This board above... Dare I say it feels kind of crappy? Disclaimer: I kite way more than I sail, but I sailed the last two days in fantastic conditions and fought this thing every step. It felt slow, didn't point too well, and worst of all it was painfully stiff on the wave. Just wondering if anybody has some tuning suggestions or tips for this board, I have way too many hobbies and really don't want to have to get a different board.
My setup was: front and rear straps in middle insert position, fin almost to the very front of the box (stock fin) and mast base just a bit back from center. It felt like it wanted to just stick to a (crappy) line, and I ended up burying/catching the front rail then bogging down and blowing a bunch of waves. I was sailing pretty powered, side to side on, head high to few feet overhead, 5.2 ezzy. I weigh about 71Kg and skill level is somewhat respectable.
The board feels like it would be good on a bigger, hollower wave, but that doesn't really work for me as a day to day ride. Watching my friends rip on wider, multi fin boards was pissing me off! Felt like a total donkey.
I do remember getting some really good days on this board and having fun, it could come down to just not sailing enough to maintain a solid skill level. Any input is greatly appreciated, even if it's just saying: Put the kite down and sail more dumbass!
Thanks guys.
One more thing, does anyone think it would be beneficial to have my buddy glass in fcs plugs and make it a thruster? I was considering that also, even though it will slow this dog down even more...
That is a pretty good board, not having ridden one myself, but I've seen others on those having a pretty good time.
I also have some windsurfing friends that have been mostly kiting over the last few years, and they say that getting back onto a w'surfing board takes some adjustment.
Kiting takes a lot of the force of gravity away from your riding (pulling up), w'surfing and standard surfing doesn't, it takes more advantage of gravity, you are always fully weighted onto your board.
You may just have to get used to being more heavy on your board, and taking advantage of gravity instead of fighting it.
Super good point, may be why I kept feeling like I was catching a rail. I do feel that other boards I have had were way more plug and play, super loose, just effortless. This thing was like a math problem. I'm thinking about running a smaller fin, although it's going to make it harder to make ground. I might just have to spend a day screwing around with all the variables until I dial it!
