Bigger fins will improve your low end by quite a lot. It takes a bit technique to really get it right, but but you'll go faster and better in low wind.davesails7 wrote:I recently purchased a 2011 Cabrinha Race 183x59 and am really enjoying it, especially in light wind. It has the stock fins which I believe are about 20 cm long.
What do longer fins get you? Better upwind performance is obvious, but do they increase or decrease your low end? Is it harder to tack and jibe with longer fins?
My biggest problem getting used to the race board is trying to keep the board flat. With the footstraps all the way out on the rail I'm always edging too much (digging the heelside in).
I'm guessing the way this footstrap position is supposed to work is the windward heeling moment of the rider standing out on the rail is counteracted by the leeward heeling moment of the lateral force from the kite against the fins. Longer fins would mean more resistance from the fins and a longer moment arm, so wouldn't it be easier to keep the board flat with larger fins?
I went to the beach the other day and it was blowing about 4 or 5 knots. The tall grass on the dunes was just barely moving. I was surprised that I was able to get my Dyno 18 up in the air by reverse launching and running backwards. Once it was up there it stayed up at 12-oclock without issue, but I couldn't get enough power to get up riding on the board. So I can get my kite in the air without having enough power to ride, but maybe that will change as I get a little better with the raceboard.tautologies wrote:if I can keep the kite in the air, I can go kiting
I am sure someone better than me can answer this better, and I will not claim 5 knots (we have threads on this forum where people claim 2 knots which is simply not possible with current gear). It is so soft on the beach I can barely feel it and I have to run up the kite...however there is a little more wind off the beach. I am guessing it starts around 8 mph for me...I'm definitely first on the water. Last time I was out there were no whitecaps.davesails7 wrote:I'm in Virginia Beach. There are about 50-60 kiters in the area, but I think I'm the only one with a raceboard so far. Will have to let people try it out and try to recruit them so I have someone to race against.
I went to the beach the other day and it was blowing about 4 or 5 knots. The tall grass on the dunes was just barely moving. I was surprised that I was able to get my Dyno 18 up in the air by reverse launching and running backwards. Once it was up there it stayed up at 12-oclock without issue, but I couldn't get enough power to get up riding on the board. So I can get my kite in the air without having enough power to ride, but maybe that will change as I get a little better with the raceboard.tautologies wrote:if I can keep the kite in the air, I can go kiting
When it's super light is it better to start with your back foot out of the strap? I figured that this would keep the board flatter, planing faster, and weight a little forward until I can get enough speed to start riding off the fins?
Either way works. I answer what ever I know anything about, and see. For me it helps to think about how I perceive things Too much coffee helps.davesails7 wrote:That makes sense. Thanks for your help.
With the way my last few threads have gone, maybe I should just PM you with my race board questions? Haha
Yeah sorry about the wind link...added under.davesails7 wrote:The wind report didn't come up, but I checked Kailua for Dec 4 afternoon (I think you had said you ride at Kailua right?). Looks like averaging about 8 knots?
I had said that I was riding in 6 knots before based on the local wind sensors, but after more riding and looking at more wind data, I think I'm comfortably riding in more like 8 knots. Up on the board at 7 knots, but struggling.
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