Got my first board 4 years ago...an original One Design, then 2 years ago picked up to a Seatrend 70 Allstar (140L) with a 6.4m race sail and got comfortable using the harnesses, but struggled to get planing due to having to generally sail in 10-15 knots locally. So last season purchased a 9.1m race sail, which worked better in the light winds but still not planing much. When I get going and start moving back, the tail is sinking badly.
Is the sail too big for the board or do I just need to get better? Weighed the board the other day...12.5kgs. Is this OK? Has it taken on some water?
Im thinking I need to get a newer board? Im 92kgs so was looking at something around 140-150L?? with a wide sail range. Starboard GO or Carve or JP X-cite. The EVA deck on the GO sounds good. Am I being too ambitious looking at the Carve and the X-cite?
If you are comfortable in a harness, and occasionally planning, then you are easily ready for something like a Carve or X-cite.
To avoid sinking the tail, don't move back until you are beginning to plane. Also make sure you don't move all your weight onto your back foot, instead keep it evenly distributed between both feet. Lastly, transfer some weight into the mast foot via the harness and boom. If you feel yourself dropping off the plane, (such as in a lull), you need to place more weight on your front foot to keep the board level until it gets going again.
When you have it all correct, everything will feel balanced and relaxed, and you can be skimming across the water putting in very little effort.
All technique. Yes the board is abit heavy but I had a Kinetic the same size as that (same width too) and could plane in 13-15 with 7.5. And I hate freeride gear as it feels foreign to me so if I could, so can you. Bear with it you'll be right.
If you are sinking the tail moving back, you are probably moving back too far too early, or not weighting the boom (mastfoot pressure) as you move
If you are putting your back foot in the strap first, the only way that will work is if you use a lot of mastfoot pressure.
If you are putting your front foot into the strap first, then you maybe need to wait and be patient until the board is planing comfortably before moving your rear foot back and putting it in the strap.
Stood the board outside yesterday and got a heap of water coming out. Weight has dropped from 12.5 to 9.8 kgs. Thats got to help me get planing. Any tips for finding and plugging the leaks?
