Any input as to what should be the correct weight distribution between legs?
Fairly even or more on the back foot to load up the fin? What % on each?

I've noticed that some sail board combinations feel fairly balanced between the 2 and others seem to require more weight on the back foot to make the rig feel balanced.

If the back foot fin pressure feels too much, can this be adjusted?
How to lighten the weight from the back foot?
eg mast track position ( limited on most modern boards.?)
or foot strap positions?
Height of boom? lenghth of harness lines? size of board?sail?

Thanks for any input

I sail with nearly all my weight on the backfoot.This pressure applied on the toes not the heel helps to lift the windward rail,which helps to go upwind greatly. Never tied sailing any other way.

I still maintain backfoot leeward rail pressure even when powered up/overpowered.I compensate by pushing upper body weight forward+low to nose of the board.

Higher boom increases lift greatly,believe it increases leverage over the sail but that is debatable.

A lower hook height will increase leverage over a high hook height but i find with a low hook,board is out of control providing too much lift.

I usually have a little more pressure on my back foot (unless im offwind)which I find, seems to work quite well when trying to keep the board trimmed.

Im finding with my JP slalom 101, I cant find that balance, its a whole lot of back foot pressure and curling the toes backward on the front foot so it doesn't come out of the strap . usually id shift my harness lines forward to remedy this problem, but the rig already feels well balanced. So if you figure it out, Im all ears

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Subsonic said...
I usually have a little more pressure on my back foot (unless im offwind)which I find, seems to work quite well when trying to keep the board trimmed.

Im finding with my JP slalom 101, I cant find that balance, its a whole lot of back foot pressure and curling the toes backward on the front foot so it doesn't come out of the strap . usually id shift my harness lines forward to remedy this problem, but the rig already feels well balanced. So if you figure it out, Im all ears

Assuming your sail is rigged correctly. Moving track forward and or dropping the boom should move your weight forward more to the front foot.

See my other post...
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Technique-Tips/

These are a few methods I know of:
1. Mast track forward but this can also trim the board too flat. Also if your front foot is already light, this may make it worse, as it pushes the nose down and moves the front strap a bit further from your foot.
2. Boom down, but again this will usually trim the board too flat
3. More downhaul to reduce mast foot pressure
4. Move the harness lines aft a bit
5. If you're using a weed fin move the mast base aft or change to a pointer fin
6. Use a smaller fin (less drag)
7. Move your straps aft (the back strap will have the biggest affect if there is already no weight on the front foot)

All of the above (except perhaps no 4) affect the board trim. If you consider the board trims about the fin (or just fwd of it), the more aft trim you have (bow up) the more front foot pressure, if the board is too flat or level you'll have negative front pressure.

My preference is set the boom to between the eyes and chin, mast base to the centre (or as manufacturer recommended), sail rigged to manufacturer specs (ie basically 100% downhaul), balance the harness lines, use a pointer fin and the recommended size, then adjust the strap positions to get even foot pressure. Then using 1 to 6 you can tweak to the conditions and if needed, to what fin and sail you're using on the day.

These are only my observations and I'm sure everyone will shoot them down or have different preferences!! But after years of front foot issues and adjusting 1 to 6, it was finally moving the back straps aft that fixed it!

Thanks for the input i'll try following your steps and do a few adjustments.
I;ve realised now that ive been too lazy for years to play around with different settings, normally leave all the settings untouched from 1st set up.
thanks
Dale

Yep thanks all, will try the tips.

PS:when I said I move the harness lines forward, I actually meant I move them back