Wednesday was pretty strong at Melville,around 15-30 knots averaging around 22-24. Some of the best conditions for sailing I've seen in a winter front at Melville.

The gusts were big,had to be close to 30 knots.

I did not bring my small board or sail with me,thinking it was not windy enough! 6.6m and my 97 Sonic was the smallest gear I had with me. Used a 34cm Techtronic Falcon.

Sailied for a good two hours but did not really enjoy it that much. In the gusts at 70 kg i was getting seriously overpowered. Found it hard to get in the straps after gybing the wind was that strong. Had I made the effort to bring my 5.5m and my 2012 87 wood Sonic reckon i would have had a much more enjoyable sail.

Lesson learned. Next time will not try to be a hero.

I"m the same weight and I'd choose a 4.2 sail and 80 liter board bump n jump board.

For me (100kg-194cm), gusty 15 to 30k means the NS Warp 7.8m. Depending on wind direction, it's either the iS107/38cm fin or SB W58 speedboard/30cm fin.

petermac33: "I did not bring my small board or sail with me, thinking it was not windy enough!" followed by,
"Lesson learned. Next time will not try to be a hero."

Actually there is a much better lesson there for any dedicated windsurfer, [bring everything, never predict the wind from home and try to pack accordingly.] Don't have the room? Then you need a better vehicle............ if you are dedicated.

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Mastbender said..
petermac33: "I did not bring my small board or sail with me, thinking it was not windy enough!"

Rookie Mistake

Sounds like you had a good work out ...hows the hands .?

105 rocket 5.5 or 6.0 .cheetah for me .and enjoy every 30 knot gust .
great spot Melville .

95 kgs .

"Best gear to use"
Mine

I'm with Mark62, 7.9m, 107 isonic, 40cm fin. Maybe a bit of downhaul.

sounds like pete just needs to harden up a bit.

you guys are having your fun, but i believe petemac44 has a valid question:
when you head out and average winds are under 25 knots, what do you rig
30 knot gusts may not be felt at the beach - whether you brought all the gear - or not
here winds alter quite a bit also
the good windsurfers here rig two(2) sails and have two(2) boards ready
sometimes they alter one piece and other times both
.
wish i was good enough to sail stuff under 6.3my smallest sail
then again 6.3 with 105 kilos is 40 kph /~22 knots winds (30-50 kph)
and that is my limit (about 25 knots)
after that it is time to watch you hot dogs

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joe windsurf said..
you guys are having your fun, but i believe petemac44 has a valid question:
when you head out and average winds are under 25 knots, what do you rig
30 knot gusts may not be felt at the beach - whether you brought all the gear - or not
here winds alter quite a bit also
the good windsurfers here rig two(2) sails and have two(2) boards ready
sometimes they alter one piece and other times both
.
wish i was good enough to sail stuff under 6.3my smallest sail
then again 6.3 with 105 kilos is 40 kph /~22 knots winds (30-50 kph)
and that is my limit (about 25 knots)
after that it is time to watch you hot dogs

What you really need is a small freeride/freestyle board that is fairly fast yet easy to control in high winds and a 5.0 or even smaller sail. No need to sit on the beach and watch the hot dogs its much better to ride around with them and watch, plus you get good high wind experience.

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Stuthepirate said..

Mastbender said..
petermac33: "I did not bring my small board or sail with me, thinking it was not windy enough!"

Rookie Mistake

Gold stu

The MSM forecast got you again Pete

Just go to the ocean, decades ago before internet and mobiles I used to sail the river in the fronts, id grovel in hardly any wind then see the dark clouds comming from the north west the wind would kick in for a bit then drop out, so frustrating. One winters day I thought I might try the ocean, it blew consistent 30kts, never sailed the river again,