors. Seems solvable, though. And if you curve the tarp a bit to get a deep downwind angle towards the end, most of the anchors will be needed near the front.

If you set up at a place with long shallow areas, the barrier "reef" does not need to be very long, since an approach at decent speed is possible through moderate chop. At the GPS trial in Cervantes, the length of the speed strip was less than 150 m, with sizable chop at the approach and noticeable wind shadow after the first 50 m or so. The spit at Lake George is about 400 m before the trees. A 500 m reef with a 300 m approach through 2 ft water may be too short for official 500 m records, but should be good enough for 50 knot 10-second runs.

Check out the Mining ventilation tube halfway down this page. :-)

The question is, would it be strong enough ?? (Inflated with water of course)

Of course, anchor points would have be be added. It has to hold in 40+ knots or it is pointless.

www.derflex.com/m/prodetail.asp?id=115

Looks like just the right stuff if they can make bouncy castles out of it. It's probably very similar to what they used in Hatteras. Did you ask them how much a 500 m long, 1.5-2 m diameter tube would cost?

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boardsurfr said..
Looks like just the right stuff if they can make bouncy castles out of it. It's probably very similar to what they used in Hatteras. Did you ask them how much a 500 m long, 1.5-2 m diameter tube would cost?

Not yet.

Tomorrow.

I like your thinking Daffy. What about a oil boom with a tail . Cant draw it but think of a sideways P . the top sits at water level and the tail trails out up wind and is anchored into the sand by sand into pockets. The wave action should run up the tarp and be absorbed by the top. It would only work in shallow water. You wouldn't need a great length for some places in Shark bay .

I'll do my bit. Drawing up a plan for Sharkbay. Sandbags. Can only try considering the salt mine can buy out certain areas that should not be converted to salt mining. Happening now an done. So 700m sandbag line verses 1000sqkms killed? Salt mine does not bring tourists or money to towns.

Im loving all this positivity, normally on line everyone just wants to kill ideas! Lets bring it on. Little acorns to mighty oaks!

Balz Muller has a foiling 101 video with an inflatable mini oil slick boom in background. Obviously available. Already made. 500m probably not too costly and can be removed after events to keep councils happy.



Though maybe a larger tube with a diametre just slightly greater than depth and pumped full of water would be more stable in 40 knots and a more effective chop barrier.

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A "silt boom" is also available, same as oil boom but with a curtain hanging under it. Wonder if in a shallow area without large chop already if this would be enough? Light and manoeuvrable but would need plenty of anchoring. Would a floating boom be effective at creating smooth water in addition the curtain slowing water movement? Multiple barriers might help?

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yoyo said..
Balz Muller has a foiling 101 video with an inflatable mini oil slick boom in background. Obviously available. Already made. 500m probably not too costly and can be removed after events to keep councils happy.



Though maybe a larger tube with a diametre just slightly greater than depth and pumped full of water would be more stable in 40 knots and a more effective chop barrier.

Can't play the video?

You will have to Google it. That was just a screen shot.
Matt, I must have missed Peter's post. He gives a good description of how to make an effective barrier.

But with the 40 knot foil on the way will speed sailors of the future even need chop barriers?
www.facebook.com/165193790892844/videos/415043282456476/

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yoyo said..
You will have to Google it. That was just a screen shot.
Matt, I must have missed Peter's post. He gives a good description of how to make an effective barrier.

I did see it - I think I remember reading something about it back in the day of Windsurf magazine. It sounds like it might work, so I would have to defer to others on that.

It does appear it could only be used in shallow-water. The example provided was sitting in 2-3 ft of water and was elliptical - to have a 500m run (so at least +100m each end), that is a lot of martial.

My point was that it couldn't be done... it was the logistics of "just a simple bit of canvas" isn't actually that simple ( and thus my absurdity of logical-conclusion).

FWIW - there are a number of options available - none are "cheap" other than finding the ideal location. [ I can see that some local ranger/police not being particularly happy about seeing a km-long tarp attached to the sea-floor. ]

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Ian K said..
But with the 40 knot foil on the way will speed sailors of the future even need chop barriers?
www.facebook.com/165193790892844/videos/415043282456476/

In both dingy and big boat sailing foils have opened a new level of speed and in windsurfing Im sure it will become the same. I have no doubt that the "fast boys n girls" will take speed foiling to new records rapidly I'd imagine 50 knots will fall in the next few years. We mortals still "slap" and enjoy it, what I was imagining was a new kind of contest of speed. As I said something like the old weymouth speed week where Windsurfers (slappers or foilers) kites, skiffs, proas hell even wing SUP's could just compete subject to wind/depth/and proximity to an audience and therefore sponsors and media. For that reason a floating chop breaking sea wall would be needed I would have thought.
Super fast guys will go where they have to go in order to break absolute records, that's been proven, from the first canal in France in the 80's to Namibia now. I was answering a question how to get a local taste of that same speed buzz and maybe just maybe get some new hype going for the sport we love.

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mathew said..

yoyo said..
You will have to Google it. That was just a screen shot.
Matt, I must have missed Peter's post. He gives a good description of how to make an effective barrier.

I did see it - I think I remember reading something about it back in the day of Windsurf magazine. It sounds like it might work, so I would have to defer to others on that.

It does appear it could only be used in shallow-water. The example provided was sitting in 2-3 ft of water and was elliptical - to have a 500m run (so at least +100m each end), that is a lot of martial.

My point was that it couldn't be done... it was the logistics of "just a simple bit of canvas" isn't actually that simple ( and thus my absurdity of logical-conclusion).

FWIW - there are a number of options available - none are "cheap" other than finding the ideal location. [ I can see that some local ranger/police not being particularly happy about seeing a km-long tarp attached to the sea-floor. ]

I think the location is the issue yes, but money talks. Subject to environmental constraints obviously Im sure somewhere close to a populated area could be found.

Making Windsurfing Greece Great Again

europe.infowars.com/greece-planning-floating-barrier-system-to-defend-sea-border/

The "netted barrier" would reportedly be fitted with lights and stand some 20 inches above the sea."The Defense Ministry has invited private contractors to bid on supplying a 2.7-kilometer-long (1.7 miles) floating fence within three months, according to information available on a government procurement website Wednesday,

They're going to keep out illegal immigrants with a barrier 20 inches tall? Better not tell Donald Trump.

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Macroscien said..
The problem I could see: The most wind have Tasmania and SA / Perth, Kato place is also good at times.But channel should be in nice , tropical location to be in use whole year.I could see that the most wind in Queensland enjoy some small islands nearby. Surprisingly on my weekender backyard outback land ( near Dalby) wind today is excelling. Cattle are flying ( almost) So if there is flat land 300 km of the sea, but windy, the speed channel could be there.
Advantage is such that land inside is cheap and piece like 100 Ha should be enough to make Windsurfing park, speed run.

Why not make 2 down wind runs with a gybe after the 500m flag?

add a cable to drag your gear back upwind in another channel

"Making Australia Great again". maybe if we had some speed sailors that weren't retirees it would help?

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mr love said..
"Making Australia Great again". maybe if we had some speed sailors that weren't retirees it would help?

Hey! I resemble that remark!

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sailquik said..

mr love said..
"Making Australia Great again". maybe if we had some speed sailors that weren't retirees it would help?

Hey! I resemble that remark!

I am just jealous.