I have recently bought a Bic Techno 160 (last years major upgrade) and I have been out on it several times on the sea its a nice stable board for me at 90kg and I can uphaul it as well which is handy planes fast too so promises to be a nice board. Only problem is I have found it impossible to get into the straps which I ideally want to be at least 12in further forward than they currently are. I am considering epoxying new straps to the board in my ideal location. What if anything am I doing wrong or is it because I am perhaps slightly heavier than most people that this is not ideal for me. If I go back down the board to the straps it all just ends up turning into the wind. This problem is limiting my speed since I cannot put full power on or I would just slide off. I sail with a 6m loft sail most of the time which seemed a reasonable sail to match with this board I have a 7m loft and a 4.7m tushingham sail for really windy weather with matching boom and mast the skeg is the one supplied with the board which I think is a 0.6m one. I still enjoy wndsurfing and would like to crack a faster board like this would appreciate any suggestions with this. Have I bought too small a displacement board?

Hi,i also recently purchased a Tiga 281 at 150ltrs which i am led to believe is the same board as the Bic Techno.The back foot straps were impossible for me to get my pinkies in,i had to move them to the furthest forward available position which is also a little inboard and now they are spanking.
Have been using a 7.7 Tushingham x15 with what appears to me to be too big a fin but it works really really well.
I am 95kg which i would like to reduce a little.
Have you moved them as far as possible ?

As postie, there are a usually a selection of settings, are they as far forward as possible? If so, try sailing out of the footstraps but gradually moving back towards them. You'll get the feel and find out how to stop turning into wind (push the sail forward). Basically it's just a gradual move to the foostraps. I struggled for some time, but now I realise how secure it feels.

Hi
I have also struggled getting in the straps on my 150L board but following a week at a Neilson centre I now know its nothing to do with the position of the straps just that when I move back towards the straps I allow the board to lose speed and head upwind If you drop and push thro your front foot and keep the board planning by heading down wind slighly untill you are in the straps you can then turn back up wind and stay planning.
Good luck
Steve

This is all good advice I will try this out in a couple of weeks when I am back out on the water again I do realise that my speed drops off as I am trying to get into the straps thanks guys will let you know how I get on.

The key with footstraps is to oppose the rig:

Rig forwards - your weight back = being able to un-weight your front foot and get it into the footstrap
Rig back - your weight forwards = being able to un-weight your back foot and get it into the footstrap

This will really help stop the board loosing speed & turning into the wind which is usually the main cause for not being able to get into the footstraps.

Hope it helps & if you ever need any help just give us a call at Poole Windsurfing (01202 237247) www.poolewindsurfing.co.ukand we can run through whatever it is you are stuck with.