I'm currently using a Starboard 11'2" for downwinders with the standard drake fin that comes with it. Yesterday doing a downwinder in 25knotts and decent swell I found the board often spinning out. Would a larger fin help when doing downwinders? I have a large Jimmy Lewis fin that originally came off an 11+ foot cruiser, would this be a better downwind option for the 11'2"?
These are the 2 fins that I have

DavidJohn said...

I'm not sure that 'spinning out' is the right words.

I reckon try the big fin.

DJ

Spinning out is probably not the right way to describe it, but more like losing control in the rougher conditions.
Spinning out was the problem I always encountered in my windsurfing days.

JonathanC said...

I'd try the big Jimmy for sure, looks just about perfect. It will make the board quite a bit more stable too (not that you really need that with the 11'2 Starboard!)

All the extra stability helps, especially when it starts to get a bit rougher, and you start getting tired and lose concentration, then the wheels start to fall off a bit!!

The Drake wave 22 compared to the Drake SUP 9"
Your welcome to come grab it if you like Hawkie

A lot of that nose diving rail grabbing all over the place thing is technique related. Down-winders are a completely different experience in terms of balance, moving around on the board and reading the water state, what at first seems like almost impossible conditions will become the ones you are hanging out for. The way to improve is just do more of them, I've been doing them for about 18 months and have probably done more than 100 down-winders and I reckon I learn something every time. I'm sure the fact that it is so challenging and at times pretty hairy is what makes it so much fun.

It's also bloody good exercise, we did two in a row a couple of weeks ago and I wore my heart rate monitor, total time on the water was 2 hours 39 and my average heart rate was 137 and peak of 168 (169 is my recommended 220 - age heart rate, but that was a fluke!). You paddle your guts out but you don't notice because you are having so much fun.

Alot of "spinning out" in downwinders is also from when the nose drops down a run the tail and fin lift out of the water losing your track. So a little more experience will help but it's hard to combat.