Windsurfing Magazine

kristin
2008-04-03 10:31:14 | 313 views | 0 Comments

Remember when you could count on one hand the number of shortboard tacks done at your local sailing site? Why the sudden urge to tack a shortboard?

Simple, because as you keep bearing off in search of lighter-wind planing, you inevitably find yourself downwind. And rather than losing more ground on jibes, the obvious solution is to tack.

Of course, the tack itself can provide a slew of problems. One of the most common is when the sail falls to windward as you make the transition to the leeward side of the board. When this happens next time, instead of reaching for the sail and pulling it, go against your natural instinct and push!

If you tap or lightly push against the boom or foot of the sail behind the balance point (back harness line), it should return to an upright position without backwinding you into the drink. The key is to sheet in the clew (by backwinding it) just enough for the sail to return to you. Then, once it's upright, sheet out or luff the sail. If the sail doesn't luff upright, you won't have enough leverage to stand on the leeward side of the sail with power in it, which will make it impossible to finish the tack.

If you push the entire time behind the balance point, you'll find yourself falling in to leeward with the sail on top of you. Remember, with just a tap or light push, you should be able to maintain your spot over the centerline of the board and stay dry.