Automatic upwind

[Super-X]

Hello,

Last weekend I wass wel poweredup and sometimes overpowered with my 4.5 sail. Everytime when the winds becomes stronger I go automatic upwind instead of half wind. My question is there anything I can do about that? Is that a tuning problem or a stance problem?

Thanks!

[sukhdev]

there is a point of being overpowered where everyone ends up being driven upwind, but if this is happening to you while others are sailing comfortably (or sort of comfortably) then you are right, its got to be stance or equipment or both.

equipment : assuming the size is ok, is it rigged with sufficent downhaul/outhaul? If you can get someone proficent to tune for you and test it, that would be a great help.
fin too big? this can be a real issue, again, ask/look at your sailing spot as to what others are using.

stance: in overpowered conditions there is a tendency to hold onto the front section of the boom, ending up in a twisted forward stance.this opens up the sail as well as puts weight on the windward rail. stand more square and weight the sail more. in really strong winds experts will adopt long lines/lower booms/butt out in order to keep the board down.

i'd start with rigging first and then work from there.