Hey all,
I started windsurfing last summer on Watts Bar Lake and my progress has been slow because in my area there was no instruction available, no other sailborders to get tips from, and my antique gear is an original Windsurfer brand board with 5.2 dacron rig. I recently bought an old Bic longboard mostly because it came with a harness with lines, and two slightly more modern sails (5.7 + 4.5), but I broke the boom head the second day out. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement boom head for a 90 degree 1 1/4" aluminum boom? So far all I've found is an online store in The UK, and I doubt if they'd ship here.
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Slim,
WindSense, Atlanta's Windsurfing Shop (I think you're in Tennessee,) sells NEW and Used Gear AND has the dollar box which does have some older boom heads. Send me the link to the item you found in the UK or send me a picture and I'll see if I have something to help you.
gene@windsensewindsurfing.com
To help your learning curve, try to find some other sailors to sail with, even if you have to drive some. Also, more modern equipment also helps. Did I mention WindSense sells NEW and Used gear? Check out the current inventory of used gear at -
http://www.windsensewindsurfing.com/consignment.html
Let me know if I can help you.
Gene
770-967-0104/404-735-4944
Gene Mathis
This is probably what you are looking for:
http://www.windance.com/default.asp?windance~shownewitem~CH_222
"Retrofits all 1 1/4" US and 32mm imported booms with 90 degree bend."
Heck, I think I have one laying around some where...
Gene,
I've been sailing on the TN River about halfway between Chattanooga and Knoxville. Some friends told me they saw someone on a windsurf board about 20 miles up river and from their description it sounded like he is a beginner too. The next weekend we have wind I'll go sailing up there and maybe it'll draw him out. My compulsion to visit your Windsense shop will probably outweigh fuel cost after more time on the water (and broken parts).
Thanks Nitrogyber you linked to exactly the part I need. I'd found the windance main page in earlier searches, don't know how I overlooked the part though.
Thanks to everyone, you seem like a fine bunch there around Atlanta. As far as I'm concerned you can have all the water you need from the TN river. Maybe we can work out a trade? Water for beer?
Hey Slim,
There are a few of us in Chattanooga that sail on Chickamauga. Come on down next time it blows if you feel like a drive. We're usually at the Chickamauga Dam boat ramp or Harrison Bat State Park depending on wind direction.
Rick
Make that Harrison Bay State Park.
The cost of a modern rig is quickly offset by the pleasure it provides. If you are stoked on old stuff, you will really be stoked on new stuff!!! By the way, once you plane, you don't get out of this alive!! WELCOME!
I have sailed at Booker T. Washington Park just above the dam. I thought it was a great set-up for SW wind. The elevation of the dam and the squeeze of the terrain right there seemed to make it blow harder than anyplace around.
You're right about Booker T on SW, we do sail there occasionally. But if there's any chance it's going to switch more south it can be really hard to get back in because of the wind shadow once it goes south. That's why we usually sail the psycho chop at Harrison Bay on anything south.
Another spot you guys might consider trying once in a while is the lake in Nashville. I went there once and sailed with (now deceased) Jerry McEwen. Its a very nice spot and quite good on a SW wind, as I recall. I know its a bit of a drive from Chattanooga, but its on the south side of Nashville.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Lowcountry, you are so right. Once on plane there's no going back to the years BCE (board couldn't escape) displacement speed.
My windsurfer brand board makes a weird audible hum when reaching planing speed. The rig, board and everthing resonates like a hollow body guitar.
Is this bad? I mean, is my fin about to break? I hope not because its kinda like a warning beeper,,, prepare for warp speed!
Reading posts about choosing areas to sail from according to wind direction makes me think I might be the only one who launches their sailboard from a motorboat.
Is this so? Does anyone haul their board in a boat? Longboards and one-piece masts fit so neatly in my 16' trailered boat that it just seemed natural.
Thanks for the invite Rick. Sounds like a grand time. I'd be driving down rt 27, so I'll look for a public ramp on that side to launch my boat, then motor across. I could anchor my boat with cooler of,,, ahem 'cold refeshments' close to the sailing. Maybe you could post to the 'who's going today' forum when you're planning to sail there?
That sound is your fin. It is probably lose. Be sure it is tight or it might just vist the bottom of the lake.
PeelSkid