Board Setup

Vent Plug

The “pressure valve” or “vent plug” located at the front of the mast box compensates for the difference in air pressure inside and outside the board, mostly caused by temperature and altitude changes.

OPEN THE VALVE OR PRESSURE SCREW FOR AIRPLANE TRANSPORT OR TRAVEL TO HIGH ALTITUDES. CLOSE THE VALVE FOR SAILING TO AVOID WATER INTAKE. STORE THE BOARD IN A COOL, DRY PLACE, NEVER INSIDE A CAR ON A HOT DAY OR IN A BOARD BAG WITHOUT PROPER HEAT REFLECTION. NEVER USE A SCREW GUN OR OVERTIGHTHEN THE VENT PLUG, THE RUBBER WASHER OR THE INNER PLASTIC THREAD COULD BREAK CAUSING A POSSIBLE LEAK.

Mast Foot

The first time you sail a board, place the mast foot in the center of the box. Once you are familiar with the board, you can try moving the mast 3 or 4 cm backward or forward to see if that helps you sail the way you want to.

Moving the mast foot forward will make you trim your board lower on the nose and higher on the tail. If you are finding it difficult to plane, or if you are trying to maximize the range of your board with a bigger sail size, this option might help (if it’s not overdone). Once you are planning with your feet in the foot straps, you will feel as if you are using a longer board. This is because the wetted surface area of your board, including the rails, has increased toward the nose. Another result you will notice is the ability to make longer turns with more consistent speed throughout, which is needed for side/offshore wave sailing conditions. In brief: Moving the mast foot forward helps you achieve early planning and longer, more stable turns.

Moving the mast foot back will make you trim the board higher on the nose and will reduce your wetted surface area, giving you the feeling that you are riding a smaller board. This makes it easier to lift the board out of the water for air freestyle moves, and it allows you to get more vertical while jumping and wave riding. This mast position is ideal for side/onshore wave sailing conditions. In brief: Moving the mast foot back helps you achieve a lively feeling and tight turns with a quick response.

Fins

We recommend using the fins we provide with your board, as each board comes with the fins designed to make it perform best for the broadest range of sail sizes, riders, and conditions.

US Box:

Insert the screw plate and fin into the US fin box at the bottom of the tail and secure the fin with the fin screw firmly in place. DO NOT USE AN ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER.

Power Box & Tuttle Box:

Insert the shaft or base of the fin into the fin box and tighten the fin screw with the plastic and stainless washers firmly in place. DO NOT USE AN ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER.

Fin Position:

Start by placing the fin in the center of the box. Then make small, 1-cm changes forward and backward until you find the position that suits you and your conditions.

When the fin is in a more forward position, it is closer to your back foot as you are riding in the foot straps, giving you a quicker response, increasing maneuverability, and helping you make tighter turns. The fin is too far forward for a particular sail, rider, or set of conditions when the board spins out or you find you do not have enough fin power, making it harder to plane or compromising your upwind ability.

When the fin is further back from your back foot as you are riding, it feels like a bigger fin, giving you more power, helping you plane faster, and adding drive and projection to your turns. The fin is too far back for a particular sail, rider, or set of conditions when the board is hard to turn and makes longer turns than you want it to.

Bigger Fin vs. Smaller Fin:

A bigger fin will make your ride more powerful, with more planning and upwind ability. It will also allow you to use a bigger sail. A smaller fin will let you ride faster and will allow you to make tighter turns.

Stiffer Fin vs. Softer Fin:

A stiffer fin may go faster but could create spin-outs, as the fin may not release pressure, inhibiting equal water flow on both sides of the fin. A softer fin may allow you to make tight turns without a bounce or spin-out, but a fin that is too soft may lose your speed and forward drive in your turns.