formula technique

Enable JavaScript to get the best experience.

Create new topic

Search Subscribed Active Create new topic

> 10 years ago

General Gps & Speed Waves Foiling Gear Reviews Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS

Gestalt

QLD

14965 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14965 posts

24 Jan 2007 1:05am

wondering if anyone has any tips for sailing the big boards in steep chop and moderate winds.

i am finding that when reaching in steep chop/swell that when the board starts to get airbourne i end up standing more upright. this then results with me taking pressure of the fin so i loose control of the boards locked in feeling.

the result is that as the board returns to the water the board either rails to windward or takes off on a broadreach leaving me then getting pulled forward by the rig as the board slows. and providing that very scary catapult feeling.

any tips appreciated.

cheers.

Brett Morris

NSW

1205 posts

Brett Morris

NSW, 1205 posts

24 Jan 2007 1:05pm

Formula boards don't like reaching in chop too much. All you can do is make your harness lines very long and muscle the board to keep it on the water. Not very helpful, or fun....good luck.

4XL

VIC

222 posts

4XL

VIC, 222 posts

24 Jan 2007 1:39pm

all that i can suggest is to read the conditions and use your legs/knees as shock absorbers (bend as you go over the swell). Long harness lines are good, sheeting in hard and dig those heels in helps. Enjoy the thrill. Formula on swell and chop is different but as long as you keep that windward rail down; sit down in the harness should help stop that movement to an upright position and hang on.

hope this helps

mathew

QLD

2172 posts

mathew

QLD, 2172 posts

24 Jan 2007 4:24pm

You could try the use of a "chicken strap" (ie: a strap on the centerline of the board). Or you could try a smaller fin, say 60cm or less even.

As others said, formula boards dont work when "reaching" - they are meant to point high upwind or deep downwind.

Gestalt

QLD

14965 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14965 posts

25 Jan 2007 11:19pm

hi guys, thanks for all the tips they are very appreciated.

i have been working hard at taming the beast in rough waters. i don't think any other form of windsurfing beats the rush of formula sailing when totally on the edge. keeps me coming back for more. can see that the boards weren't designed for reaching but it's fun trying none the less

i'll definately lengthen the harness lines next time. i've tried the shorter fins (60cm) and don't much like them, board tends to slide out a bit and won't point, so i am sticking with the 70cm length.

AUS120 was also kind enough to give me a fist full of ideas as well. on stance, mast position, harness line setup etc. so i got a lot to try out now.

once again thanks for thew help.

i just noticed that the formula speed record on gps is now 30+ knots. well done to the person that cracked it.

www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx

junior freestyle

QLD

546 posts

junior freestyle

QLD, 546 posts

26 Jan 2007 10:13am

Yer its one of the physically hardest sports to do especially in 20 or even 30 knots.

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

26 Jan 2007 1:08pm

quote:
Originally posted by Gestalt

i have been working hard at taming the beast in rough waters. i don't think any other form of windsurfing beats the rush of formula sailing when totally on the edge. keeps me coming back for more. can see that the boards weren't designed for reaching but it's fun trying none the less

You kidding right, maybe we just need to get you out of first gear on the speed course.

Personally I think you are running too big fin for sail size, what size sean using when he on equivalent sail size? Actually dont ask him he's one of those ultra talented few that could win sailing with a bedsheet

Gestalt

QLD

14965 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14965 posts

27 Jan 2007 12:06am

mk, there comes a point in all windsurfers lives where they see the light and trade in the small gear for the big stuff.

just ask junior

i don't agree with the old fin versus sail size thing, i believe it is more to do with fin versus tail width. from my experience, formula boards, no matter what size sail just aren't right with a small fin. pete uses his 7m Kult on his formula board with a 60cm fin in the ocean.

i've used the board and fin with both 10.5m and 8.5m sails. no probs with either. only probs i have had is with the 8.5 and 60cm fin. now that doesn't feel so good to me. but pete, who is a lightweight doesn't mind it so much.

so when you coming sailing again, we are starting to miss you! vando even thinks you don't love him anymore. he is looking very handsome these days in his matching outfit with pierre.

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

27 Jan 2007 11:20am

I still sail mate- i'm in top secret location, sometimes you improve more on you're own than sailing with the crowd. Ever since vando cheated on me with pierre things will never be the same between us, the trust is gone

I don't discredit tail width leverage over a fin, however I believe mast foot pressure is more successful at holding down big fins than body weight ever does.

JF changed for a reason, I couldn't justify spending fortune on something I plane in 1 or 2 knots less wind with- he can justify as that is the racing class he wants to do.

Gestalt

QLD

14965 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14965 posts

27 Jan 2007 11:36am

yep, that's one of the problems sean highlighted. i will be moving the rig forward in the track from now on when the wind blows and the surface bumps.

up until now i've been leaving the rig in the back of the track.

so, are you sailing with the kiters these days?

SurfConnect

QLD

1674 posts

SurfConnect

QLD, 1674 posts

27 Jan 2007 12:18pm

MK7 is considering coming for a bag sess..... dats y he is hiding lol

quote:
Originally posted by Gestalt

mk, there comes a point in all windsurfers lives where they see the light and trade in the small gear for the big stuff.

just ask junior

i don't agree with the old fin versus sail size thing, i believe it is more to do with fin versus tail width. from my experience, formula boards, no matter what size sail just aren't right with a small fin. pete uses his 7m Kult on his formula board with a 60cm fin in the ocean.

i've used the board and fin with both 10.5m and 8.5m sails. no probs with either. only probs i have had is with the 8.5 and 60cm fin. now that doesn't feel so good to me. but pete, who is a lightweight doesn't mind it so much.

so when you coming sailing again, we are starting to miss you! vando even thinks you don't love him anymore. he is looking very handsome these days in his matching outfit with pierre.

SurfConnect

QLD

1674 posts

SurfConnect

QLD, 1674 posts

27 Jan 2007 12:19pm

I so miss my formula board junior freeride

quote:
Originally posted by Gestalt

mk, there comes a point in all windsurfers lives where they see the light and trade in the small gear for the big stuff.

just ask junior

i don't agree with the old fin versus sail size thing, i believe it is more to do with fin versus tail width. from my experience, formula boards, no matter what size sail just aren't right with a small fin. pete uses his 7m Kult on his formula board with a 60cm fin in the ocean.

i've used the board and fin with both 10.5m and 8.5m sails. no probs with either. only probs i have had is with the 8.5 and 60cm fin. now that doesn't feel so good to me. but pete, who is a lightweight doesn't mind it so much.

so when you coming sailing again, we are starting to miss you! vando even thinks you don't love him anymore. he is looking very handsome these days in his matching outfit with pierre.

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

27 Jan 2007 3:07pm

ssssh padi, the first vando was gonna know was the 40knot gps track

Kiting must be enjoyable that you miss formula boards hey padi

Gestalt

QLD

14965 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14965 posts

27 Jan 2007 8:46pm

hi guys, i took the formula kit out today and tried everything that has been mentioned.

i lengthend the lines, moved the rig forward an inch and presto!

in the stronger gusts the board would normally start to tail walk. not anymore. it just kept tracking.......

also the longer lines really helped me going to windward, i could just lean out let the rig power me along without my usual fight.

i had to grab the chicken strap in a few downwind runs and right when i expected the board to satart to walk when reaching it just locked in and kept tracking. things felt a lot more solid.

it was a very tiring session today. wind went from 5 knots to 20 knots in a matter of seconds. i was sailing in an offshore wind location and copped some really gusty conditions as the wind came over the land. that menat lots of out of harness work. my back hurts.

can't wait for tomorrow, hopefully it is a little more choppier and with the wind expected onshore it won't be as gusty. today i didn't go in conditions as rough as the other day that prompted the questions but everything feels better so i am hoping it will also help me in the rough stuff.

cheers for all the tips.

Please Register, or first...

Topics Reply