Dawn patrolled WPB this morning.
The tide was super low - and where I normally would have gone to Hickam, I just didn't feel like that drive this morning.
Light winds and fun sized waves rounded out the conditions.
And today's objective was to test drive Bill's Amos Cruzer Trench Board. At 34 liters, this is definitely a sinker for me. And the drive unit when placed made the balance rear biased. But I did manage to get the setup paddled out to a deep enough spot.
I lined up the foil/mast/drive unit at the same mark where Bill lines his Code 980 at. This point balanced the foil out for the Enduro 900 also.
This board did the following:
1. Made maneuvering the Enduro 900 even better - closer distance between rear foot and the mast
2. Made taking off on a sinker easier - reduced form drag from recessing the drive unit
I felt for a sinker, it was not difficult to start. I could "pop tart" start it pretty effectively if there was a pocket forming on an incoming wave. But if I had to match speed, it seemed to need more power - I think that is a function of the wing screws I had on.
The crew was out in force. Andrew, Makana, Rick, Noel, Dennis, Derek (F One foiler), Mark, Maile, and a couple of others. Erik Eck also showed up all the way from Kailua.
Takeoff was pretty much from the same spot where we wing (and sometimes get caught in lulls and chop).
14 solid rides with a couple of missed takeoffs.
So this board concept is interesting and confirms that I should build one to get better familiar with it's use and benefits.
W:42/FD:74/PW:7/S:4
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