Last time on the 9.0?

I’ll admit that I haven’t really enjoyed the my Neil Pryde 9.0 V8 the last few times I’ve used it. With the Ray 122 I find it hard to tack to the windline and get upwind. And when I do get it going, it is still hard to get upwind.

It also takes a huge amount of space in the windsurf locker. So I was planning on just de-rigging it. But with the 12-15 knot SSE winds I decided to give it one last try…

I tacked upwind and only fell in once before getting going. The water was significantly clearer and colder - down to 21c after the 2 days of north wind. I got a gust and started heading out past Bigsby island. The seat harness helped a lot but I still struggled to get any significant upwind ground. How did I use 9.0 NP V8s for upwind racing in the HIHO events?

After a few nice planing runs I was tacking and lost my balance. This time I landed on the sail and put my knee through the 2nd lowest panel. DOH. I did manage to get planing again on my way back in so the damage wasn’t extensive but still solidified my decision to pack it up for at least the balance of this season. I’m guessing it was a 2004? vintage sail so it doesn’t really owe me anything - I think I’ve had around 30 sessions on it in the 10 years since I’ve been keeping this blog and likely the same number in the first 6 years I had it? Before foiling it was my go to solution for 12-15 knot days.

The 9.0 after my knee went through the sail.

Nice long runs with the 9.0

Not really as fast as I used to go with the 9.0
I once hit 50 km/h with that sail.

Later I headed out with the 27 year old NP 6.5 V6 on the Techno with the 76 cm foil. That is so much easier. Easier to carry, uphaul and ride. I just didn’t cover the same distance as the speed is lower.

Two nice jibes in there…

Another two nice jibes

Chris got a bit of video of my foil run past the island… Thanks Chris!

I fixed the 9.0 with my last roll of sail tape and put it away. I will think about whether I replace it at all. Maybe find something else that needs a 490 mast and huge carbon boom?

Before and after the repair…

More wind predicted for tomorrow!