The problem I have encountered is, once in the straps, the board tends to ride up on the fin, becomes uncontrollable and often resorts in crashing. I am around 65 to 70 kilos, riding a 110 litre Seatrend board (maybe 5 to 10 years old) usually with a 5.7 or 6.5 sail, with a 38 cm tuttle box fin. So I was wondering whether the fin is far too big for me which causes the board to become uncontrollable in the straps or is it simply a technique thing in which I just have to get used to it and have as little weight on the board as possible? Perhaps it's a combination of a large fin and bad technique?

The fin does sound a bit large, especially for a 5.7m sail. However, a cheap initial experiment would be to move the mast base forward on the mast track - this may help keep the nose of the board down.

yeh its a repost because my question wasn't answered. I went out the other day in 25 knots some gusts of 30 knots. I felt in more control out of the straps than in them. there wasnt too much chop either. ill move the mastbase forward next time I go out and see if that helps. thanks.

yeah it was a horribly over powered day. ill try moving my mast base forward more and going out in less wind. move the mast base forward will that let me get into the straps at slower speeds?

alec95 said...

yeh its a repost because my question wasn't answered. I went out the other day in 25 knots some gusts of 30 knots. I felt in more control out of the straps than in them. there wasnt too much chop either. ill move the mastbase forward next time I go out and see if that helps. thanks.

No wonder you were having trouble!
The board and fin are too big for those winds. You may be able to hold down the smaller sail but wind will get under the board and make it hard to manage. Moving your mast base forward will help a bit, and using a smaller fin will help but getting a smaller board is the key to being comfortable. The other thing is to keep the sail sheeted in - plenty of weight in the harness, this will increase your mast foot pressure and help to keep the nose of the board down.

The sad and expensive fact of windsurfing is that you really need 3 sets of gear to feel comfy in all conditions. One for high wind, one for average wind and one for light wind.

Windxtasy said...

The thing is to keep the sail sheeted in - plenty of weight in the harness, this will increase your mast foot pressure and help to keep the nose of the board down.

100% +1 Not doing this will end in tears Alec and yes your gear's a bit big for your weight in that wind, keep hammering at it mate

yeah if only I had the money I'd get a full new modern rig, but hey im sure everyone would love that. tomorrow is forecasting 20 knots so that should be perfect for my rig, perhaps a 6.5 but we'll see