My first sail in 15 years was on the type of board that just wasn't around back then.

So with limited skill and knowledge of these beasts I went out. I expected to have set this thing up all wrong and by the way it handled I suspect I had. Now I accept that a lot of the handling is down to me so technique is next on the list to look at but thought I had best start with a semi well set up board. The nose kept heading skywards and the board would wiggle on the tail.

My suspicions are mast _base_ positioning, fin & sail combination.

I didn't want to be over powered on my first go so rigged up quite an old 6m slalom _style_ sail (Neil Pride Quincam?). Wind was blowing 15mph and gusting 25. First up I think I rigged the sail badly, my pathetic memory and length off the water left this theory bit vague. It was a tad flappy, definately not enough downhaul, luffed alot and felt quite unstabble. More down and outhaul seemed in order but by then I was on the water. Secondly I only have the one fin for this board which I think is the standard one, "Starboard racing 65" Was this too big for the sail? Was the sail all wrong for the board.

I had read somewhere sometime that the mast_base_ should be positioned by measuring from the tail forward. Problem was on the beach I couldn't remember where that suggested position was 135cm or 140cm for this type and size of board. I went for 135cm. when on the plain the nose kept heading skyward. Was this the cause of mast_base_ too far back?

Any suggestions happily received.

Cheers,

Dan

Dan

think you have already got in your head what was wrong. I dont sail a formula but things now days are much the same for all boards. Would suggest mast track in the middle, not like the old days as the tracks are smaller. With regards sail and fin combo, mismatch, a big fin need a lot of power against it, I would say a 6mt is way to small, 9mt would be better but then again in 25kts of wind!!! Also the sail is old and will not work well with the board, now the sail have more sideways pull not front. Nose up and tail wagging, not enough mast foot pressure, basically you was shi*ing yourself and not sitting down on the sail, also part of the reason for luffing, but that can also be due to trying to get back to soon.

Keep at it, its better now that 15 years ago.

Dan,

In sharing my experiences, the nose rising sky ward is to do with the combination of a very floaty board with too light a rig weight in too high a wind strength. Formula boards of the 175 litre nature need rigs in the order of 8.5m minimum. An 8.5m rig (for my kit anyways) is significantly heavier than my 6.5m, because of the longer mast, bigger boom, and the 30% more sail material. The heavier rig helps to plant the floaty board in the water at higher speeds. Of course there is the large sail in the high wind problem, but that not what formula boards / sails are designed for. They are predominantly light wind use equipment design for 15knots or less wind strength.

Cheers for the replies chaps much appreciated.

I had a look around at my motley array of equipment and most of it seems to be mismatched. I do have another board I could use but no idea if its any good really. True it looks like new and has probably spent most of its life in a garage. Seeing as I could manage the waterstart still would I be better off using this? It's a Bic Electric Rock 265 carbon whatsit? I know its probably ancient but the need to get out is great and I'm incredibly short on funds for the next few months so new kit is out of the question.

Cheers again

Dan

boardy wrote:
Dan,
Of course there is the large sail in the high wind problem, but that not what formula boards / sails are designed for.
They are predominantly light wind use equipment design for 15knots or less wind strength.

No they are not, from the Starboard web pages

THE FORMULA IS A PURE COURSE RACING BOARD DESIGNED TO GO AROUND THE COURSE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IN ALL CONDITIONS. FROM SUPER LIGHT WINDS TO HIGH WINDS AND WITH MASSIVE POWER RESERVES, THE FORMULA PLANES UP EXTREMELY EARLY, POINTS HIGH UPWIND AND REACHES THE DEEPEST DOWNWIND ANGLES.

A formula is a pure racing machine, you may use it as a light wind board but that is not its purpose and it can be use in high winds

Dan,

The Bic Electric Rock was a great little board and was way ahead of its time with it's short length/high volume combination.

I would get that out and use it with anything up to a 7m sail.

The formula board is not much fun with smaller sails than 9m and even then they need to be good quality modern sails which means big bucks.

Get your old slalom sail out on the electric rock and I think you will enjoy it. Maybe a nice modern second hand 6m sail would be your best first purchase as there is nothing wrong with the electric rock which was an exceptionally sweet board.