Sailor: 70kg, been sailing since last summer
Board: Starboard GO133, JP Slalom 42 fin
Sails: 7 to 8 sqm
Conditions: 5 to 15knots wind, flattish water

The wind picks up, board accelerates and front half of the board lifts out of the water. I'm positioned such that forward foot is between the front strap and mast, closer to the strap. The board feels tail heavy where I'm standing and the nose is too high. The rig feels right, can't stand any further forward to bring the nose down.

At this point, the nose will start to violently sway left and right 2-3 times per second. (It's similar to head shake/tank slapper when riding a motorcycle). It will usually put me off balance and ruin the momentum and slow the board down.

However, if a gust hits during the shake, the board will accelerate and jump out of the water, only last foot or two near the tail in the water. No more shaking, it's stable and fast .

The only way to get past the shake is to ride it out till the board has enough speed (not likely) or get some assistance from a gust.

Any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong? Is it my setup, equipment or technique?

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GusTee said...

Sailor: 70kg, been sailing since last summer
Board: Starboard GO133, JP Slalom 42 fin
Sails: 7 to 8 sqm
Conditions: 5 to 15knots wind, flattish water

The wind picks up, board accelerates and front half of the board lifts out of the water. I'm positioned such that forward foot is between the front strap and mast, closer to the strap. The board feels tail heavy where I'm standing and the nose is too high. The rig feels right, can't stand any further forward to bring the nose down.
You want the nose to lift so you can plane, but if the tail is sinking and acting like a brake, increased mast foot pressure (MFP) will hold the nose down. To apply MFP get low and hang off the boom, or hook in your harness and lean back. If that is not sufficient, having the mast further forward in the track will help.


However, if a gust hits during the shake, the board will accelerate and jump out of the water, only last foot or two near the tail in the water. No more shaking, it's stable and fast .
That's planing and that is what we are all about.

You're so close! You'll get the hang of it in the next session or two.


What you need to do is sheet in more, hang off the harness more.

You need a bit more force coming down those harness lines. So lean out, sheet in, and feel the speed build and build.

It's mandatory at this point to let out the biggest YEEEEHHHAAAA!!! that your lungs possess.

LIsten to this man.
Speaks the truth , he does !!
Esp the bit about the YEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

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nebbian said...

You're so close! You'll get the hang of it in the next session or two.


What you need to do is sheet in more, hang off the harness more.

You need a bit more force coming down those harness lines. So lean out, sheet in, and feel the speed build and build.

It's mandatory at this point to let out the biggest YEEEEHHHAAAA!!! that your lungs possess.

Hi GT

Your fin size matches your sail size for an experienced sailor, but for a beginner (your weight) it's probably too big.

I had a similar problem when I first started. I didn't have the experience go into the straps and ride the fin, so the board would make me got down wind full planing out of control (and I remember that rocking effect).

After two months of this, I got a smaller fin (a non-optimal sized fin), and I was then able to get the board under control. From there I was balanced, comfortable and happy to try the harness and foot straps.

J

As nebbian says, it's all about maintaining mast foot pressure.

It's a common challenge we've all faced in learning the sport - next challenge will be avoiding the same problem when you start to gybe.

Do a search on the WWW, there are many training video clips available on this problem. Peter Hart has some good tips as has Jem Hall on boardseeker.com

Yeah Gus, as they all said - mast foot pressure.

Rather than swing out with weight on harness, sit or crouch down in it, almost under the boom to get the mast foot pressure required. Then when it pops out on plane, weight out & jump in straps.

Yep agree with all of the above. Load up that harness. Don't use your feet to weight the front of the board at all.

Also like Sharkbiscuit said, you have a fairly big rig for starting on, a slightly smaller fin may make the transition to planing a little smoother.

Yep, mast foot pressure.

Lighten your feet and hang from the sail.

Did exactly as suggested and to my delight got on the plane without going through the wobbles! I only experienced the shake once as I was slowing down to turn around, with the sail sheeted out. I had the same fin, will get a smaller one and see what that does.

It was my day. Everything went 100%. I even pulled off a very convincing beach start (not the usual dodgy), within 50 meters of jumping on the board from cold, I had it going the best it has following the above advice.

The speed and the sound of the chop hitting the board as it skipped on the surface was truly addictive. I didn't want to come back in, but ran out of daylight.

I was talking to an experienced windsurfer in my very early days. He was saying, once you experience thrill of planing it's unlikely that you'll ever give up windsurfing. Wise words.

Thanks again...

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GusTee said...

The speed and the sound of the chop hitting the board as it skipped on the surface was truly addictive. I didn't want to come back in, but ran out of daylight.

Good one GusTee - you are now officially addicted

Where do you sail?

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Wineman said...


Good one GusTee - you are now officially addicted

Where do you sail?

I usually head to either Balmoral or Kyeemagh.

I bet the YEEHAA was a good one

You bet.

Looks like you is hooked!

Just my 2¢ worth:

Mast pressure yes, but think about achieving that by having the rig properly powered up – that naturally puts effort down.

Don't get back on the board to early, because it's just putting the brakes on by digging the tail into the water. Get the speed happening, and then slowly inch the feet back, get the rear one in the strap when it feels right, and by then you should be cranking. Then put the front foot in and it should all be happening.

Your board is pretty big and 130 litres, right, so all this should come together pretty quick.

Awwwwwwww, I dunno about the back foot in first.
I'd suggest front foot first, back foot when you are comfortable, pushing forward a bit with the front hand to keep the rig stable. You want some pressure there, but you are not trying to move the rig, just keep it in the same position while you move back on the board.
Most of us let the mast fall back while getting into the straps for the first time, making everything round up into the wind.
A single rear strap option is ideal for getting in more easily.

^^^ agreed - always front foot first so the back foot is in between the straps and you are easing your weight back

Think about the wide stance required once your back foot it in. When you lift your front foot to go for the strap u will have to put weight on your back foot....right near the tail
Now consider putting the front foot in first so the back foot is quite close to it (in between the straps). Now, when you put the second foot in (back one) you don't have to transfer as much weight to the other foot, and the weight you do transfer will be forwards so is less likely to kill the planing.

Yes, every once in a rare while I'll have my back foot in with the front out, but it's an advanced trick for getting going in hell overpowered conditions.

The key top keeping everything scwheet while lifting the back foot is rig control. Keep the rig stable, and everything stays the same. Let the mast drop back even a fraction, and it's all over.
Experienced sailors all do this so naturally, they probably don't even realise what they are doing.

Yes, every once in a rare while I'll have my back foot in with the front out, but it's an advanced trick for getting going in hell overpowered conditions.

The key top keeping everything scwheet while lifting the back foot is rig control. Keep the rig stable, and everything stays the same. Let the mast drop back even a fraction, and it's all over.
Experienced sailors all do this so naturally, they probably don't even realise what they are doing.

Yes, every once in a rare while I'll have my back foot in with the front out, but it's an advanced trick for getting going in hell overpowered conditions.

The key top keeping everything scwheet while lifting the back foot is rig control. Keep the rig stable, and everything stays the same. Let the mast drop back even a fraction, and it's all over.
Experienced sailors all do this so naturally, they probably don't even realise what they are doing.

Yes, I forgot that I do it the other way round.

But the point is, with either method, to get some board speed up before getting back on the board.

I learned in heavy conditions, and was always getting slung over, so started hooking my back foot in first to prevent this.

While doing this, I still keep a fair bit of weight on the front foot, and often am on the ball of my back foot. The step to get the front foot into its strap happens pretty quick, and when at reasonable speed, so no risk of tail sink.

Sorry for the multiple posts, my internet connection is doing weird things today. I actually deleted teh extras, but they are still there. Flippin' computers.