well bumping this topic up the list sure opened pandoras box, fortunately it wasnt my entry (coz i'd probly be feeling guilty a bit by now) but oceanblue's question that started it....lol, sorry oceanblue 
, but hey nothing wrong with healthy debate. anyway thanx to all the replies and advice, it all actually makes sense now with what i feel and see on the water. had a feeling i wasnt sheeeted in enough, compared to guys in some photos/videos etc. am not commiting all weight to the harness, shoulda guessed considering the 7.0 v8 feels like its ripping my arms off sometimes, and harness lines probly not right cosidering my back arm cops it the worst. oh well cant wait for the wind to pick up again and get out to try some stuff. now who said some thing about spinouts.... can they happen flat water blasting.... or do i not want to know
thanx again, you a helpfull bunch of peoples, like the guys ive run into when sailing
nitai, to give you an example.
i was at the train last week. blowing 20-30 knots.
one of the guys sailing there came in complaing of spinout issues. i looked at his board and noticed the mast in the front half of the track.
basically he had to much lift so the tail was leaving the water and inducing spinout by allowing air to travel down the fin. i suggested he move it to the back half. i didn't say how much but i suggested moving it none the less.
he did this and then went back out. when he came back in i asked him how it went.
his response was he was going a lot faster and was really lit up but the board was more controllable and didn't spin out.
another way to look at it is to think in terms of a race board with a centreboard.
going upwind you move the mast forward because the speed is less.
this provides greater area in contact with the water which increases lift and makes the rail bite assisting upwind ability.
going downwind you bring the mast back in the track because speed is higher.
this reduces wetted surface making you faster and helps avoid excessive lift making the control an issue due to tail walking.
these days on my short boards i just start with my mast in the back of the track on all of my boards and only move it forward if the nose is flying out of control. which rarely happens.
Thanks Gestalt, appreciate it.
What you've said sounds like it would relate to problems I'm having that is causing a LOT of frustration. I weigh 58kg and ride a 99L Mistral Shift. It's been great to learn on but there are 2 main issues I have:
1) Going upwind is a bitch. So I got a straighter 30cm fin which helps, still not great unless overpowered but then I suffer from what follows.
2) Too much lift and/or very sore shins. It seems that when I get going in decent wind 16-20kts there's a lot of lift under the board. What then happens is I have to struggle with ankle pressure (particularly the front foot) to try and keep the rail down which ends up with major shin strain. I did a 6km run for the first time recently (Manly to Wello) and when I got back I was F&%!ed. I have to do something about it because it really makes sailing not a lot of fun.
It was suggested that I get a smaller fin (smallest I have is a freemove 27cm) or move it forward to create less lift. Up until then I was thinking it was purely a board size to weight ratio.
I'd be grateful for any suggestions. I'm looking at getting a smaller board, but may not be able to until next season, so if there is a way to make my current board sailable I'd be happy.
it's the board to weight ratio for sure in 20 knots.
here is a review i found.
www.surfstore.co.uk/
still to make the most of your kit definately get a smaller fin 23cm or so, maybe lower your boom more to get more weight on the board and try the mast towards the back of the track. especially because the board has a heavy rocker.
once you've done this if the nose of the board is lifting out of control move the mast forward 2cm or so in the track.
also maybe you need way more downhaul.
but ultimately the board is way too big.
Wow.. you guys (Gestalt and Stribo) have such a different view to what I understood from all the stuff I'd read, watched, and been told!
Always interesting to see an alternative perspective explained!
no worries 555,
i guess there is more than one way to skin a cat.
i like to try lots of things out setup wise. some work for me some don't. i also find it very handy as you say hearing other views and talking to those around me.
one thing is for sure i am always trying stuff that's mentioned on seabreeze to see what effect it has.
