I am after some advice about technique I need to work on to get more consistent in really rough water. I am 75kg and normally ride a 95 l board and at my usual sea breeze setup is the axis hps 930 with a 400 progressive tail.The locations I sail at most are relatively flat water from 12-25 knots and I would classify myself as an intermediate and can gybe 100% swap feet both sides at these locations toeside tack consistently and perform basic jumps. There is a location 5 minutes from home and when I sail there I find it really hard.At this location there is wind against tide with short steep confused chop. A bigger low aspect foil gets pushed around by the chop so it makes pitch stability really challenging I would like to get more consistent and comfortable at this spot. Any advice on what technique to work on to better cope with these conditions.Also any advice on the best axis setup for confused sea conditions would be greatly appreciated.
Today was a good example, 25kn wind very choppy with 2ft waves, I comfortably did 19kn speed on the ART 699 with 325 rear wing ??
I think it is a matter of skill and personal preference. This is just my opinion:
My go to setup for messy, bigger and gusty conditions is the BSC810 (with 420 stab).
It is easy to handle, you can get it going quickly, it is still fast and fun!
I also have the ART 899 + 350p combo, and while I love it for flat water and light chop (and have absolutely no problem taking off),
I found it very hard to get it going in messy conditions (bc similar to the hps series, you need a bit of forward speed to take off and that can be a challenge with sudden wind drops and/or big waves shifting the surface level)
Of course the glide will be better with the ART - but that doesnt help when you can't get on foil :)
(80kgs and intermediate.)
Cheers,
nik
I don't ride Axis but for me I didn't enjoy going to an HA in confused chop and higher wind.
I do better downsizing to a mid aspect foil and using a big HA in light wind.
I think higher wind flat water or long period swell is where a small HA would shine.
Select to expand quoteWalls said..
axis hps 930 with a 400 progressive tail.
That's probably about the most user friendly axis setup across the widest range of conditions.
My ART 999 hates confused chop, esp with a HM mast it just feels all the chaos. I'm 95kg and try and get on the 830 HPS if there's good wind.
2nd that - HPS830 is great in choppy conditions. With a 325 tail i use it from light to up to medium windy - then switch to HPS700 for windy and bigger waves.
Great combo in waves/turbulence and chop - but I've not tried any ART.
I'm 90kg on a 80lt board
I usually use the crazy short advance,400P with 930. at +12kt. in smooth water.
In higher breeze and chop it can get uncomfortable close to the surface.
With the 300P it settles down a bit and makes fast pitch adjustment easier.
880/300P is better when the wind strength and chop increase.
810 has more initial lift but slower. Feels ok through chop.
Its good to try one change at a time. ie fuse only or stab only.
My reconning is less wingspan works in chop and current.
