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