I have query about fins if any of you experienced people can help.
Recently I have returned to the sport after a 20yr break and am having great fun on a Bic Lambada and a Bic techno 283.
I have just recently been getting back on the straps on the techno and have had a couple of freaky moments.
The wind was probably around 20 knots or so(guessing) and I was going along quite nicely in semi control (6.1 sail) when a gust came and the board kind of reared up and seemed to be riding almost on its side on the fin,maybe I didn't have enough pressure on the rails,but it was very disconcerting.
Every time I really leant into it in the gusts,the board would kind of rear up on its side.
I am wondering if the standard fin,which seems huge at 48cm,is too big for windy conditions,or it is just technique?
It is a trim box fin and I am going to get another board anyway,so is it worth trying a smaller fin? Or is that even the problem?
Bleary.
Not an expert by any means, but from what you're describing, sounds like your fin is too big for the conditions. How big is the board (litres/length/width)? For instance, I usually ride a 106 litre board in 20 knots with a 5.5 sail and my fin is 34cm. When I put the 6.6 sail on in lighter conditions (up to 15 knots give or take) I step it up to a 37cm fin.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Sputnik the board is 2.83 long and 150 lts,so she is a bit of a boat.I will try adding more rail pressure I think,plus look for a lower volume board.It felt like the board was almost planing on the fin sideways if that makes sense,it was very sudden I know that.
There are two factors at work here, being "overboarded" and overfinned.
When the board is too big for the conditions a lot of wind gets under the nose of the board and lifts it, making it hard to keep the nose down and the board under control.
Secondly a fin which is too large for the conditions provides too much lift and will try to make the tail of the board lift. As you are standing on one side, only one side can lift so the board "rails up" unless you can apply a lot of toe pressure which results in sore shins.
Those older style boards are rideable in windy conditions but are hard work!
You could try a smaller fin but for comfort in windier conditions you need a smaller board with a shorter nose. Most of us have a variety of fins so we can rig for conditions just as you would change down sails.
Thanks for that Windxstasy,it did feel like the wind got under me as well,a smaller board is on the shopping list I think.
At 83 kg or so,what size board could I still up haul at a pinch,as my water starts are still a work in progress.I am thinking 120 to 130 pr so?
Thought l add my 2 cents try to practice your deep waterstarts as much as possible that will give you more confidence. Also a smaller board is actually easier to waterstart .then you can progress to a smaller board & get those jibes happening. Happy sailing
