Better port tack than starboard

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shwell
shwell
WA
15 posts
WA, 15 posts
3 Feb 2006 4:51pm
Hello, I'm a newbie and have just got over the spacko stage. Am now able to handle 10 - 15 knots.

But i've discovered a strange thing. I have good control on a port tack but suck badly on starboard. On starboard, it feels as tho i'm sailing backwards, very weird.

Has anyone gone thru this stage, are their any tips so I can feel balanced?

Shwell.
shwell
shwell
WA
15 posts
WA, 15 posts
3 Feb 2006 4:56pm
Sorry guys, wrong thread, will try to take it to general.
ju_724
ju_724
231 posts
231 posts
3 Feb 2006 6:56pm
my starboard tack jumps are woefull

you're probably right handed? And right foot in the back strap feels better and more controlable than left foot??

practice, practice, practice it will start to get better, but never feel the same as port.
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12887 posts
WA, 12887 posts
3 Feb 2006 9:20pm
It probably is a "handed" issue, but there's 2 possible other causes.
If your in the harness, your harness lines may be out on you starboard side. The other thing is your sailing line you may be going more downwind on the port tack and more upwind on starboard.
drjukka
drjukka
QLD
258 posts
QLD, 258 posts
4 Feb 2006 9:51am
Sounds really dumb, but check to make sure you boom extension is equal length on both sides.

- J

passin_wind
passin_wind
WA
23 posts
WA, 23 posts
4 Feb 2006 10:14am
Think about if you a natural footer or a goofy footer. i.e which leg goes forward when you try to skateboard or surf. This will be the direction which you will have better balance and feel more comfortable.
shwell
shwell
WA
15 posts
WA, 15 posts
4 Feb 2006 11:07am
quote:
Originally posted by passin_wind

Think about if you a natural footer or a goofy footer. i.e which leg goes forward when you try to skateboard or surf. This will be the direction which you will have better balance and feel more comfortable.



Yeah, that's it. Bit a spew that it won't feel good both ways
drjukka
drjukka
QLD
258 posts
QLD, 258 posts
4 Feb 2006 3:05pm
shwell,

I'm a goofy footer and to be perfectly honest feel no difference whether I'm on a starboard or port tack - I can jump just as well on either tack.

A bit of perserverance is all that is required if your natural 'footedness' is causing this problem.

- J
shwell
shwell
WA
15 posts
WA, 15 posts
4 Feb 2006 2:44pm
quote:
Originally posted by drjukka

shwell,

I'm a goofy footer and to be perfectly honest feel no difference whether I'm on a starboard or port tack - I can jump just as well on either tack.

A bit of perserverance is all that is required if your natural 'footedness' is causing this problem.


Hey, you're a lucky fella. The difference between tacks for me is huge, on a port tack I can handle 20 knots no problemo, on starboard can only handle 10. It's a bit scary, if in a pocket of gusts, i can't start on starboard.

But windsurfing kicks ass, i only hope that perseverance will prevail!
passin_wind
passin_wind
WA
23 posts
WA, 23 posts
4 Feb 2006 9:59pm
I agree that although you may sail better on one tack because of better balance, practice and perserverance can overcome this.

I am a natural footer but ironically I jump much better goofy footed. Why... because I jump a lot more often in that direction.
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12887 posts
WA, 12887 posts
4 Feb 2006 10:02pm

Ha, can tell you're on the east coast, I'm on the west and it's the exact reverse for me
NotWal
NotWal
QLD
7436 posts
QLD, 7436 posts
5 Feb 2006 1:36am
We're all somewhat laterally biased. It seems to me to be mostly related to our regular sailing site. Where I sail its starboard tack out in a southeaster and when a noreaster blows we mostly sail around the other side so its still starboard tack out. I didn't realise this for some years and I've developed a tolerable quick tack to port because I always do it on the inside but my tack to starboard is woeful because I do it in the bumps on the outside. I have a similar bias with my jumping - starboard tack is ok, port is really awkward.
Now I try to ensure I give equal time to all moves on each tack.
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