Sport Today

On boards with a mast track, what are the factors that determine where
the mast should be placed?

I recently bought a Mistral Diamond Head board (9'), with a mast track
numbered from 0-10 (0 being towards the front of the board; 10 being towards
the back).  When is it best to move the mast towards the front, and when is it
best to move it back?

|> I recently bought a Mistral Diamond Head board (9'), with a mast track
|> numbered from 0-10 (0 being towards the front of the board; 10 being towards
|> the back).  When is it best to move the mast towards the front, and when is it
|> best to move it back?

This may be a simplistic answer, and I think (and kind of hope) it will
start more physics of sailing posts.  When I set my harness lines, I
think to the last sail I used, and move the lines about an inch forward
for each sail size decrease.  So if I had the 6.0 up, and I put the
4.7 up, I  move the lines forwards 2 inches.  I do the same with the
mast track, coming back with smaller sails.  With my big 6.0, the mast
is 1/3 back from the nose in the track (I don't know why, but it works).
Then I come back about 2 inches per sail size down (6.0, 5.3,4.6 . . .).
If the wind is strong, and I have trouble keeping the thing on the
water, I may move the mast forwards.  Or find flat water and scream.
This is all theoretical though, because There hasn't been wind in about
2 month up here.

Dan

things looked promising on cayuga lake today: windy everywhere,
storm/hail/tornado warnings, i went to the beach before work and it was wall
to wall whitcaps, BUT, by the time i got there after work - well, you lake
sailors know the rest and the others would just snicker.  i only got in the
straps 3 or 4 times, and then only for 10 s max.  i had only packed up to my
6.1 and then found i had the wrong mast, the base got stuck, etc etc so i
was "Team Rig" for about an hour. most of the sailing time i was in the toilet
(that's what that non-planing noise reminds me of).  i am 200 lb and there were
lightweights out there with 6.6 and up.  even they weren't planing all the
time.  i didn't smile much.  it was down
to 12 or 15 before common sense took over and i gave up.  i got good at my light
wind waterstart.  and then i broke my skeg on the garage door when i got home
(start violins here).  you guys on the ocean or big lakes, just remember that
when we hear "25 knots" it's really 8-25 on a 5-10 second timescale (rest of
orchestra chimes in).  2:1 max:min is a rare GOOD day 4:1 or 5:1 is more
typical.  i spent more time sailing in cape hatteras 2 weeks ago where we got
3 out of 6 than i have on cayuga in the past year (big finish with cymbals).

for sale: beat up O'Brien 9'4", beat up Bic loooongboard, ancient RAF sails:
3.7, 4.0, 4.5, 4.9, 5.0, 5.4, 6.1 (really beat up, will give to anyone),
7.8 north (used but good), several old-style
(short batten) sails (10 years old), several fiberglass masts, 14.5-15+ft,
old booms (non-clamping), old misc boards: 1 wooden, shaped like a small
sunfish, another wooden, flat bottom, 2 goolies (the brits may know what these
are - soft foam), misc parts (wsh mast bases, misc seat and chest harnesses).
shipping included, $3.50 (US) takes the lot - i'll write you a check or send
cash as you prefer.

i'm keeping the HiFly with the 6.4 for my wife, she's light enough to have fun,
and it's her board, anyway.

(sigh)

I think on a Diamond Head you can keep the mast all the way back unless
you're using an old race sail ('89 or older) larger than 6.4 square meters.