Indian summer and a November canoe sail

On Sunday the temperature was predicted to be in the seventies and the wind from the south at 10-13 mph. A last chance to pull out the sailing canoes and head to Canandaigua Lake. It was pretty light when I arrived but I rigged and was almost ready to go when Ron and Wendi arrived. The first hour was a slow ghost to the south for maybe a mile and then a down wind drift with the two canoes and Wendi's kayak in between while we munched chips, salsa, dried apples and walnut bread. Thanks for the snacks Wendi. When we got back to the north end the wind started picking up and as Wendi paddled in to head home Ron and I sailed for another couple hours, till dusk and made it quickly from the east side and back and a mile or more south again. As the wind died again at dusk we drifted downwind with smiles on our faces to the beach. 

There she blows!!!

To windy to hang glide? Then pursue other wind related sports.
Today the wind was blowing hard with gusts to 36 mph at Canandaigua, I met Ron at CMac parking and we tore it up while I racked up seven plus miles and a max speed of 21 mph. At 4 pm it started dropping off so we headed to Kershaw park to test my new sailing canoe. Well not exactly new, almost entirely made of scrounged and reused materials. The Wenona canoe I have had for close to 30 years, the sail was sewn from an old hang glider sail, the mast is an old leading edge from a HG, the yard and boom are temporary flag poles for a grand opening that never got used and were going to scrap. The only new parts are the pulleys, ropes, cleats and other assorted hardware.

The test was a success, it worked quite well and other than my lack of sailing skills resulting in me running over a couple RC sailboats it all went well. Ron tried it first as the wind was a little brisk for me to try when we first got there and then I took over when the wind dropped off. Ron set up his boat and we sailed till sunset. Here are a few pics of the maiden voyage. Oh yeah and no RC sailboats were injured in the test!!

Another great day at Southwick

The forecast called for 15-21knots out of the west for Sunday, there was a chance of showers and t-storms but not enough to worry about. It turned out to be almost as good as predicted with a stiff west wind and threats of rain but nothing where we were. There were 2 kite buggies, myself and Bobalooie, Ron with his land sailor and 4 kite boarders all tearing it up in the awesome conditions. Here is a link to a video on youtube from Sunday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCJIAy50dyg&feature=plcp

Kiting Southwick State Park

The wind was up and predicted to be W so I felt the need to take the kites and the buggy and head for the beach. It was a little more south crossed than predicted but still doable. you could cruise N but had to work hard to make and progress south. Bob was there already laying down tracks and we were soon joined by a couple kite boarders and later by two more that were up on North pond. As the wind tapered off the kite boarders had to quit but everyone got to try the buggy using Bob M's 5m NPW9. Great amount of fun was had by all.

Sailing Hemlock Lake

Ron has been working on a sailing canoe for a couple years and finally got to the point where it was ready enough for the maiden voyage. He was reluctant at first because of a long week at work but after a little convincing he decided to go. I was safety kayak in case of mishaps but as it turned out I was unneeded. It was real light when we arrived and the boat functioned flawlessly. It was a good confidence booster for Ron in his design and the boats capability. He tacked back and forth across the lake and after a couple hours let me take it for a cruise. Right after I got in the wind picked up and I was soon dragging Ron around in the kayak. We switched boat and spent the rest of the evening cruising the lake dragging me around in the kayak. Great fun, I have to build me one of those now!!! 

Flying with the Gooney Bird

      The C-47, designated W7, was a paratrooper transport during D day. It has been completely restored and is in great flying condition. With two 1000 hp engines it has some power and makes some cool noise as it taxis by and accelerates down the runway. What a thrill to be flying around such historic aircraft.  
     The first 4 pictures are of the Gooney Bird taxiing and taking off while we were setting up. The next is of Matt just after he touched down to a premo landing and the last is of Mark coming in to land with the Remax balloon landing behind him.
    There were a few of us out, Linda, Bill V., Joe, Alex, Matt and myself. Linda caught the only thermal on a day that was predicted to be awesome. Everyone else sledded in the to smooth air mass that surrounded the field. Alex did great on his Mark IV and Matt flew his Sport 2 for the first time and did great. I had a butter smooth tow and a nice long sled ride down to a no step landing.  

Flights: 1
Airtime: 23 min
Max altitude: 4100'
Fun factor: 9

   Geneseo Airport has turned out to be a great place to fly. Although the conditions did not turn out to be soarable, Todd had the flight of the day at 39 minutes, there were lots of hang glider pilots out and a couple of other forms of aviation late in the evening. The first picture is of Mark getting ready to tow with the Remax balloon behind him, the last is of Marlin launching moments later and the second pic is of the balloon launching, Katrin landing(look closely at the sun) and a high end RC plane taxiing in after a flight.
  I got one tow to 3000' and found nothing to keep me up.

flights: 1
airtime: 17min
fun factor: 9