I want to get better at racing. I picked up some old gear in Hobart and I've been getting as much TOW with the big kit as possible. I have a couple of questions for those knowledgeable in the area. Admittedly, I'm using old gear 03ish starboard formula 186, gaastra nitro 4's. I'm 75kg, 177cm.
1. What can I do to get more height, upwind and downwind?
2. Is there a way to set my rig better to handle more wind (and therefore more speed, especially downwind)?
I don't have as much height as the dinghies which makes starts and close-quarters really hard. Instead, I have to take the unfavoured end of the line and go deep. 
This track makes me think its possible.
Maybe I'm not going big enough? I try to go as big as I think I can handle for the wind, but I run into another problem. I can't sheet in when the wind gets too strong. The centre of effort of the sail moves back so far along the boom, I struggle to keep myself from teabagging even if I push with the front hand and pull with the back hand. I'm talking about using a 10.4 in 12-18kts. How can anyone can possibly hold on to a 10m sail in 25kts??
I'm loving being out on the racecourse again. Heaps away from deserving a yardstick of 80 though. ;)
When I started formula, (which wasn't long ago) I had a similar problems. It sounds like you need a carbon boom for one. My old alloy boom would just belly out in the gusts and the COE of the sail would be all over the place. Just checking you have an adjustable outhaul as well. You really need to let that outhaul off to go downwind. Those guys that use a 10.4m in 25 knots have heaps of skill and take the power off by pointing really high and going deep downwind, but easier said than done as controlling the door at high speeds is no easy feat. I found my board repair skills have improved the most out of everything.
Judging by your avatar, I'd say you could bring your mast track a bit, that'll help you keep the nose riding high over the chop on the down wind legs. Maybe add some more tension / add a spacer in the second bottom batten too - that should push a deeper belly in the sail, keeping the COE nice an low and stable when the gusts hit. I don't think you have a boom either - as Dean said, try a carbon boom, it'll give you something to hang on to. Get a little bit of sandpaper onto that fin too - it'll smooth out those bumps and help you really point high without the tail spinning out. More downhaul - it'll affect your upwind angles a bit but you'll appreciate it when you're flying downwind.
Hope this helps.
ha nice one, sheartip. Sounds like all of those things could apply, especially the fin bumps.
I'm not sure if I've been using a carbon boom. It's a carbon backend, but rest of it? Can't tell without peeling off some grip, I guess. For sure a more modern boom would be heaps less flexy.
I trashed my 10.4 last weekend, put holes in two panels. It's an old sail that's evidently had a heap of time in the sun... Should I replace it or get a different size? The other race sail I have is 8.3.
I hear you about the board repair. Mine has been covered in knead-it for a while now, time to repair it for real!
