Forums > Windsurfing General

2014 Falcon 122 tuning

Reply
Created by olskool > 9 months ago, 19 Sep 2019
olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 2:15PM
Thumbs Up

Hi crew! Im having issues with my 122 Falcon footstrap positions. Im 6'2" size 12 foot.
Cant seem to get the straps wide enough for my foot.
So the anti twist plates are as shown in pic. Flat side in. If i move them to inner holes will it give me more width?


Heres positions on board. Fronts i have kinda twisted front hole on outside n 2nd front on inners to get the width.
But it makes them an odd angle. Can get front foot in ok, but rears are a mission.

Any ideas?
Cheers Darkman.

choco
SA, 4175 posts
19 Sep 2019 3:11PM
Thumbs Up

Have you tried different straps?

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 3:43PM
Thumbs Up

^^ No.

choco
SA, 4175 posts
19 Sep 2019 3:42PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
olskool said..
^^ No.


I found the Dakine straps a lot more comfortable than the Fanatic straps if you can get hold of one to try it may help.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 5:49PM
Thumbs Up

Ive got some old Primos. Will check em out.

ka43
NSW, 3091 posts
19 Sep 2019 5:50PM
Thumbs Up

My feet are flat and wide. Ive always used the straps on their widest setting and enlarge them for a snug fit on all my Falcons. With wide feet it helps to use the farthest strap holes and adjust accordingly.
Hope this helps.

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 6:53PM
Thumbs Up

Cos I'm also big footed , when I make a board or reposition plugs , I have them 165 mm apart . Nothing worse than smashing a toe trying to get into a strap .
How far apart are your holes ?
Oh , as to your original question , if the straps are adjustable enough , the inboard holes should give you more room .

HotBodMon
NSW, 610 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:17PM
Thumbs Up

size 12 foot, jacqui lambies ideal man. From memory, the standard straps on the starboard evo's 2006ish had the 3 way velcro system suited for well endowed folk

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:35PM
Thumbs Up

Ka43 my falcon only has fore n aft adjustment. No adjustment across the board. Ive got my anti twist plates on outer set of holes on footstrap, flat side inwards.If i move them to inner set of holes on strap will it give me more space ? Obviously i will have to adjust strap to get it large enough to fit across the top of my foot properly.
The way im thinking is this, coz ive got them on outer holes on strap its effectively bunching most of the strap BETWEEN holes in board. Yeah? Or Nah?

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:36PM
Thumbs Up

I would make an event of it .
Step 1 , it's going to take a six pack , better still , barby work and nine beers .
Step 2 , drink 3 beers , always remember , 5 minutes thinking can save 5 hours work
Step 3 , position chair perfectly next to board .
Being an engineer and of German blood , ( and my father was a toolmaker ) , and so was I
I can not but look at it scientifically.
A dry run is needed.
A Phillips head tool kit is needed .
Can be a one person job , but , I've found , this kind of job is best a two person project .
We need the seated footee and the confidont , slash , mechanic .
Its all about adjustments , trial , n ,error , feeling and the vibe !
Id rekon nine beers , seafood barby and a couple tequilas should get you into the ballpark .

Simples .

yes.

im drinking

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:40PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
olskool said..
Ka43 my falcon only has fore n aft adjustment. No adjustment across the board. Ive got my anti twist plates on outer set of holes on footstrap, flat side inwards.If i move them to inner set of holes on strap will it give me more space ? Obviously i will have to adjust strap to get it large enough to fit across the top of my foot properly.
The way im thinking is this, coz ive got them on outer holes on strap its effectively bunching most of the strap BETWEEN holes in board. Yeah? Or Nah?


Yeah

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:42PM
Thumbs Up

Imax1, hole centres in board are 150mm apart, frontfoot. Id also like to move the rears inboard a few centimetres. But that means changing the 25mm thick deckpad. And a spot of glassing. Then replacing the deckpad.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:49PM
Thumbs Up

Imax1, drinking?? Never!!! Seafood BBQ sounds great.
But I cant be waiting until you migrate to get this done. Too many Northerlies will be missed.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:54PM
Thumbs Up

HotBodMon, yes some of us are born endowed that way. Probably why ive never married n prefer to play the field...

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 7:57PM
Thumbs Up

Absolutely do it . Being hefty and lanky I move my front straps inboard and forward 70 mm.
Back straps , same position , in 50 mm.
I do this to a stock board before getting it wet .
Its a tried and tested formula for an average skilled 6'1 feathery 120 kg pilot.
Got to be comfy, not bent and twisted .
No need to replace pad , just add to it .
Not that big a job and well worth it .

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 8:06PM
Thumbs Up

Imax1, the rear pad aint like most. Outboard thickness is normal. But just inside inner edge of strap its at least 25mm thick. So the ball of my foot sits on the normal thickness but my toes push on the 25mm thick part. Its also quite a way in from the rail or cutout at tail of board. You could easily extend it 50mm towards rail without any issue.

HotBodMon
NSW, 610 posts
19 Sep 2019 8:19PM
Thumbs Up

After kicking buckets and being decapitated by webs in the dark , I had to check - after some minor adjustments the 1L chem bottle just slides through ( no way your hoof is that big !! ) .There must be other straps of differing brands for olskool remedy surely



Tardy
5260 posts
19 Sep 2019 6:22PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
olskool said..
Imax1, hole centres in board are 150mm apart, frontfoot. Id also like to move the rears inboard a few centimetres. But that means changing the 25mm thick deckpad. And a spot of glassing. Then replacing the deckpad.


It looks simular to my 122 patrik ,they are slalom race boards ,so your riding positions it slightly different to a free rider ,it does take a bit of getting use to ,i wouldn't be drilling holes just yet ,mast track a bit more forward ,and your riding on the tail ,so a heavy dude s will have some trim issues ,but frig around with different straps for sure ,I have changed most of my straps on my other boards,but do find the Patriks real nice .
I found the Dakines very soft ,and if you've got a big foot they might be the go ..when wet they feel a little sloppy to me ,i like them firm ,
neilpryde pads are another good option .

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 8:31PM
Thumbs Up

You know where your feet want to go , it's where they are before you force then into the straps.
Angled pads , no problem .
Layer it up , flapper wheel on the angle grinder .
Ive found cut grooved textured pad offers the same grip as roughly sanded flat eva , I know , it doesn't make sense .
Moulded grip is super slippery . Unless you rough sand it .

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 8:58PM
Thumbs Up

Just experimented on front straps. So i put the anti twist plates in the inner set of holes on straps. Gave me the width between board mounting holes i needed, JUST. Strap is now bigger all over for the same velcro setting. Can slip my foot in deeper without being restricted on the sides of my feet.
Originally front strap was crushing my foot along the sides.
Check that rear strap position. OUTBOARD or what !!!
Hard to get foot in without getting foot blasted off by water flying by when planing.

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 9:05PM
Thumbs Up

That looks wrong and painful .
Its like watching a stick insect trying to get into a match box .

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 9:08PM
Thumbs Up

Hard to get rear foot in. Definately need to look where ya shovin it. Otherwise your heel gets blasted off the back of board.
Ahhh Wooops!! Im doin the splits..
Doesnt make for easy sailing.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
19 Sep 2019 9:12PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Imax1 said..
That looks wrong and painful .
Its like watching a stick insect trying to get into a match box .

I definately feel like a Rhino trying to balance on a toothpick when getting in the rear straps on this bloody thing.
Amazed i havnt killed myself yet...

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
19 Sep 2019 9:18PM
Thumbs Up

Your going to have to move those straps.
Even when in straps your going to need to move your weight around , being a small board .Your no prancing poodle.

Tardy
5260 posts
20 Sep 2019 3:38AM
Thumbs Up

Already looking like a pro rider

LeeD
3939 posts
20 Sep 2019 3:40AM
Thumbs Up

Front foot, turn your feet so heel is closer to back foot. 22.5" center to center is normal for slalom boards. Foot should be pointed much more forwards and much less towards center.
Backfoot, weight is in ball of foot to arch. Never weight your heel.
That allows the fin and mast base pressure to lift the windward rail so you can ride flat to barely leeward rail down.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
20 Sep 2019 6:47AM
Thumbs Up

LeeD, yeah i get what youre saying but thats where the width of strap works against me. Even in that position its quite tight on sides of my foot. Kinda feels like theyre being compressed. Used to get aching feet from sailing other boards setup like this.
My other boards now have the straps set up wide n low. I can move my foot sideways in strap. The low height sets the depth i can get my foot in.
The Falcon just doesnt have that ability with the factory strap.

mark62
509 posts
20 Sep 2019 5:26AM
Thumbs Up

I've also got size 12 feet, and couldn't get my feet into the Drake/starboard straps that come with the iSonics and speedboards. I tried loads of different brands and was still struggling. Eventually tried Dakine Contours, they work great for me and have fitted them to all my boards. They have less padding so the opening is much bigger.

I hope owe you can find a fix.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
20 Sep 2019 7:46AM
Thumbs Up

^^ Hey thanks for the heads up Mark62. Will see if i can find some to try.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
22 Sep 2019 1:14PM
Thumbs Up

So after more tweaking n adjusting. The rears fit perfectly, set in front hole n rear hole. Nice n easy to jam feet in. But fronts no matter what i do are still tight on sides of my feet. Holes in board are 150mm apart measured front hole to front hole. So ive set as 1st hole in outer screw n 2nd hole in inner screw. Makes the strap slightly more parallel to centreline. But gives me more width at 160mm screw to screw. Feels much better in the loungeroom. Yet to test ride.

LeeD
3939 posts
23 Sep 2019 1:14AM
Thumbs Up

Wasn't skipping a hole the 1st thing you tried?
I'm only size 11 but in winter wear 5mm booties and never go bare feet in San Francisco sailing.



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Windsurfing General


"2014 Falcon 122 tuning" started by olskool