I have been struggling to consistently get upwind. Some times I send it and get some time sailing off the wind as a result other times I spend the whole session on the wind just to return where I launched from. After two years I have the basics sorted, I can control ride height and fly clear of the water indefinitely. I am starting to make gybes with out falling. The problems are worse under 10 knots of wind with my 7.5 and its easier in breeze with my smallest sail. But I just feel like I am missing something going uphill.

My kit:
Horue Tiny 120L,
Horue Vini with xlw and lw wings
Severn Gator 7.5 Sailworks Flyer 6.0, Naish Nalu 4.5
I weight 220# or 100kg


Here is what I have been focusing and trying:

I believe I have my kit balanced aggressively for lift, I moved the straps back and out and set the stab with max lift angle and keep the mast back in the track. With this set up I fly early and need to bend front leg or move my head forward to control ride height. (stage 3 in Slingshot terminology)

I try to keep the board heeled to windward, both feet outboard on the rail and front foot heel down.

I try to get my body out over the water more.

I focus on leaning the rig back and sheet in.

I focus on looking upwind, twisting my head and torso to pull from the hook and sheet in.

I try and drive the sail load through the back leg and keep my shoulders forward to control ride height.

What else should I be doing?

Many thanks, I am sure I am not the only one with these struggles! I am basically one of the few windsurfers in my area (Charleston SC USA) and the only one foiling so forums and vids are my only source.