Testing, Testing ... Tippy, Tippy

With the family BBQ top of the list today other activities would have to fit, be squeezed in before charcoal burn time, or be booted from the schedule.

In addition to charring some salmon, zucchini, and miscellaneous grillables, the days other offerings included some premium SUP conditions; a SUP board test; and the potential for a windy bike ride.

Loaded for the short 5 minute ride to the
Old Windsurfboard testing grounds.

The bike ride drew the shortest straw this time, but such is life. The SUP wind was offshore and the water was flat — near perfect conditions as the brisk but cooling NE wind was not really an issue in the sheltered confines of the bay. What it did mean was that to paddle in a straight line from NW to SE, was a matter of paddling on the leeward side of the board, since the wind doing the necessary directional work on the windward side. 

Old Technology new again — Top... a 12'6" Carbon Hybrid
Mistral Equipe XR in SUP mode. A wee bit tippy but doable.

I also was determined to see if the old school Mistral Equipe XR could work as a SUP platform, especially one that could support 280 lbs — me and a rather large and fidgety dog. (But the dog part of the test would have to wait for another day.)

First we'd see if it could support me, and paddle well—thus today's experiment.

I dragged its 12'6" hulk down from the  highest rung of the board rack set it on the grass, and power-hosed off the dirt, grime and filth from last year's garage roof replacement. Forget the surfwax clods stuck underneath from proximity to other surfboards—project for another day—this would be good for now.

The Equipe XR Carbon Hybrid was a lot heavier than I remembered. Was it "swing weight" of  have we taken on water?

Oops The centerboard gasket was shot but not a worry. I pushed off in the shallows and the glide factor was instant.

But getting up and staying there felt like a high-wire act. This bad boy is as tippy as heck. It's a thick narrow missile, designed to go fast under sail power, with the stability a sail and centerboard add.  But ... it works if you don't mind a little balancing effort. Forget about waves though -- this thing is barely 22" wide. It keeps you on your toes!

Just a short paddle today to Tom's Point to show Gordo the old Seaplane factory ramp and a few of the bay's sharp-edged features to avoid at all costs. Jagged iron posts, jagged rocks, rails, pilings, concrete blocks — you name it is careful as she goes over there.

Well the Equipe is a challenge to stay on — fell in twice — but I'd do it again on a flat day.

As for putting a large dog on there - fuhgeddaboudit — too unstable, but we'll see. Could be fun when the water cleans up. Maybe figure out how to attach some outriggers, and a dog-ramp?