HiI

I suspect this thought goes against the ..windsurfing Scriptures, but I have to ask the question because sometimes I think that not everything is carved in stone..
I have a removable (not retractable) large centerfin on my new Bic Tahe 160 l WF board. For the moment I am only doing light wind subplaning , no foiling. To avoid the hassle of having to remove it ( or put it on) each time, depending on the conditions, I'd rather keep it on at all times. I know it helps going upwind, but does it seriously, I mean seriously, affect downwind if I keep it on?

I am ready to some compromise, as long as it does not create excessive drag, fin spinning or otherwise make control difficult in a downwind course ..
One advantage of keeping it on is that it stabilizes the board, especially when uphauling. The board is rather wobbly, compared to the previous 220 l 12 ft Bic board I had. This one is so much harder on my sense of balance, that I have now to relearn gybing , because the previous board was very forgiving and I got ..spoiled..

Thanks for the feedback

Francone

It'll be harder to point downwind the faster the wind blows. And, if you get into wind strong enough to plane...good luck!

It's good to practice without so you can progress, when you are ready.

once planning all the controls are back to front, you have to weight the outside rail to turn. And once it starts turning, it wants to turn harder. In other words total instability!

Francone if centre fin only about 30cm long it shouldn't be to much of an issue downwind at speeds you suggest. Not like it's a 60cm+ centreboard which will certainly lift n roll the board at planing speeds. Keep sailing n FEEL what your board responds best to.
Don't over think it.

This is why centreboards are fantastic if you can retract them or remove them while sailing.

^ BINGO!!!

Remove it and learn to sail the board how it's intended.

It's intended to be used in light wind summer conditions, for learning to windsurf, and in sub-planing conditions amongst others. So using it with a centre foil IS one of the things it's intended for.

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Grantmac said..
Remove it and learn to sail the board how it's intended.

some boards are intended for more than just..... "mowing the grass"

Cookie just made a video on this topic

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cammd said..

Grantmac said..
Remove it and learn to sail the board how it's intended.

some boards are intended for more than just..... "mowing the grass"

Yeah, this particular one is designed to plane and even for foiling. Neither of which he'll do with the center fin.

^ Itll certainly plane with centrefin. What you talking about Willis?
At higher speeds it may become harder to control. All good to use until fully in the straps n planing freely. If it's what you need to prevent walk of shame. Use it...

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Grantmac said..

cammd said..

Grantmac said..
Remove it and learn to sail the board how it's intended.

some boards are intended for more than just..... "mowing the grass"

Yeah, this particular one is designed to plane and even for foiling. Neither of which he'll do with the center fin.

Of course you can plane with a centre fin. And read the ad; it's designed for sub planing conditions.