hi all
i can waterstarb my short boards easily. i sink the tail with rear leg and thats all.
on the formula board i cannot sink the tail, even with my 100kg .
what is the technique to waterstart those big tail boards ?

cheers
felix

Wind.

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BSN101 said..
Wind.

What sail ? I don't waterstart sails over 8m. waterstart on my old UltraSonic @ 95cm wide. No probs.

i talking about winds of 17knots and up
with relatively small sail of 6.7 or 5.7 at higher winds.
i use it for foiling.

Why would you waterstart a formula? Got enough volume to uphaul any size sail....

Since I always waterstart front foot on board between mast track and front strap, rear foot kicking, I do NOT need to sink the tail at all.
9.2 is an easy waterstart, in 15+ breeze.
Clearing a 10.4 takes me up to 3 attempts, not practical.
Foil, I need breeze enough to foil, in order to waterstart. Same technique.

I quess the answer really is.....BEND ZE KNEES.

LeeD, as you progress at windsurfing you should adjust to using your back foot first. This is a mistake that some new windsurfers make. You will find most people use their front foot to tread water and lead with their back foot. There are many videos online if you need help.

More than one way to skin a cat.
I can waterstart a 5.0 sail in 10 without grabbing below the boom.
OTOH, I can windsurf in 20+ winds and never fall more than 3 times in 5 days, making jibes every minute, and doing one jump a run.
I say "every minute" because I'm 72 and get out of breathe from activity. This with sub 100 liter boards planing every run.
I was waterstarting my 1st day in over 15 mph wind, 1st week.

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Sparky said..
LeeD, as you progress at windsurfing you should adjust to using your back foot first. This is a mistake that some new windsurfers make. You will find most people use their front foot to tread water and lead with their back foot. There are many videos online if you need help.

LeeD as a new windsurfer - now that's funny.

Not a water start but there's one move which works really well for big guys with Formula boards especially if the sail falls to leeward: Hop on up and weight the windward rail. The leeward rail will lift the mast out of the water and it makes up hauling really quick.

Subject is waterstarting a 5-6 sail, Formula foil.
Sinking tail not an option.
Fly sail, climb aboard with bent knees and lower handhold if the wind is sub 13 for you big guys.

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LeeD said..
Subject is waterstarting a 5-6 sail, Formula foil.
Sinking tail not an option.
Fly sail, climb aboard with bent knees and lower handhold if the wind is sub 13 for you big guys.

how to do it ? currently i need tons of wind to do this!!!

Fly sail.
Front hand halfway from base to boom.
Backhand foot of sail.
Kick backfoot.
Benf front knee.
Keep pumping sail.
Try to get either knee on the deck.
Stand up by pulling down with arms.

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felix1111 said..
hi all
i can waterstarb my short boards easily. i sink the tail with rear leg and thats all.
on the formula board i cannot sink the tail, even with my 100kg .
what is the technique to waterstart those big tail boards ?

cheers
felix

Easy to miss understand what you're after here.
Key is to water start asap before the luff fills with water. Start at tip of sail and push up working your way to the boom until there is enough wind to get you out. I do this with my 9.4 mtr no problem in 10 kn and up. Under that you muscle it with the uphual.

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LeeD said..
Fly sail.
Front hand halfway from base to boom.
Backhand foot of sail.
Kick backfoot.
Benf front knee.
Keep pumping sail.
Try to get either knee on the deck.
Stand up by pulling down with arms.

thanks i'll try it

thanks to all answers

You are welcome

felix1111, its worth remembering that because Formula boards are really wide, we usually set the boom much higher, this makes waterstarting feel a bit different from other boards.

The easiest way to waterstart formula boards is, rear foot first and pull the tail in towards and underneath you. At the same time, exaggerate the arm extension over your head to fly the sail.

Failing that, lower your boom!!

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mark62 said..
felix1111, its worth remembering that because Formula boards are really wide, we usually set the boom much higher, this makes waterstarting feel a bit different from other boards.

The easiest way to waterstart formula boards is, rear foot first and pull the tail in towards and underneath you. At the same time, exaggerate the arm extension over your head to fly the sail.

Failing that, lower your boom!!

thanks mark62
but with the foil i dont use high boom, especially at higher winds and smaller sails

It's all about technique. If you can't because there's not enough wind for you then that's the answer, time to uphaul. As you get experience then you will naturally adapt to conditions & your kit becoming more efficient and skilled in lighter & heavier winds. Always give it a go but if uphaul ing is the only way then that's ok til you get better. I try to waterstart my board all the time while one of my mates here never waterstarts and he is a very good sailor & foiler. Each to their own comfort zone. Froth away!!

Funny, people usually complain about the opposite! Yes the step is higher with bigger tail volume so you need more wind in relation to kit size to get over the tail. The good news is that your bigger sail should provide you with plenty of lift!

Just in case....

I step on the foil to waterstart, easy peasy

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felix1111 said..

mark62 said..
felix1111, its worth remembering that because Formula boards are really wide, we usually set the boom much higher, this makes waterstarting feel a bit different from other boards.

The easiest way to waterstart formula boards is, rear foot first and pull the tail in towards and underneath you. At the same time, exaggerate the arm extension over your head to fly the sail.

Failing that, lower your boom!!

thanks mark62
but with the foil i dont use high boom, especially at higher winds and smaller sails

Felix
To Mark's point, as you are raising your arms over your head, lean both arms sideways toward the front of the board, to counteract the windward helm. The "aft" arm should be moving sideways over your head.

If you hold the boom further back which helps pull you up & forward at the same time. move the rig forward as soon as you getup. I hate up hauling, getting on the board with a harness on & with 2 dodgy knees.