Today I was out in 20 to 25 knots with 5.8m ka concept on a carbon art 55 and 320weed fin (standard size). I was maxed out trying to hold it down and had to sheet out a lot n the gusts. I 'm 69kg but other sailors my weight seem to hold down bigger sails and don't start tail walking and bounce around so much. I did try to push back in the harness and stay sheet in but it ended in a tail walk and spectacular crash(ouch) where it all just got airbourne then don't really know but big stack. Having re-entered the sport after a 17 year break I'm just learning how much downhaul you need which has improved stability enormously but I'm thinking a smaller sail and fin but if others of similar weight can hold bigger sails then is it technique or setup I should look at.

I agree sail size should be OK, I'm 67kg and don't have a problem with that size in those winds.
But I'd be on a much smaller fin, something like a 22, but then I like small fins, and don't like tail walking.

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Little Jon said...

Today I was out in 20 to 25 knots with 5.8m ka concept on a carbon art 55 and 320weed fin (standard size). I was maxed out trying to hold it down and had to sheet out a lot n the gusts. I 'm 69kg but other sailors my weight seem to hold down bigger sails and don't start tail walking and bounce around so much. I did try to push back in the harness and stay sheet in but it ended in a tail walk and spectacular crash(ouch) where it all just got airbourne then don't really know but big stack. Having re-entered the sport after a 17 year break I'm just learning how much downhaul you need which has improved stability enormously but I'm thinking a smaller sail and fin but if others of similar weight can hold bigger sails then is it technique or setup I should look at.

Mast foot fwd, boom up a touch, harness lines to match, and maximum leverage of you over the sail, directing through mastfoot, and appropriate sized fin loaded in a balanced way.

Don't sheet out. Show the board who is the boss.

Where were you sailing?

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Mobydisc said...

Don't sheet out. Show the board who is the boss.

Where were you sailing?

I tried to muscle it and not sheet out. when a gust came I put my weight through the harness to keep the power on no matter what, it started to tail walk so I muscled it with my feet to hold it but it suddendenly went airbourne and then I crashed

I swas sailing at Lake tuggeragh near the entrance where the boat hire is

you do know being overpowered that much ain't really that fast... smaller fins are faster too, less drag..

thanks for the tips