Frenchmans vs Sauvies

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Hi All,

Hope that you all can shed some light on this. The drive for the folks from vantucky to sauvies is about 1:15. The drive to Frenchmans from vantucky is about 15 minutes.

I get the feeling based on other posts that Frenchmans is way more patchy than Sauvies--in fact I know it is. I've kited both.

Did anyone NOT kite sauvies today and instead go to Frenchmans? How was it? Has anyone ever kited up to Savies from Frenchmans?

Thanks!

Couvedweller

ryan800 · Since 09 Dec 2007 64 Posts Seattle

I'm pretty sure I launched from Frenchman's today (don't know the name but sounds like it was where you described). As you're driving away from the 'couve along the river the road turns left then right and there's a beach right there. It's probably only 5 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Walked about .25 miles up the beach and launched on a nice big sandy beach with nobody around (kiters or otherwise). Wind was fine, maybe a little up and down but enough to ride on my 14m and 133 board. I launched between the first and second container ship if that helps, I think pretty close to where the willamette comes out. I tried to go upwind, but only made it about half a mile before it got too light. Went back down wind and it was still pretty good where I started at.

Point is, I'm not sure if I should be pimping this spot, but it seemed pretty nice to me and a few other kiters wouldn't hurt, although it was pretty cool to have the river to myself on a 90 degree day. Best part is it's only a 5 minute drive for me.

Nak · Thu May 15, 08 10:48 pm

Both of those spots are pretty well known but not widely kited. Frenchman's Bar is just a little further down the same road. It can be pretty nice there, but the wind is not that reliable there. if you get there, and there's wind, you're golden. Careful of the container ships, they throw a big wind shadow... I tried Downwinding from Sauvies to Frenchman's once, way too many wind shadows on the way. On the right day it's probably doable, but have a boat follow you! Very Happy

ryan800 · Since 09 Dec 2007 64 Posts Seattle

Just looked at a map, looks like I launched about half a mile below Frenchman's bar, kited to it, wind sucked, went back down to where I started. Not worth trying to get to the normal Sauvie launch, too far and too patchy of wind.

If you want, give me a call when you're headed there, after today I think I'm hooked on this kiting after work thing. I'll have to try kiting instead of working next... 206.313.5980.

-Ryan

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Hey man will call you tonight. Get off work @ 3:30... Bigggest I got is a 12m. Been thinking about picking up one of those cheap 20m kites just to have so I don't get skunked.

Anyone ride those? are they worth the 200-400 that they run for or will it just get super frustrating?

FunShui · Since 16 Jul 2006 146 Posts Really, really Stoked

ryan800 · Since 09 Dec 2007 64 Posts Seattle

I think 12 could be enough depending on the kite. I had the same thought as you when I was really new to kiting at the end of last summer. I went out and bought a 17m, 2005, 4-line, C kite for $280 cause I was sick of slogging with my 9.5 on light wind days. I used it once in marginal conditions but the problem is once you drop it, it stays dropped, and it's slow and boring to fly anyway.

Bought a 14m thruster next, which is a pretty fast kite for its size but probably has less grunt than some 12's out there. Since then, the 17 has become a $280 lesson in not buying crappy kites, I don't even think about putting it in my car now. I guess there's harder ways to learn that though. A bigger board will make more of a difference than a big slow kite. Also, I think practice has a lot to do with it. I was out during the winter in more wind than yesterday but couldn't make anything happen. All I can figure is i got better at sheeting the kite and staying forward on the board.

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri May 16, 08 11:40 am

My 14m T2 seems to be a damn good light wind weapon. Seemed to be out performing Tony's 17m machine. Light wind takes some really good kite control. You can't just sheet the hell out of it and hope for the best, sheeting out and in at the right times and nice slow turns so you don't loose your momenum.

I got my brand new T2 on the bay this year for $525...