Any details on what a formula board tacking angle is ? Also general gybing angle in not overpowered situations. Also do you need that centre chicken strap for downhill sailing ?

Most guys sail upwind around 50deg-45deg off the wind. Gybing when running around 120deg to 150deg. Chicken straps are only necessary when the wind is really strong. Even then some guys dont use them at all.

Its a touch less than that actually, and depends on windstrength.

For the top guys:

<10 knots = 60-65 deg
>10 knots = 55 deg
>20 knots = 49 deg

All these angles are usually at around 15-16 knots boardspeed. Those angles are the degrees to the true wind.

Downwind for the top guys:

<10 knots = 130 deg
>10 knots = 135 deg
>20 knots = 142 deg

VMG downwind can be up to 18-20 knots and upwind about 10 knots as max. Downwind the speed record for a formula board is +34 knots average with an 11m sail ;)

Chicken strap depends a bit on the board. Some newer boards with good skill don't even need one. But generally speaking most people use it for downwind when they're overpowered, yes.

Hey Sean,

Much more precise than me on the angles. <What Sean said> Good luck with the nationals. I cant wait to see the photos online.

Cheers
David

i saw some of the photos from the warm up event...very slick....45 competitors was pretty impressive.....

runnind downhill is it a like a skiff useing a assy kite??
the more breeze the deeper and deeper u can run??
or does it get to a point the aparent breeze wont swing anny further around??

Thanks guys. Do a lot of boat sailing so understand the explanation Sean. Watched the racing on Sunday at Hawkes Nest and was surprised by the tacking angle being so great.
Certainly was a great spectacle. Will definately try and get over to watch some more racing this week. The guy from Brazil was quick.
Starting tactics where also interesting to watch.

Select to expand quote

SeanAUS120 said...

Its a touch less than that actually, and depends on windstrength.

For the top guys:

<10 knots = 60-65 deg
>10 knots = 55 deg
>20 knots = 49 deg

All these angles are usually at around 15-16 knots boardspeed. Those angles are the degrees to the true wind.

Downwind for the top guys:

<10 knots = 130 deg
>10 knots = 135 deg
>20 knots = 142 deg

VMG downwind can be up to 18-20 knots and upwind about 10 knots as max. Downwind the speed record for a formula board is +34 knots average with an 11m sail ;)

Chicken strap depends a bit on the board. Some newer boards with good skill don't even need one. But generally speaking most people use it for downwind when they're overpowered, yes.

What is it in the board's shape or mast position that prevent pointing any higher than this?

I know this will be debated, but when powered up, we point higher than skiffs.
Only Lasers, Etchels etc ie displacement boats point higher.

Our VMG's much much better though.

Light winds we get killed though.

Select to expand quote

Brett Morris said...

i saw some of the photos from the warm up event...very slick....45 competitors was pretty impressive.....

any results brett?

Tim - what are you doing posting - isnt today the BIG day!

Dont know results but highlights were

Ant making love to the markers - I managed this as well so sorry to anyone who had to sail around me

Willhelm showing us all just how to get around the course - Amazing

The sinking / disappearance of the bottom mark on race 1 on Sunday - just as the leaders were heading downwind - I can now reveal that as I was late for race 1 I summoned Muttley to remove it[}:)]

Good luck Tim + partner

Pointing angle in relation to TWA (true wind angle ) relates to how quick you are going. Faster you go the greater the TWA as the apparent wind is brought forward. The trick is to find the best Velocity Made Good to the top mark. Same downhill.
Obvious that wind pressure which affect speed also affects TWA.
Still great to watch the formula racing.

Select to expand quote

SeanAUS120 said...

Its a touch less than that actually, and depends on windstrength.

For the top guys:

<10 knots = 60-65 deg
>10 knots = 55 deg
>20 knots = 49 deg

All these angles are usually at around 15-16 knots boardspeed. Those angles are the degrees to the true wind.

Downwind for the top guys:

<10 knots = 130 deg
>10 knots = 135 deg
>20 knots = 142 deg

VMG downwind can be up to 18-20 knots and upwind about 10 knots as max. Downwind the speed record for a formula board is +34 knots average with an 11m sail ;)

Chicken strap depends a bit on the board. Some newer boards with good skill don't even need one. But generally speaking most people use it for downwind when they're overpowered, yes.

Whats a chicken strap? Also a displacement boat would point about 45 degrees wouldnt it? Its been a while since I sailed.. What sort of unpwind angle is good for a freeride? Ive been trying to match yacht angles.[}:)]. no wonder Ive been disgruntled..esp as a lot of the time its in less than 10kts..

Hey Tim...Shouldn't you be in the delivery room?
45 racers on the weekend... i would like to point out i was winning when the bottom mark sank!@!@#!@# my moment of glory gone!

there was actually so many racers it was hard to follow who was doing well. Allison and Steve Walsh stood out in the light race on Saturday.

There should be a report, photos etc up today....Good luck with the baby...