fin question - spinout

fin question - spinout

Post by Eric Johns » Thu, 03 Jun 1993 22:35:36


While sailing a few days ago somewhat overpowered on a 5.8 (there were other
sailors powered on 5.0s) on my Seatrend 9'5 w/ 14" Rainbow Litespeed fin, I
found myself occasionally starting to spin out. (Other possibly relevant
data - I weight 185lbs and there was substantial chop on the day in question.)

I was always able to recover by tucking my back leg in and heading slightly
off the wind, but I'm wondering what steps I can take to reduce the problem.
It happened to me four times over a full day's sailing so I wouldn't say that
it is interfering with my fun, but it is a little disconcerting to find
oneself going sideways. :-) Would moving my fin back help? There is room to go
one more inch back. I wasn't having problems closing the gap but then I was
running with the mast a little forward since I was overpowered. Would moving
the fin all the way back help with the spinout problem (and maybe allow me to
move the mast further back and hopefully pick up a bit more speed at the
same time)? I was also feeling that I had too much fin - could this be a
contributor to the problem?

Also (and perhaps in particular), is there something I might be doing wrong
wrt my technique which would be likely to induce spinout? (Guesses would be
welcome - what things should one be sure NOT to do?)

TIA for any advice!

Eric
--

(613) 591-0931

 
 
 

fin question - spinout

Post by Brad Ritt » Thu, 03 Jun 1993 23:54:39

: While sailing a few days ago somewhat overpowered on a 5.8 (there were other
: sailors powered on 5.0s) on my Seatrend 9'5 w/ 14" Rainbow Litespeed fin, I
: found myself occasionally starting to spin out. (Other possibly relevant
: data - I weight 185lbs and there was substantial chop on the day in question.)

I assert that being overpowered does significantly increase the likelyhood of
spinout.  You end up pushing more on the board as a defensive measure even at
moments when you are not actually overpowered.  So, my technique suggestion is
to be very aware of the amount of sideways pressure you are using on the board.

You mentioned moving the fin.  I think that does have an effect.  Another thing
that I haven't seen anyone else mention in past "spinout" threads is mast foot
position.  I was recently sailing a 4.7 in overpowered conditions having quite
a bit of trouble with spinout.  I noticed that my mast base had slipped forward
in the mast track.  Once I moved it back where it should be I experienced a
dramatic decrease in my spinout problem.

Brad Ritter