I'm going the other way with my Tabou Rockets. I usually place the mastfoot in the middle on the basis that I didn't really know where to put it and if its in the middle then its probably halfway right or wrong.

The last few sails I've placed the mastfoot at the back, especially on the bigger board. Its a bit more lively having the mast foot at the back.

I think if the board is bouncing around and out of control the moving the mastfoot forward will improve control. I haven't had any issues with nose dive on my Rockets. I've sailed out in the ocean off South West Rocks with them too. The bigger one's nose slaps into the back of chop as its so broad and big but it hasn't dived.

Mobydisc said...

I'm going the other way with my Tabou Rockets. I usually place the mastfoot in the middle on the basis that I didn't really know where to put it and if its in the middle then its probably halfway right or wrong.

The last few sails I've placed the mastfoot at the back, especially on the bigger board. Its a bit more lively having the mast foot at the back.

I think if the board is bouncing around and out of control the moving the mastfoot forward will improve control. I haven't had any issues with nose dive on my Rockets. I've sailed out in the ocean off South West Rocks with them too. The bigger one's nose slaps into the back of chop as its so broad and big but it hasn't dived.

I have just left it there because that's where Gybesports said to put it..

I think generally more modern boards have their mast track further back than older boards. Check out the pictures of early 80 shortboards to get extreme examples of this.

So on older boards I'd be sticking the mast track as far as it can get, especially with more modern sails.

ducati said...

132-134cm from the tail is a good starting point with modern sails, if it's too lively/uncomfortable go fwd a bit and if it catches rail and ploughs into the chop go back a bit
If you sit your boards on the ground and line up the finbox/backstraps you'll find your old waveboard will have the masttrack waaay further forward than your Tabou
So put a texta mark at 132/134cm and work off that

edit ooops Moby beat me toit sorry o wise one

Totally agree - you must measure the position of the mast track. 135 on my Tabou is right at the front of the box, 135 on my Exocet is right at the back. Since measuring them, I have got so much more performance from them.

Also keep in mind boom height when considering mast track position - they are directly related through geometry. From what I can gather, most of the "quicks" find the sweet spot for the mast foot and then adjust control through boom height. In overpowered conditions drop the boom a little. Guess it's a bit like downhaul / outhaul - most find the down haul sweet spot and adjust outhaul to conditions.

That said, if you're struggling in marginal conditions, putting the mast foot forward will get you planing quicker, just as letting a bit of downhaul off will give a bit more power. Always exceptions to the rule

sboardcrazy said...
I was a little less overpowered but not a lot & the gybes even seemed easier..?

excellent news, although I'm slightly jealous you get to sail that much!!

the forward mast-foot may have helped your gybes by keeping pressure on the nose through the turn.

keeping the nose down carves through chop easier and carries more speed through the turn. especially effective if you oversheet going into the carve.