Just wondering if there is some general advice out there re a few setup issues. My current best speed was set on my big board with my biggest fin - Futura 122, Drake race 44. Today I was out on Futura 93 with an MFC SL 36. Favourable conditions, it felt faster but the actuals were slower. One variable is that the 122 straps are all the way back and out whereas the 93 I have them one position forward of all the way back and out. Lao shi mentioned moving the straps back "needs to be balanced with fin size and board trim".

So I have a few questions Does the fin size go down or up when you move the straps back? Would you alter the trim by moving the mast foot back or forward? Any general tips on set up and relationships between setup variables would be interesting.

Thanks all. BTW, did I mention how much fun I'm having???

Me = 80kg, sails are severne overdrives.

Have read of this thread
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34682&SearchTerms=set,up

I'll take a stab at it. Fin as small as you can get powered up is almost always faster off the wind. Smaller than you would use for beam reaching anyhow. Straps right back is also the general rule. Mast track back to get it balanced but still close the gap and more related to sail size than anything else.

You're doing the right thing by using the GPS to tune your gear.

The first time I took out the GPS I thought that the smaller fin would be faster, but with several trials of different fins it turned out that my 37cm was 1-1.5 knots quicker than my 31cm fin (on a 7m sail).

I think it comes down to balancing your gear, and the best way to do that is to keep an open mind, and run loads of experiments! Change one thing at a time, and make up your own mind.

Spot on Nebs.

And go deeper..............

Thanks guys!

Sailquick says go deeper.... I could not believe how deep you need to go to go fast.
I recommend putting your tracks onto Google earth (save tracks as .gpx then open in Google earth). I thought I was going far off the wind and staying there until I did this
This really allows you to see clearly how far off the wind you are going and how far you are sailing off the wind.
Another great way to find out how far off the wind and how long to stay at that angle is to follow an experienced speed sailor. If you want high speeds, good 5x10 secs and fast nautical miles these two methods have helped me

Select to expand quote

Another great way to find out how far off the wind and how long to stay at that angle is to follow an experienced speed sailor. If you want high speeds, good 5x10 secs and fat nautical miles these two methods have helped me

I was following slowboat at Lucky Bay - that made me realise how down wind you needed to go to be fast - the next run after seeing him I broke 30K for the first (and so far only) time

How far off the wind are you guys talking? 5, 10, 20 degrees ?? (more?)

even more, like 30-40 degrees off a beam reach (120-130 off the wind)

But you have to be powered up even on that angle (where the adjustable outhaul comes in). Sail bagged out or milking the gust.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35418&SearchTerms=milking