One more fin

rtz · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 296 Location: Oklahoma City

I was hooking in some today with the 5.5.

Kite handles have a 'strop' line between them to hook to a harness. I'm use to that and done it a lot. But I never once had the impression I continually did today with these harness lines.

I think it had something to do with them being rigid and retaining their shape when not in use. I couldn't shake the thought of it and a hanging noose. The similarities.

Riding around unhooked looking at it; knowing I was going to have to at some point; and dreading it. It felt reckless and like possible instant death.

Anyone else initially ever have the same thought about them?

Riding around in light wind strong arming it is a totally different activity then riding hooked in.

I'm still trying to figure out how to anchor down the sail so it doesn't take me off the board. I got 30" harness lines and they don't by any means seem too short. And those back foot strap positions seem so far away. Like miles away.

windward1 · Joined: 18 Jun 2000 Posts: 1400

rtz,

So have you hooked in and leaned back when sailing with the harness and harness lines? I could not tell from your description.

You will just have to work through your fear of the "noose". I never had it. I was too busy listening to my arms begging me to get hooked in.

W1

rtz · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 296 Location: Oklahoma City

I have hooked in. But the wind was light and I only went over with the sail once in a gust.

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

as i have said before ...

i made homemade soft rope lines - longer than 30 inches
put them beside the "rigid" lines
able to hook in , in very light winds - to overcome the "fear"
took less than one season
AHD FF160 with MS Pursuit 8.5 @220 pounds

ss59 · Joined: 10 Nov 2016 Posts: 104

grantmac017 · Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946

PeconicPuffin · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 1830

Take a lesson or two. You aren't going to solve these challenges with gear purchases.

If lessons are unavailable have someone shoot video of you sailing, and post some clips here. You'll get feedback from people who can see what you're doing (and not doing.)

I remember in my own first year insisting that the back foot strap was too far back to use. Until my friend jumped on my gear, went shooting around in both straps, jibed etc.

You need some basic techniques.

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

rtz,

have you sailed without hooking in, and had enough wind to lean way back into the wind? In order to do that, you have to learn to control the wind gusts, without automatically sheeting out (letting the back end of the sail out to avoid catapult.

You need to learn to use the sail to direct wind into more speed, by quickly using your weight by leaning into the wind and directing its force through your feet (particularly your front foot) into the board to get more speed.

When that becomes automatic, you will find that hooking in does not present a psychological problem, because your instincts will be compensating for more wind.

Best,

rtz · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 296 Location: Oklahoma City

48, 40, 34

ss59 · Joined: 10 Nov 2016 Posts: 104

I was using K4 fins last weekend, a tri-fin set up 18cm rear + 12cm fronts - all rockets, with a 4.7, getting a bit spin out. It was suggested that I could try sanding the surface a little as they have a very shiny finish out of the factory (as you can see in RTZ's photo)- anyone else tried this?

The other suggestion was to switch to Black Project.....