Hi - just experimenting with my 2000 foil in Naish 110..first proper go i simply put it in the middle...seemed to give too much lift.
Next time ive moved it 3/4 back, and seems much better & controlled...im 90kg.

i guess the strategy should be to have sufficient lift to get up with not too much effort, but not so over winged.

So Question - do you move the mast position in the box depending on wind strength, inflatable wing size or foil wing volume / size...or keep always in the same place regardelss?

Thanks once more
Northy

I move my feet all over the place.

I'm 100kg and with my JL i have the foil all the way forward. Not having to move my feet when I catch a wave. With my last board I had it closer to the center of the box so that not having to move from paddling to catching a wave. I don't really find it matters so much winging.

It's a tough question , front or back in your box where all brands have boxes in different positions from the tail . But on my board Fanatic 6-3 Sky Sup I always move position pending the size of the foil wing I use , wind speed & whether I'm downwinding or foiling in calm water . If it's really blowing hard and I'm downwinding I'll put a smaller foil on and move my mast back in the tracks to give me better chance of recovering on a loaded over foil charging downwind . For calm water lower wind I'll have a larger foil on and bump the mast forward in the tracks for an easier start. Simply shifting your feet is not enough.
I also foil with a hex key in my pocket and if I'm getting repeatedly launched , I'll adjust on the water and bump the mast back , whether I'm on a prone , Sup or wingding .

Pasquales said..
Good summary and helpful knowing how to plan for different conditions. Recently had my large foil on a gusty day. I moved it almost to the front. Couldn't get the foil board to stop bucking. With my back foot over the mast, it kept happening no matter how forward my front foot was. Yesterday in lite winds, I didn't have it forward far enough and kept stalling. Seems like minor adjustments can make or break a session.

Mast position is not Center of Pressure position (balance point).This is determined by the front wing.Very roughly 1/3 of the chord measured from leading edge.

Different brands will have different distances from mast to front wing,and even within the same brand center of pressure will shift with different sized front wings.

It would be nice if foils came with a center of pressure mark, even if it was not 100% accurate it would put us in the ballpark for the first ride.