spinout

[Peter]

How do I prevent this? Seeing others go upwind so easily makes me wonder is there something I'm doing wrong? My board is F2 Xantos 290 and sails Free Slalom 7.5, Freeride 6.5 and 5.7. I have asked some folks on the beach and most blame the fin. Is that the only thing?

[Unregistered]

Peter,

with that board and sailsize you have specified, it is or a really bad fin or just a to small fin.
In most cases, it is to small.

What is your weight? and what fin + size do you use on the board.

My recomandation would be to use a fin between 38-44 cm on that board.

Ifyou want to improve with your current fin, try reducing the pressure by moving the straps more forward. Also putting the mast more forward can help, but the board can start to stick if you do this too much. In most cases a bigger fin is a better solution.

all the best

[Koen B-12]

In my hurry to answer your question, I forgot to login,

so this was my advice above,

all the best

[Peter]

I've tried a new fin. Its a 42cm. I still spin out. I am 78 kg 185cm. My sailing sessions are on weekends for the last 2 years. Next weekend, I hope to sail some. This one was ruined by chores.

[Unregistered]

Hi
It could be any # of things..even fin, as fin size alone is not the cure, you must have fins that are foiled well and don't spinout.
Could be you stand with your backfoot loading the fin before your board has a chance to pick up speed. Most fins don't get their lift until some speed is attained.
Could be you are overpowered by your sail, as you are medium weight and your board is huge, needing bigger fins.
Are you able to sail in the straps and beam/broad reaching?
Are you downhauling your sails correctly, to get twist at the top 2.5 battens?

[Peter]

I read the instructions on how to rig my sails. That part has never been a problem. I guess its my fault, so i hope to get some TOW to find the solution. Thanks for the replies.

[Jason Voss]

Hi Peter,

Too big, too small, and not enough $$ spent on a fin will make a board spin out. You didn't say what size sail you used with the new fin. A 42 cm fin is pretty big for that board and anything smaller than a 7.5

Keep an eye on your boom height too. If a board is over finned or under finned your boom height, harness hook height, and harness line length will influence how soon spinout can or will occur.

If your 42 cm fin works with the 7.5 and not much else then look into asking Santa for a 38 cm fin with close to the same plan form. (overall outline)

If you don't think buying more gear will fix the problem, book a "stance lesson" with your local windsurfing instructor. I'm sure you'll get extra pointers from him or her you weren't even expecting. Lessons are worth more than a formula (70cm) fin milled out of Gold! they also cost a lot less the last time I checked my rate per billable hour. No local instructor? Look me up and I'll take care of you. My next trip out of CA is to FL the end of Feb.

waiting for more wind in the SF Bay area,

Jason Voss, US - 8

www.JRVwindsurfing.com
www.windsurfinginstruction.com
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[Peter]

Thanks Jason. someone else mentioned the 42 might be too big for my smaller sails too. I guess the Hydrotech Freeride 32 might be the best. Two other sailors have suggested that for higher winds. I've got some ideas and your suggestions might be all I need once I can sneak out of the routine stuff.

[Unregistered]

While a whole bunch of things can cause spinout the two things I find mostly to be the culprit are stance and or sail tuning. I use a 7.4 with anything between a 30cm to 38cm fin, depending on conditions, and they work . If in doubt use more downhaul on the sail, particularly the more modern sails. eg. my Pryde sails look over downhauled but theyre not. Too much back hand pressure will cause spin out, which is usually due to compensation by back foot pressure.

Des