Hi there
I'm having some problems, as soon as I pick up some speed the nose of the board starts to move totally out of control and I cannot figure out how to solve this.
I sail @ Elwood just on the weekends, with a 144 JP Free ride and usually a 5.3 Aerotech, the fin I've got is the 44 free ride (could that be the problem??),and I've got the mast base as far forward as I can. Some advice would be very appreciated!!!
THANK YOU!!!!

With that board/sail combo move the mast base to the rear of the track (as far to the tail as you can) .
As a general rule, forward for bigger sails back for small sails, Although a lot of boards do have a sweet spot and the movement would only vary slightly for and aft.
With your 5.3 on a 144l board, you'd be pretty much be at the min. size sail for that board - so move it back.

Try lowering your boom as well. This can help with overall control.

With that size board and fin (it's big) you're always going to have a challenge sailing 5.3m weather in bumpy water. I would say that combination is really at or over it's limit.

I would also try a smaller fin, it may help to calm the board down. In 5.3m conditions I'm usually on a 78L board with 23cm fin.

I have a 130ltr JP Xcite Ride. If Im using my 5.7 sail I drop down fin size and have far more control.

Select to expand quote

Changohank said...

Hi there
I'm having some problems, as soon as I pick up some speed the nose of the board starts to move totally out of control and I cannot figure out how to solve this.
I sail @ Elwood just on the weekends, with a 144 JP Free ride and usually a 5.3 Aerotech, the fin I've got is the 44 free ride (could that be the problem??),and I've got the mast base as far forward as I can. Some advice would be very appreciated!!!
THANK YOU!!!!

a 44 fin is way to big for a 5.3 sail you have the perfect sail for a 144jp take my advice and chuck your fin its way to big , i have a fin that im going to stick on the buy&sell section of seabreeze, ill send you a pm ,its yours for $150 this is a one off offer cos your new to this sport and theres a heep"s of so called friends out there to unload all of there unwanted crap, so my friend the fin is your's for $150
but waite i allso have a perfect 6/0mt 1983 windsurfer sail as new condition, you dont have to take it off the mast , just remove the battens an wrap it around the mast , and cos your new to this sport ill chuck the mast in for free ,yep you read it rite the mast is for free, but waite just remebered ive got a boom to fit the rig for $50 ill through it in

Keef, looks like you've taken to that fin with the "free set of steak knives" that you should also be throwing in to the deal.

Thanks all for your advice!!!

Yeah definately agree it sounds like oversized fin for your sail. Guessing the wind is about 15-20knots+ if planning with that sail?

Definately keep your fin though! Perfect if you get a larger sail, 8.0m +. The fin is also fine for non or low planning.

The sail is pretty much as small as you could go with that board..... apart from the fin being too big, it is the small sail resulting in not enough mast foot pressure to hold the front down.

Thus I say sail forward and boom higher???

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said...

The sail is pretty much as small as you could go with that board..... apart from the fin being too big, it is the small sail resulting in not enough mast foot pressure to hold the front down.

Thus I say sail forward and boom higher???

agree with that mark.

same goes for formula. go big!!!! that's the only way to keep the board on the water when the winds up, also one of the reasons why the top guys use massive sails in heavy winds on formula boards.