Have tried the V3 54 couple of times on very light wind form 6 kts to 12 kts on 12M Lithium.I am light 58kg. I find a struggle to go upwind at very light wind though planning. Has anyone try to use the race fin for the centre fin?? If so does it get much easier to go up wind? I was a wind surfer and always change to race fin when upwind is an issue. I like the loose feel of the V3 54 and wondering changing to race fin will make it harder to jibe and slash on swells and waves...cheers

put more weight through your front foot by swinging your hips further forward and letting the back of the board ride a little flatter, makes a huge difference.

Flatten out the board and just use the fins to go up wind. You have to ride the fin like you would on a windsurfer.

The "race" fin is much larger than the carving fins the 54 comes with -- if I understand what you mean by race fin. The Sector 60 and 66 three fin setups use Tuttle box for the rear center. The 54 uses mini-Tuttle. So that is not an option anyway. Besides, having the furthest back fin be the largest just makes it harder to turn.

My two cents are that either it is technique or the wind just isn't strong enough. There is a limit to every board. Although you are light and the board is big, maybe 6 knots just isn't enough.

- Droffats

www.adventurekiteboarding.com

Hi, having ridden my Sector 52 in pretty light winds , my top tip is to ride with your back foot out of the strap - flattens the board, engages more of the rail, and stops the board bogging down. Similar to going upwind on a surfboard. Good luck.

Thanks guys and will try this weekend

CHeers that's a good tip man. To the dude who made the post, 58 kg or not, 6 knots is 6 knots man, that means a lull could mean nearly no wind. Difficult proposition. Just a little too light I'd say.

My understanding is that upwind drive comes off of the front fins more than the rear. That is why race boards have two in front, one in back. The other factor is that they are more vertical, with less sweep, and are nearly perpendicular to the board -- at least relative to the "carve" fins.

So, if the wind isn't too light, your weight is balanced well, the board is flat, and you are still not going upwind, then try the front pair of fins from the quad set or the three (race) set. I bet you could still use the carve center rear with the front quad pair. Might make turns just dumb though.

- Droffats

www.adventurekiteboarding.com