I've just got a 78 ltre board to use in 25kts +.It's a Tabou Pocket Wave 2005.I know I could probably have gone smaller but we don't often get consistent wind that strong here and this board was available for a test etc.
Took it for a test sail.Wow - what a difference! I actually enjoyed 25- 30kts and only had to worry about the sail being overpowering..It was lovely not to get bashed about like I do on the 95ltres..( I'm 64kgs).
Certainly gybes quickly! I was worried about using a smaller board as I havent used anything smaller than the 95 for 18months & previously my 86 ltre old board was my smallest.I actually pulled off the first 2 gybes!
Then it went downhill but I actually got about half a dozen.
The problem will be that I'll only get to use it half a dozen times a year so it will be hard to practise gybes.
I noticed it was very ' skatey' if I put any weight on my back foot going upwind but if it spun out it was easy to get back in.Gybed it on the face of a big chop & wow! it really grabbed & carved around ( I lost it on the exit).
For some reason I always sail a new board better the first time than the following sails [}:)]
but hopefully I'll enjoy the next sail as much.Now I know why everyone else on their small boards in big winds don't get buggered after half an hour!
Yep..I was wondering if you got the massive stack I did gybing there..it was just when the gybes started going wrong..
Cripes I've got to straighten that front arm tip the rig into the gybe and go with it,get lower, keep further forward![}:)] Easy to see what you are doing wrong.. not as easy to fix it..I have felt what it feels like to let myself go forward with the rig so at least I know what it feels like..
I dont always wear a helmet but I thought being my first time on a new board it was probably a good idea..wasn't really an issue though.I think I need it more on the 95 in those conditions!
I won't be as big a dag now I have my new buoyancy vest!
although you said you stacked it next, that gybing picture actually looks pretty good. i can tell from the wake you've carved nicely, and the nose is only just starting to lift before the flip, so you've kept up speed.
elbows down (keeps the nose down), rear hand back (pulls you over the centreline + more rig control), heel up (weight on the inside rail) = good form.
suspect you just need to flip a touch earlier now and you'll rocket out! giddey-up!
Thanks..I want more room between me & the rig..
I should be set now! Bring on the wind! 
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If it comes on Friday am maybe.. suposed to be kayaking Fri pm /Sat..
Have to work on the priorities....when it's windy, go windsurfing [}:)]
The gybe looks a bit too heavy on the back foot.
But you must be happy with the new (correct) mast - the sail set looks spot on
Select to expand quoteDezza said...
If it comes on Friday am maybe.. suposed to be kayaking Fri pm /Sat..
Have to work on the priorities....when it's windy, go windsurfing [}:)]
I've been working on that.. I maybe able to sailboard in am & go crew on a yacht after...cross fingers
That's a good size for you as it has enough float to slog around if the wind drops - although the short length makes that a bit more tricky. Sail range is supposed to be 4.2 to 5.7m so as you develop the skill at getting it going, you should find you get to use it more than you expect.
A review by a sponsored rider.http://www.boardseekermag.com/equipment_reviews/sailor/tabou_pocketwave78_05.htm
) and thinking crap..now somehow I've got to get my foot out of the rear strap to start the gybe and let myself get pulled forward by the rig...
) and thinking crap..now somehow I've got to get my foot out of the rear strap to start the gybe and let myself get pulled forward by the rig...
Hey Sue, looking good! I'm having the same probs as you but you are already way in front of me, I run out of puff in the middle of the gybe coz I'm not leaning forward enough and have too much weight on my back foot. Strange thing is I know what I'm doing wrong but the brain ain't correctin' it!
I've come up with an idea to all the experts. Sorry Sue not meaning to hijack your thread...but it could be useful for us both?
To really allow all the elements required for a carve gybe to be consistent (at speed) would it be a good idea if I practiced a carving 360? Coz I reckon this will force me to commit leaning into the turn with the sail and weight forward. To enable this to happen the sail has to be leaned perpendicular to the board and basically pointing into the centre of the circle in an imaginary pivot point. I'm not going to worry about the outcome of the 360, I could never come out of them correctly in the past anyway, I just want board and sail control/positon to stick in my head.
I'll worry about flipping the rig later.
Oh the other thing, while practicing this should I keep my rear foot in the strap (centre single strap wave style) or out gybe style? I only ask this as I want to practice for bottom turns too.
Any of this a good idea or bad?
I'm still trying to improve my % of planing exits.
Its much much easier in strong wind and flat water, so I'd recommend seeking that out for practising, but its usually rare.
Different boards will have an ideal radius of turn to keep them planing fast and its important to find out what it is. Also, the faster you go, the bigger the radius, and as the board slows round the gybe, it could be tightened slightly.
I think the key thing to planing exits is controlling the boards trim and radius of turn to keep the speed as high as possible.
Dont worry about planing exits unless there is enough wind for you to go into the gybe so fast you can imagine keeping the board planing without using the sail until you are exiting 45 degrees off the wind.
I comfort myself that coming out planing in lighter winds and choppy short waves needs a high skill level, so I dont get frustrated.
Did you get out on it today? It was blowing hard in Sydney. I used my Tabou Rocket 105 and could have easily used an 80L board but I don't have one, at least not one made this century
Not brillant but getting around.I used some of the tips..leaned the rif into the turn ,aggressively pulled it back as I flipped & flipped earlier & it worked! That was if I wasn't really overpowered. I almost got one planing one in the chop but fell off the back.[}:)]
He had too much sail up . It was protected where we set off .I kept telling him it was 20 -25kts+ out there but it took halfway around the race before he reeefed & admitted he should have earlier. .You don't realise how much you rely on walking/ driving until you can't.. I better be right by next Thursday for the next S..[}:)] My partner went on another boat & he's pulled some muscles in his chest so we're both the walking wounded.. I think we're getting too old for this crewing business..At least if you have your own boat you can put appropriate sails up & get decent winches to make it easier..
Now that you have a snappy little board try some fun jibes. Smack it into a piece of swell and spin it around in a tight radius jibe... with plenty of back foot pressure. You'll be surprised how quickly it will change directions and how much beach cred you'll get.
Not brillant but getting around.I used some of the tips..leaned the rif into the turn ,aggressively pulled it back as I flipped & flipped earlier & it worked!
