Got a mistral flow 85L for high wind days (im about 90L), i know that i want my footstraps out board for flat water blasting in bay conditions (have 2 straps on the back to), but my question is would i be better of having my footstraps forward or back (or in the middle). Whats are the effects of the different positions? Would having them forward or in the middle make for earlier planning?

only owning one board i set all my gear in middle .. fins /footstraps mast base . and lowly change one at a time to work out and learn what every thing will do .. slowly i have moved fin forward and front strap back .. while back strap in still in middle .. i use a 21cm fin on 75l board ( im 65kg) on sails 5m-4.2-3.8 i moved mast base forward to compensate for moveing my feet slightly back .. ... i found i got a tiny bit more speed with froot food further back and outboard ...i believe it is because i can get further out board and further back .. increasing my righting movement out ward a lil bit more .. also less pron to beeing capapulted .. im not over rideing your post just .. asking for a broader answer for the how combination ( fins/straps /mast bases)

You have to be sailing conditions that are easy for getting up on a plane to use your footstraps fully back. Consequently, I find it easiest to keep mine full forward. However, if you have regular, strong and steady winds, you can utilize them full back. If you spend a lot of time slogging through lulls, keep them forward in that it's very difficult to stay on a plane with them full back.

Select to expand quote

Rubby said...

You have to be sailing conditions that are easy for getting up on a plane to use your footstraps fully back. Consequently, I find it easiest to keep mine full forward. However, if you have regular, strong and steady winds, you can utilize them full back. If you spend a lot of time slogging through lulls, keep them forward in that it's very difficult to stay on a plane with them full back.

that probably explains why you need an 11m sail to get going in 15 knots.

No, my 230 lbs of solid muscle explains it.

Select to expand quote

Corkers said...

Got a mistral flow 85L for high wind days (im about 90L), i know that i want my footstraps out board for flat water blasting in bay conditions (have 2 straps on the back to), but my question is would i be better of having my footstraps forward or back (or in the middle). Whats are the effects of the different positions? Would having them forward or in the middle make for earlier planning?

In the middle is better for early planning. i would never sail with twin foot straps at the back on a 85L board anyway. You realy only need 2 foot straps for bigger size boards over 100L, cause the front foot straps are so far apart.

Select to expand quote

Rubby said...

No, my 230 lbs of solid muscle explains it.

that and bad and poor technique brucie.

try moving your straps back and you'll reduce your planing threshold.

Select to expand quote

Corkers said...

Got a mistral flow 85L for high wind days (im about 90L), i know that i want my footstraps out board for flat water blasting in bay conditions (have 2 straps on the back to), but my question is would i be better of having my footstraps forward or back (or in the middle). Whats are the effects of the different positions? Would having them forward or in the middle make for earlier planning?

I've got an 85L Flow as well which was my only board for many years up until recently, used it with 4.0 to 6.0 sails. I did spend some time mucking around with the strap positions a number of years ago and eventually settled on the ideal position after some experimentation, though control and speed in choppy conditions was the main priority. I'll be away from the computer for a few days but will check to see where I currently have the straps positioned and get back to you with my findings.

foot strap position allso afect your fin dont forget .. im not sure what they called ...turtle/power box ? .. but if u do not have the ability to slide your fin back and forward useing a us-wave box ... then u move your back strap back ...moveing your straps back might give you more speed but spin out will come in as the change in back foot preasure will be changeing .. so u could upgrade your fin or not move your back strap

Select to expand quote

In the middle is better for early planning. i would never sail with twin foot straps at the back on a 85L board anyway. You realy only need 2 foot straps for bigger size boards over 100L, cause the front foot straps are so far apart.

Ok, maybe i should give the single rear strap a go, always used two so comfortable with it, but this make sense... theres not much tail there