Gorge.

bighalsey · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 116

O.K. Im in that kind of situation which I have found myself many times in the past. I havent left New England in over two years and am itching for an adventure. (If you dont understand the predicament, you should reread Melvilles Moby Dicks beginning.) I put a lot into the station wagon I bought last fall and would certainly be tempted to do another cross-continental drive. (I stopped counting after 20.) Heres where I am looking for advice. Ive got a Maui Force 87 liter which may be too difficult for me, but I have sailed it. I couldnt pack much more than that and my travel effects. I would expect to pick up a rig with a sail when I arrived in the gorge. What kind of wetsuit type gear would I need? Can I leave my 3/4 behind? Will I see enough 35 m.p.h. winds to keep the Force afloat? Should I bring a longer board?

LeeD · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 1261

When are you going?
Right now, still very cold with little runoff, inconsistent winds so far this year. Low rainfall.
Mid June can still be 48 degree waters, or can become 2mm shortsleeve, long leg weather.
35mph blows usually last maybe 2 days out of a week, with some periods of 13-25mph lasting as long as 7 days. By car, bring board for above winds AND something for the blasts. Meaning, bring your 115liter+ board for sure, along with sails from 4.0 to 7. 0 to cover 90% of your sailing needs.
Fresh water dont float, you big guy, dont get trapped into too small EQ.

carl · Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2439 Location: SF bay area

BigH,
Youre thinking so one dimentional. Theres lots of lakes and theres sure to be wind somewhere along the way to the gorge. I would bring everything. Im sure they make racks for the wagon. If its blowing 20 in Michigan or Kansas, youll be missing great sessions, maybe better than the gorge.

LeeD · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 1261

As an aside, one year, maybe 88, I drove up to the Gorge (only 13 hours for us) with 6 windsurf boards, one surfboard for the coast, over 15 sails, over 3 booms and over 6 masts, my camping gear, stuff for 3 weeks stay, in a Honda Civic Hatchback!
Not a whole lotta extra room for sure, but ya gotta take enough gear to cover all your windsurfing needs first and foremost.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 11473

Your station wagon is FILLED? Then empty it, put all your WSing gear in it, put whatever else will fit, and hit the road. In a trip that long youll encounter every kind of wind imaginable. Do NOT drive past wind, as there are no guarantees youll catch strong wind in the Gorge. 87 liters is too much board for 35 mph wind; youll want to rent something smaller if it really gets windy. The rubber depends on when you come.
Mike \m/

bighalsey · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 116

Its hard to believe that you put all that in a Civic, but I once owned an Olds Firenza (sub-compact) hatch. I fit an amazing amount of stuff in it. I actually did take it to Ca. from Boston. However, it was vandalized by a smash-and-grab theft in Carona. Thats why I am reluctant to take a lot of gear on a trans-continental trip. Besides I have the wagon fitted with a futon for sleeping. To answer your question (and I appreciate your response), I am never sure when or if I will go as often it is an emotional decision. One of the times I headed for Fla. in the fall, I packed all the gear but a board. I figured that a long board would be easy to pick up used there. I found that long boards carry more value than short in Fla. (Is there any wonder why?) Consequently I could only afford to pick up a well used 105 liter board.

bighalsey · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 116

You guys dont seem to know the secrets of long distance land travel. You have to set a destination and ignore the temptations to stop along the way. Every delay can be a potential shipwreck to your plans. Its easy when you book a flight with destination, but much harder when you pilot your own vehicle. I stopped counting after 30 trips across the plains (air, bus, hitch, auto). Anyone else would be married to some gal in Nebraska with a farm and big family after the first.

LeeD · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 1261

Theres simply no excuse for NOT bring at least two windsurfboards and 5 sails. All on a rack atop, you can secure it during drives by laying two plywood 2x8s over the sails, masts and booms, strapped down normally. All that takes up just one side of the rack, you have the other for other stuff.

carl · Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2439 Location: SF bay area

Yeeup,,,,, you could nail on some plywood sides and write RIP with skull and X-bones on it and it would look like youre carrying a coffin, nobody will mess with it!
BigH,
Finding good wind in Nebraska would certainly be better than sitting a week in the gorge waiting for the wind. Wind doesnt always follow your plans.
Someday you may even realize that a good wife is hard to find too. Im sure NB has some of those too.

hilton08 · Joined: 02 Apr 2000 Posts: 316

Two weeks in the Gorge can give you as much practice time on the small board as you might get all year at home. The 87 liters should be fine for a typical day at the more intermediate sites with 4.5-5.5 sails. Yes, you might be blown off the water some days, but you can always go to another spot or wait for the wind to back off. Yes, you may need a 6.5 and bigger board some days (or a mountain bike), but there is no excuse to be bored. Bring as many toys as you can, and some cash to rent the rest.
The water is up to 55 degrees, so you can sail in a 4/3 fullsuit with no booties, hood or gloves already. Ive even seen people in their 3/2 Shortsleeve suits on the warmer days this spring. The 3/2 should be fine by June, but bring the 4/3 for the Oregon coast year-round.