Hi there
I'm having some problems, as soon as I pick up some speed the nose of the board starts to move totally out of control and I cannot figure out how to solve this.
I sail @ Elwood just on the weekends, with a 144 JP Free ride and usually a 5.3 Aerotech, the fin I've got is the 44 free ride (could that be the problem??),and I've got the mast base as far forward as I can. Some advice would be very appreciated!!!
THANK YOU!!!!
With that board/sail combo move the mast base to the rear of the track (as far to the tail as you can) .
As a general rule, forward for bigger sails back for small sails, Although a lot of boards do have a sweet spot and the movement would only vary slightly for and aft.
With your 5.3 on a 144l board, you'd be pretty much be at the min. size sail for that board - so move it back.
With that size board and fin (it's big) you're always going to have a challenge sailing 5.3m weather in bumpy water. I would say that combination is really at or over it's limit.
I would also try a smaller fin, it may help to calm the board down. In 5.3m conditions I'm usually on a 78L board with 23cm fin.
I have a 130ltr JP Xcite Ride. If Im using my 5.7 sail I drop down fin size and have far more control.
Keef, looks like you've taken to that fin with the "free set of steak knives" that you should also be throwing in to the deal.
Yeah definately agree it sounds like oversized fin for your sail. Guessing the wind is about 15-20knots+ if planning with that sail?
Definately keep your fin though! Perfect if you get a larger sail, 8.0m +. The fin is also fine for non or low planning.
The sail is pretty much as small as you could go with that board..... apart from the fin being too big, it is the small sail resulting in not enough mast foot pressure to hold the front down.
Thus I say sail forward and boom higher???
