Have got a 2006 JP FSW 85 to use as my strong wind freeride board. Currently have front & rear straps screwed into middle holes but feels like it is setup for turning rather than for freeride blasting back and forth, which is what I use the board for 100% of the time. Would moving all straps back to the rear holes make the board more suitable for blasting, or does this practice only work on more speed oriented freeride or slalom boards?
Have a play with the settings. It's an individual thing. I have my straps forward (including my freerace board). JP calls this the 'beginner position', but I get most out of the board with this setting. It works for me 
i've never used outboard straps other than on slalom / race boards
i've found most freestylewave or dedicated freestyle boards that ive used plane earlier with the foot straps set for a wide stance (inboard) and give greater control in waves and strong winds - front straps all the way forward, and back strap maybe just one set of holes forward of the most rear setting
ive also found that putting the mast base as far to the rear of the mast track as possible helps early planing on light wind days.
I have found on the 4 or 5 FSW's I have used, if you are really well powered and planing fast on the standard fin I always want to slide my foot out of the strap a bit to increase lateral loading.
Thus I say outboard straps ....
Agree with Haircut re: mast base pozzie, every waveboard or FSW I have used in last few years is best with base in the rear third, makes no sense as you think the box would be positioned right ??? :/
^i'm the same as mark - half the time i sail around with just the tips of my toes in the rear footstrap, particularly when heading up wind
Select to expand quoteHaircut said..
i've never used outboard straps other than on slalom / race boards
i've found most freestylewave or dedicated freestyle boards that ive used plane earlier with the foot straps set for a wide stance (inboard) and give greater control in waves and strong winds - front straps all the way forward, and back strap maybe just one set of holes forward of the most rear setting
ive also found that putting the mast base as far to the rear of the mast track as possible helps early planing on light wind days.
Actually, my JP FSW only has inboard strap options.
My question was more about whether others have had any success moving the straps backwards or forwards to make a FSW board more freeride blasting oriented (I mostly use a 28cm freeride fin and 5.3/5.9 freeride sails on my JP FSW). I've not sailed the board too many times but when I have used it in stronger winds over 20-25 knots on the local ocean or sheltered harbour, I didn't find the sailing position or strap positions were ideal for straight-line blasting (front and rear straps in middle position), compared to a dedicated freeride board (my other board is a Tabou Rocket). Maybe they would be ok for freestyle or wave use but don't do any of either.
Haircut, I have thought about placing the straps in the same positions you mentioned so will probably try that first.
most people who have been blasting around, especially on a slalom board, tend to hate the feeling of the wide stance when they first try it, including me when i first tried it. if they can persist with it for a while you certainly get used to it, and i think it improves your sailing in many ways.
gradually moving to a shorter and shorter fin and smaller sail size is another great technique improver imo. it makes you realise how many people use equipment so much bigger than they really need to use for the conditions - and you gain acceleration, maneuverability and freedom
Just got JP 2008 FSW 101 and 84 boards and gave these a good try out in the bay last weekend in a nice 20 knt NE with a 5.7 wave sail.
Mast base - thanks Haircut I took your advice and put the mast base slightly back and great in both boards.
Straps - being more of a freerider I wanted to replicate setup from my freerrace kit, so I had the front straps out and back, and the rear straps out and second poistion from the back. Loved the setup and sailed for several hours on the 101 and about 30 minutes on the 84 and both very comfy. Both boards very controllable and still lots of pop for the odd jump. Thinking with the 84 in 20 to 30 knots will probably move the straps in board depending on water state.
Select to expand quoteHaircut said..
ive also found that putting the mast base as far to the rear of the mast track as possible helps early planing on light wind days.
Surely pushing the nose down benefits early planing? i.e. moving the track forward?
If I had a scale model of a board and was pushing it around the bathtub, like let's just pretend I do that, because that would be really silly if I really did have a little pretend board I pushed around the bathtub and took Barbie for rides on it to the beach at the other end where the other Barbie was sun-baking, and they started to rub oil onto each oth....
Anyway, so if you had a little toy board and were pushing it around the bathtub, and you wanted to get it planing early, you'd push it toward the nose, not toward the tail.
Oh yeah: If you're blasting around all the time the outboard straps are far more comfortable. You get more leverage.
EP said... "because that would be really silly if I really did have a little pretend board I pushed around the bathtub and took Barbie for rides on it to the beach at the other end where the other Barbie was sun-baking, and they started to rub oil onto each oth.."
Pictures, or it doesn't happen.
