Its been 10 years!

I finally bought a JP Xcite ride to get back into windsurfing and spent last summer finding my feet again. It has proven a challenge.

I used to ride a 118lt F2 Bullet which was notably narrower and longer than designs nowadays although doubt that that has anything to do with my troubles getting back on the horse. I figured that I could just jump back on a board and be off and running, planning and gybing like the old days.... not so!

Im having trouble getting into rear strap. Often a couple of things happen, I either get over powered before I can get the board fully onto the plane or when I get close to or into the rear strap (usually the latter) I start loosing directional control and the board fishtails with the nose well out of the water.

Staying out of the rear strap at this stage yields significantly more control of the board and indeed more planning. As the speed increases however I find that I need more control which would ordinarily be provided with the rear foot in the strap. So you can see my problem... rear foot out=not enough control. Rear foot in= loosing control!

I dont remember going through the same problem all those years ago and I dont think the laws of physics have changed..... so if its not the horse, it must be the jockey right?

Any of you sailors out there throw some advice my way?

MJB

Hi,

Modern board designs are pretty foolproof with regard to where you put straps and mastfoot, so it's more than likely a technique thing.

A couple of things might help:
1) Sheet in more
2) Commit more to the harness
3) Move your back foot so it's just touching the front of the strap, then go for a quick stab once you're really planing.

I'm sure that you're almost there, it will come with practice. Let us know how you go!

I know your pain. It was happening to me regularly. The nose of the bosrd right up and waving around uncontrollably. Thanks to good advice on here I am getting it sorted.

1. More weight into the harness ie lighter weight through feet. Soft knees and ankles.

2. Be aware of fin size. I was trying to run a too bigger fin (44cm)and "wheelstanding" in strong wind. Dropped the fin size down and the board levelled out heaps better.

Are you using a modern sail? What type of sail are you using and where are you putting the mast base in the mast-track? Forward, back, or in the middle?

MJB,
I can hear where your coming from...its taken me a season to get used to the JP.
Nebs and Buddha are spot on.......for me it was fin size that was throwing me in to fishtails.
Smaller fin..and voila!!
I also think someone on the forum a while back mentioned focussing your vision on where you want to go (ie looking ahead) rather than looking down as you begin to lose directional control....it affects your stance and this definately helped me out.

cheers,
mick

Maybe this is obvious but ..... you've got footstrap positioning options on the xcite's, so make sure your initially using them in the forward and inboard most positions, they're easier to get into and also better for gybing / manouvres etc otherwise there's no better fix than a bit more TOW

Mast Foot Pressure
Mast Foot Pressure
Mast Foot Pressure

Put more weight down through the boom, and hence through the mast foot.

Remember, you have three points of contact with the board - two feet and the mast foot. You're getting too much weight through your feet and not enough through the mast foot, which is allowing the nose to get lairy.

Commit to the harness and try not to stand on the back of the board - by doing this means that you stay on the plane better because you're not pushing the back of the board into the water - instead you're trying to keep it flat and out of the water.

Welcome back to the sport - you'll have it sorted in no time.

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FlickySpinny said...

Mast Foot Pressure (x3)
Put more weight down through the boom, and hence through the mast foot.

Spot on! Maximum weight down into the boom is the key. If you haven't done so already, consider getting a waist harness and the longer lines to match (say, 26", but depends on your forearm length), and rigging with your boom at chin height. Makes it more natural to hang "down" off the boom, rather than hanging "out" from it (if this makes sense).

I, too, have an XCiteRide. After lots of experimentation, have settled on the front footstraps in the inboard position, and just a single strap, centred, at the rear. Probably not the fastest configuration, but, oh so sweet to cruise on.

Yeah, welcome back!

Yeah, what ^^^they said. either mast-foot pressure down by using harness, or arms, and stay sheeted...I've also got a Xcite...(a big'un) smooth & fast!

Maybe you need lots more downhaul (big difference to the old days, modern sails needs wads of it) and make you're rig easier to handle which will make everything easier.

Thanks all... great responses.

A few question responses in no particular order...

Mast base is about mid to a slightly aft point, thanks to a 'mushroom' placed in the forward track to stop board damage when I get catapulted.

Sails used so far...

Niel Pryde 8.5 Helium V8
North Sail 7.0 Natural
North Sail 6.0 Daytona

Fin is what JP sent with the board. 44cm and has been used with all 3 sails. I have bought a 38cm fin but havent used it yet. It might be time to strap in on!

Straps are currently positioned forward and inboard, front and rear.

sailpilot in my world TOW = Take Off Weight. lol... can I press you for further info regarding "there's no better fix than a bit more TOW"

So far have have not been game enough to take the "luffing" out of the leech (have I described that right?). This seems to be one design feature that has changed considerably with the sails. The North Sails seem easier to rig as far as downhauling is concerned. I have been using considerable downhaul as I am told the loose leech line up top will spill the power in the stronger breeze.

Thanks again for the great input... I shall endeavour to take it all on board so to speak.

MJB, I have the X-Cite 110 and a 130, sails from 5.7 up to a 7.4, biggest fin needed with the 7.4 is probably boarding on that 38.
leave that black 44 in the case. They are OK to learn with but you have hit the solution, the Fin is too big. Soon as you fit the 38, you will feel difference
Most times I run a weed fin, a JP 31 and a JP 36 Have run down as low as a Choco 27 wed fin.
Your about right, mid point with the mast base, forward for control, and nose down. Back for speed, and drop fin size to get the control back.

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MJB said...


sailpilot in my world TOW = Take Off Weight. lol... can I press you for further info regarding "there's no better fix than a bit more TOW"

TOW = Time On Water, preferably with a boom in your hands, as opposed to a cold beer / fishing rod / controls to a big ship (like Sailpilot).
One can never have enough TOW.