I suspect the mast-track setting is relative to the height of your boom which in turn is (mostly) relative to your height, moreso than your weight. My goal is always to set the boom and foot to allow me to sit comfortably over the straps, and set the harness lines to balance the sail at that point.

I think the changes in mast track positioning is due to the changing nature of windsurfing (some truly inspired, others just the vogue of the times). Our harness lines are longer, stances are much more upright, more width/less nose are all contributing to mast track characteristics.

Any board shapers here to tell us how you determine where the mast track goes and how long it needs to be? There must be some sort of rule-of-thumb.

If you are saying you are setting your foot at 1300 and it is close to the end, well then when you mount your new track, mount it 15-20 mm past this point to allow you a little breathing space and you should be good to go.

mr love said...

No simple answer as it is determined by the board design. Rocker ,outline and strap position all have a bearing before you even start considering rider weight, height and sea and wind conditions. Then on top of that fin size and type impact the best mast position.
Unfortunately you cannot just pluck out a figure and say "that works for Wave boards" it is totally incorrect to do so.
The biggest change between the modern wide boards and the older boards is the outline and rocker. The flat section of the rocker on the new boards has been able to be shortened due to the extra width. In line with this the mast track and strap locations have moved rearwards.

In addition older boards, and when you mentioned a MD tri fin I'm thinking '80s, board volume was much further forward as was the shoulder of the board which brought the mast track forward as well. This took care of the nose from easily sinking. Modern boards have their volume further back, basically the opposite of where they were back then and now under the riders feet instead of around the mast.

Sails around that time also had their draft further back. This in turn meant a different sailing stance with a more leaning back and out body possie as the sails were leant back more which put your harness lines roughly over the straps. I've recently noticed this as I've only just returned to the sport with modern 2-3 year old sails and it's taking me a long time to get my head around how to position my body to get the most out of it on a modern board. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks as they say.

If you plan to use modern sails on an older board ('80s), which I've yet to try, I'm guessing that because of the forward draft of modern sails the foot straps would be in an uncomfortable position eg. too far back, because of the track position and body position out only. Moving the track back would only put more bouyancy on the nose and I reckon it'll swing like a pendulum and handle like crap in marginal winds but be OK in high wind.

But what do I know, like I said I'm guessing. BTW I've noticed some slalom boards are now moving the shoulders of their boards forward again (Carbon Art - nice looking boards) but have kept their volume under and the mastrack and under the riders weight. A bit of old and a bit of new?