Which Sail

scargo · Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 235

To state the obvious, if you aren't in the straps you can't get much speed (unless you're Whitey showing off).
When wearing boots, don't just loosen the staps, try moving the screws out to wider hole locations. You want the strap holding the top of your foot more than the sides.
But do break the habit of riding atop the board. Plowing through gusts is an acquired skill, and with enough practice, you'll find that even the strongest gust can't dislodge you. When I see one coming, I think about sinking as low as I can in the harness. Think of the tug-of-war position. This also rakes the mast back, dramatically reducing the wind's leverage, and puts on a lot of MFP. And of course you can pinch upwind like crazy, which ends up being money in the bank that can be dispersed during the next lull.

ChopEater · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Central NJ, USA

SweetwaterDave · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 14

To joethewindsufa the experiment went great. I gave the 6.6 extra downhaul and went out. There were times that I was hanging on for dear life, enjoying the bracing Wisconsin October water, and sometimes needed to jump out of the straps when the gusts let off. It would be my belief that the more modern sail was the better choice despite being a little big for the conditions. I am just learning to use the straps, and when I am not successful I wonder if it is because I don't have enough sail/wind or skill level. Power was not the problem, and I found it to be the easiest to get in the straps than I have experienced. It was truly awesome! I know this is a controversial subject and don't want to redirect this thread, but for what it's worth, I found that if I got in the rear strap first, the board became controlled, felt balanced, and I could get into the front strap easily. Iso-- I definitely learned something in these challenging conditions and can't wait to get out again in high winds. I will get a smaller modern sail so I will be ready for the next opportunity.

ChopEater · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Central NJ, USA

FreakDrew · Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Posts: 9

As long-time midwestern gusty weather lake sailor (inland & Great), I would suggest to anyone looking for a comfortable ride in gusty weather that they take a look at Hot Super Freaks.

They are dacron (of a far better quality than 30 years ago) with a kevlar "frame". They do a fantastic job of taking the edge off the gusts, and you don't feel beat up after a session. They are fast, but they ease into their speed... it's like they have a clutch Smile

I've been using mine since 2005, and I can honestly say I wouldn't want any other sails, even if they were free.

Drew (not sponsored or anything, just a really happy customer!)

boardsurfr · Joined: 23 Aug 2001 Posts: 312

ChopEater, the SuperSport is not the best board to learn getting into the straps. A board that would allow more inboard back straps would make your life easier and let you sail faster.

On the SuperSport, the first thing to try is to move the straps more to the inside. If you can't move the straps inboard, try making them larger. That will make it easier to get into the straps. Freestyle and wave sailors sometimes have them so large that you slip in up to the shins (you may not want to make them quite that wide, but even a bit helps). You may have to unscrew the straps, and move the screws to the the holes on the outside of the straps.

Once you get the hang of getting into the rear strap, you can move it more outboard again and make it smaller.

As for the "mechanical bull ride" in chop: bend your knees!

ChopEater · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 66 Location: Central NJ, USA

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 11482