Is foot strap position relative to fin size?

[grantmac017]

Given the few recent threads on all things footstrap I'm curious if their position is relative to fin size/strength and/or board width?
My longboard occasionally tries to climb up on the fin and given its fairly narrow width plus round deck I prefer having the straps in the outward position.
My 80cm freeride board on the other hand I have to sail very light on the heel pressure even with a 50cm fin and straps inboard.

Thoughts appreciated.

-Grant

[Brian.bigfella@gmail.com]

Yes.

A fun will lift towards the wind because of the drive of the water pushing against it. So it sort of tries to pivot from the board with the end pushing the upwind rail up. I think.

Anyway, the longer the fin the more force you need on the upwind rail to hold it down. The further outboard the straps are the easier that is. That's why formula boards have straps way out on the edge.

[isobars]

This doesn't answer your question directly, but it may help you resolve your issue as you venture into higher winds and terrain. It takes many sailors years to learn that those gigantic fins go with big boards and light winds (except for dedicated racerheds). I see one or two sailors every windy day trying to sail 80-90 L wave/B&J boards with 40 cm fins, who can't figure out why they get their butts handed to them in measly 25 mph winds.

Those concerns will disappear if and when you get the wind, equipment, desire, and skills to deliberately sail bumpier venues. The hassles you describe disappear in B&J/wave/freeride sailing powered up in winds averaging >20 mph and terrain big enough to PLAY WITH rather than just mash flat. With a 5.2 sail on an 80L board, fin lengths are in the low 20s (cm) and tail widths in the low 30s. Railing up doesn't exist even with single centered back straps.

Forewarned is forearmed.

[dllee]

Fin size.
Rider weight.
Rider foot size.
What the rider intends to do.
Board width.
Board tail width.
Board bottom shape.
Board outline.
Underpowered, correctly powered, overpowered.
Water state.
Steadiness of the wind.
Mast track location.
And at least several other factors affect footstrap location and size.

[grantmac017]

Mike:
The conditions and equipment your describe happen maybe 3-4 times a year here, deliberately ignoring our prevailing conditions and the kit that works in them is not something I'm going to do. I'm sure eventually I'll pick up a sinker and start traveling to more adventurous places but that is a way off.

Zirtaeb:
Any chance of throwing out a few generalities?

This thread is (in addition to some education) because I've noticed that when I'm comfortably blasting my front foot tends to want to move out of the strap (inboard location) until it's on the position that it would be with the strap outboard. However my rear foot is definitely most comfortable inboard.

I currently have the rear straps one hole from the back and fronts one from the front in the inboard positions. I am finding that I sail with a lot of back foot pressure which I'd like to tune out. I'd also like to pick up as much efficiency as possible since we don't get a tonne of wind and I like going fast.

-Grant

[isobars]

[grantmac017]

[willysp]

Hello,

http://jp-australia.com/2017/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2017-User-Manual.pdf

Page 4 does not directly answer your question but gives you the basics of footstraps position.

Willy

[dllee]

Grantmac...
Applies to all boards, including Formula and 12'4" Course Race longboards.
Where you stand, meaning footstrap position and size, including width, depends on a host of factors probably close to DOUBLE what I listed.
Like a car's accelerator pedal, or brake pedal, there are ENDLESS posibilities on pedal pressure and pedal percentage.

[sl55]