Board advice - Bic Techno 160D ?

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
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Re: Board advice - Bic Techno 160D ?

More of an issue of getting water flow over the fin/centerboard to attach. At super low speeds, the flow doesn't attach and you just slide sideways. Same way that too slow of flow over a wing is how airplanes fall out of the sky. Lowering the nose, however, allows the speed to rise and flow reattach and everyone gets home safely.

With a board with sharp rails, e.g. long raceboard, you can use the leeward rail to help. On shortboards, we do the opposite, use the windward rail. The larger surface, while not efficient, reduces slip. With the rounded rails of an inflatable, it might be a challenge. (Not a criticism of the inflatable, just recognizing its characteristics.)

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sodani
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Joined: 08/09/2019 - 11:09
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Re: Board advice - Bic Techno 160D ?

I see. Yeah, my inflatable has rounded edges except for a few feet at the back where there is a narrow, more rigid material. I suspect it may be to help prevent sliding in light air, though I still make plenty of leeway

I just got back from windsurfing today. The forecast said 14 knots, but it was gusty and I wished I had a smaller sail. Getting back home was a bit difficult again, with wind and 2 knots of current against me. My hands got a good workout though Yes 3

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webguy
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Re: Board advice - Bic Techno 160D ?

Cool (no pun intended. It's freezing down here). That's a lot of tidal flow!

Yes, the gustiness can be difficult - just feather your sail and turn the board upwind as you need. Also, you can pull a touch more outhaul but not too much or the sail becomes twitchy and making gustiness feel worse.

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