how to start planing in mild conditions?

[chaned99]

In current mild wind conditions off ECP I find impossible to even begin planing.  I've read the technical stuff on stance and also some other info about trying to hang off the boom, give it a few pumps and have as little weight on the board as possible but there is just too little power in the sail.  My rig is 8.5sq.m and board is a Starboard 158.

Will moving up to a 10.5sq.m will be the magic bullet? (all associated costs of longer mast and boom)

Wld appreciate some pointers

Many thnks

[chaned99]

btw - am 75kgs

[<Moon>]

Well, first off, there is such a thing as too little wind. I.e. there simply may not be enough wind to get to a plane at all. This is especially the case lately :-(

Also, more sail will help a bit, but only to a certain point, as more sail/rig means more weight, and thus more drag in light wind conditions.

In short, the wind needs to be above a certain threshold for your gear, your body weight, your skill level etc. in order to be able to get to a plane.

The last one, skill level, is a rather unquantifiable one. Some surfers "feel" the wind and tune their gear so well they get onto a plane much earlier than average surfers.

Practice makes perfect.

Finally, something the "technical stuff" may not have mentioned. The extra few knots of waterspeed you get by surfing directly into the current can just edge you into a plane. Your absolute board speed won't necessarily be higher this way, but you'll plane that little bit earlier.

[sukhdev]

are you stuck while others on similar sized gear are planing or do you want to catch up with the real early planers on 10s and 11s?

what are your settings like for boom height, track position, feet while not planing?

sail rigging? full? too much downhaul? just right?

as the above implies its a bunch of factors that contribute to early planing but really the key thing is the first question. if the answer is that you are not planing while others one similar sized gear are then you need to start some diagnosis on 3 areas - set up (rig/board/fin), stance and technique. best way for set up is to go bug someone experienced to take a look for u. other two, hmm..merit a long topic on their own entirely.

[Jen]

Hello

Sorry to jump on this thread

But if you do decide to switch to a 10.5, I have a nitro 5 10.5 which I am willing to swap for an 8.5. My stuff is in good condition

Email jisee@hotmail.com or call me at 97610935 to further details

Thanks

Jen

[chaned99]

thnks folks. will just have to be a bit thickskin and ask those guys that are planing away.

[Meng]

quote:Originally posted by chaned99:
thnks folks. will just have to be a bit thickskin and ask those guys that are planing away.

dun even think of thick skinned.
i'm very sure the better sailors will share their experiences with u whenever u approach them.
by May 06, the windsurfing population will be based at PA.
some of the competitive ones are planning informal racing/training sessions on the weekend.

info will be posted on the notice board or shop.

all are welcome to join for skill improvement.

[blackhawk]

Wow thats a great idea.. Looking forward to learn from u Meng!!