I've seen many PWA and other videos where the board is leaned over quite a bit and still going straight. I'm getting closer to leaning it over, but find myself rounding up wind at times.

What is the trick? are you pushing the front foot and pulling the rear foot to keep a straighter line? What are the physical differences between standing up (or even leaning out) on a flat board vs. an angled board?

Course racers go hard upwind, drive hard with both legs, sail very powered, expose deck to wind.

You need a lot of foil power and a lot of sail power if you want to emulate the PWA, or a lot of wind. A PWA style setup will generate the same sort of power in 12kts that a freeride style sail/foil will generate in 25kts, there is a huge difference. The physics behind it are pretty simple but not every foil/combo is equal. PWA setups are purely geared for windward/leward performance and the windward heel is one of the positive consequences.

What sort of foil/sail setup are you using in what conditions?

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CJW said..
You need a lot of foil power and a lot of sail power if you want to emulate the PWA, or a lot of wind. A PWA style setup will generate the same sort of power in 12kts that a freeride style sail/foil will generate in 25kts, there is a huge difference. The physics behind it are pretty simple but not every foil/combo is equal. PWA setups are purely geared for windward/leward performance and the windward heel is one of the positive consequences.

What sort of foil/sail setup are you using in what conditions?

I have the 2019 Starboard Foil 177, Starboard foil (1100 front wing, 115 fuse) and run Ezzy Hydra 7.0/8.5 and Cheetah 8.0 depending on wind conditions. I agree with your on the comment above... we need a lot of wind. During gusts on my 8.0 the other day, I was able to crank upwind and lean out a bit. I've done this a handful of times when I'm feeling a bit overpowered. I'm trying to figure out the pressure of the feet as I lean it over and don't want to turn. I've done this a handful of times but don't understand what is and isn't working yet. Simple tips is what I'm after.

No condemnation, just an observation..
Two very good racer's I've seen have gone back to previous year boards after a few days on 177. One other is wavering on the fence.
Tiesda is very very good on the 177.

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IndecentExposur said..

CJW said..
You need a lot of foil power and a lot of sail power if you want to emulate the PWA, or a lot of wind. A PWA style setup will generate the same sort of power in 12kts that a freeride style sail/foil will generate in 25kts, there is a huge difference. The physics behind it are pretty simple but not every foil/combo is equal. PWA setups are purely geared for windward/leward performance and the windward heel is one of the positive consequences.

What sort of foil/sail setup are you using in what conditions?

I have the 2019 Starboard Foil 177, Starboard foil (1100 front wing, 115 fuse) and run Ezzy Hydra 7.0/8.5 and Cheetah 8.0 depending on wind conditions. I agree with your on the comment above... we need a lot of wind. During gusts on my 8.0 the other day, I was able to crank upwind and lean out a bit. I've done this a handful of times when I'm feeling a bit overpowered. I'm trying to figure out the pressure of the feet as I lean it over and don't want to turn. I've done this a handful of times but don't understand what is and isn't working yet. Simple tips is what I'm after.

I am often out side by side with the F4 foil developers in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are both on Starboard 177 but on Neil Pryde Flight/EVO sails. Their level of skill is frankly impressive and to be honest I have no idea how they manage to take off in nothing, point upwind like there is no tomorrow, and do miles long screaming down winds in big chop ... all on full on racing equipment. So sorry ... no tips (I am a rank beginner foiler myself) but it can obviously be done very well ...

I think they got 2nd and 5th in last week's Cal Cup.

My understanding is that when you are cranking the board over on a lean, it's helping you crab upwind while also getting deck pressure from the wind which helps keep the foil in the water when powered up. Straighten your front leg a bit of you need to to keep pressure on the front or lean forward-whatever works for your set up.
When I'm going downwind I don't tend to lean the board over, I'm more leaning forward to keep the foil down due to the higher speeds. It also helps to have an adjustable out haul because the pros are letting their out haul off a couple of cm when going downwind. Hope that helps. :)

The purpose of heeling the board to windward for upwind is to let the front wing do the work. When heeled the front wing acts like a super-efficient race fin that lifts to windward.

I heard a good tip from a pro on the beach at the Event Site a couple days ago. Even if you are foiling on freeride gear, raise the boom. This greatly improves your leverage on the board and foil when heeled upwind.