I got a session today, using the +1 shim with the 95+ fuse. After reviewing the Sam Ross videos, I figured that the speed differences on identical gear must be due to how much sail power you can use. Watching myself a bit, I found that I mostly used my hands even when hooked in, with little weight in the harness. Not really a surprise since I often use freeride foils to play with swell without hooking in much, but still useful. I then concentrated only on putting weight in the harness, to the point that I could "play piano" on the boom, and on moving as little as possible. That gave immediate results - I saw 20 knots on many runs, and improved my top 2 second foil speed by half a knot, to 20.5 knots. 5x10 seconds also improved by a similar amount. Considering gusty and light wind (12 kn gusting to 16), and that the +1 shim should make things a bit slower, I'm quite happy with that improvement. With more practice and perhaps a little more wind, I should be able to get a couple more knots. Your situation may be different, but it's food for thought.

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Paducah said..
How high are your riding?


boardsurfr said..
I got a session today, using the +1 shim with the 95+ fuse. After reviewing the Sam Ross videos, I figured that the speed differences on identical gear must be due to how much sail power you can use. Watching myself a bit, I found that I mostly used my hands even when hooked in, with little weight in the harness. Not really a surprise since I often use freeride foils to play with swell without hooking in much, but still useful. I then concentrated only on putting weight in the harness, to the point that I could "play piano" on the boom, and on moving as little as possible. That gave immediate results - I saw 20 knots on many runs, and improved my top 2 second foil speed by half a knot, to 20.5 knots. 5x10 seconds also improved by a similar amount.

I agree with both viewpoints.

Monday I went to Portland Harbour, where Sam Ross did his videos. Its so much easier there than my home spot in Poole Harbour, as the wind is a bit steadier and the water flatter. The wind picked back up after a front went through and on 7.5m & AFS 1080 foil I got PBs on everything. The gusts were enough to get people on fins with 7.5m planing. I concentrated on using body weight in the harness and moving hips forward to control excess lift, as per Jordy Vonk's video. 500m speed was quite a bit slower, as I was often quite low in the water as I didnt fancy foiling out and crashing.

Today I used an 8.5m, and my 500m speed was nearly as fast as Monday, and was closer to todays 10s speeds. I think this is because I was less powered up, and was more confident about riding higher out of the water, so a lot less drag from the foil.

I just need to ride higher when its windier now.

Monday then today

Harness pressure is essential, and unlike slalom fin sailing it is critical to keep almost constant pressure in the harness even when you move the rig around. I'm starting to think that when your 'in the zone' your trim adjustments only need to be a few percent to make a difference,... if you catch them early enough! If your late you will need major adjustments fast to avoid breaching or spash downs.

Long lines with consistent weight,
Bent legs helps you move around while hanging off the harness,
Rail the board to windward to drop the foil, level off to raise up - easier than pushing back/front feet all the time!
It is a bit tricky to not turn upwind when you do this, but learnable!

About a year ago I was on formula foil race gear heading downwind at about 20kts in the middle of a gust. I decided to test myself, and slotted the back foot in the strap and immediatley the GPS reading jumped to 22kts! Speed requires Commitment

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berowne said..
... Rail the board to windward to drop the foil, level off to raise up - easier than pushing back/front feet all the time!
It is a bit tricky to not turn upwind when you do this, but learnable!

Good session yesterday (no gps, though) and coming to terms with this. Thanks for the insight. It's a very subtle thing and rarely mentioned.