Whats the best point of sail for initial windsurf foiling flying?

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rgenet
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Joined: 12/26/2002 - 08:16
Posts: 266
Whats the best point of sail for initial windsurf foiling flying?

- a reach?
- a broad reach?
- up-wind-ish?

It may depend on how strong the wind is maybe?

Thanks!

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13785
Re: Whats the best point of sail for initial windsurf foiling...

I found it easiest when I started on almost a broad reach. That way your weight is over the board; you aren't really getting pulled sideways and you have plenty of power so you don't need a big sail. Upwind is the hardest. Either use the front strap only or strapless and the back foot centered on the board. 12-18 with no more than a 6.5. Use a meter smaller than a regular windsurfer. Cammed sails are probably not your friend starting out (imho). Later on, yes, but in the beginning grab something light, easy to handle and that depowers easily. More wind than that will be a bit scary at first and less can be frustrating because you'll need a bigger and heavier sail.

Get on a slow plane and try to gently rise. Skip like a stone at first and keep it low. If you try to yank it up quickly, it's easy to stall and plop back in the water when you are starting out. Don't worry about trying to be high above the water. Focus on the horizon- don't look down even though your whole body wants to. And, never, ever, ever let go of the boom. Biggrin

The advantage windfoils have is not only can you use your body weight for fore/aft balance but the rig, too. Pull the rig slightly back to help you rise and push it forward to go back down just like a joystick.

If the board wants to rise too easily - stand a touch more forward, move the back foot a bit forward, lower the boom or move the foil forward. Opposite if it has trouble getting off the water. All the adjustments are in 1-2 inches or less.

Probably a bit too much information. Hope some of it is helpful.

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FoilDodo
rgenet
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Joined: 12/26/2002 - 08:16
Posts: 266
Re: Whats the best point of sail for initial windsurf foiling...

Not too much at all - this a great help!
- Richard

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