We’ve all been there: when the wind’s just right and you’ve finally got your gear set up, all that matters is the time spent on the water. Or, when foiling, in the air. If you then realise that something’s not quite right with the trim, you need to sort it out quickly. I must admit – at least when windsurfing for fun – that I’m also very good at overcoming that inner struggle. That’s why I prefer the adjustments you can make whilst actually out on the water (harness line length and position). Next comes the boom height (you just need to stop briefly – no need to dismount). The sheet trim and footstrap width can also be adjusted whilst still in the water. For the luff, however, you have to head back to the beach to tighten it (loosening it can usually be managed whilst floating in 7 out of 10 attempts).
"It’s often really worth going the extra mile to the car to fetch the screwdriver."
Loop positions are often overlooked
The strap position is the very last step in the tuning process. Yet there’s a great deal of potential here – especially when it comes to foiling. The trend is towards a wider ‘stance’, i.e. a wider stance width than in fin freeriding. To achieve this, it’s worth taking a closer look at the corresponding strap pegs for the front and rear straps. So don’t just screw them in “centre front, centre rear”; try shifting just the front or rear strap instead. A shift of 2.5 centimetres makes a noticeable difference, but you can go further if you like. In our test on the Severne Alien, moving the front strap one hole forward from the centre already made a noticeable difference. The wider ‘sailor’s stance’ feels much more secure throughout and allows for better control over the board’s lift in gusts. It’s also easier to steer the bow during a jibe. Moving the front strap two or three holes forward only makes sense if the board is constantly lifting its nose out of the water. This is because a strap mounted too far forward can also lead to an unwanted touch-down when changing feet during a jibe, if the ‘new front’ foot in the strap puts too much weight on the front of the board in the final phase of the turn. Experience shows that you quickly get used to a wide ‘John Wayne stance’ – which may feel a bit unusual at first – and experimenting with the straps is an effective, free way to noticeably improve the trim.
The following tips will help you find the best settings for your board:
- As a general rule, try standing with your feet one or two holes wider apart
- If the sail rises unintentionally in gusts and also when jibing: move the front loop forwards
- If the board takes off very late: move the rear strap back
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
