Do smaller boards require a lower boom height more upright stance? I had trouble with my 95ltre board rounding up as I tried to beach start yesterday & noticed I had the boom pretty high like I have on my 125ltre bigger board. I was buggered so lack of energy was an issue but wondering if the boom had been lower at chest height if it would have been easier...
If gusty and overpowered at times, it could also be as simple as the conditions meant that you were not game to lean forward as much as you should when water/beach starting, and putting too much weight on your back foot as a self preservation mechanism.
Much easier to diagnose the problem if you've used the same setup in a very constant wind of same strength, as when it is very up n down, or very overpowered at times, all manner of things can go wrong as you over compensate
I was buggered so lack of energy was an issue
That was the issue, just about 100 parrrcentages guaranteed.
When not buggered, point fraction more down wind, and make sure your feet land in the middle on take off, or toe pressure, no heal pressure. 
Doesn't take much to dig the inside rail in on a small board compared to the larger one you have.
Doesn't take much to dig the inside rail in on a small board compared to the larger one you have.
It's easier to keep the nose off the wind if you put the mast a bit further forward in the track. Some say you're supposed to keep it back in the track for more speed potential etc. but I've only ever found it made boards easier to sail if you push it forward.
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YES though I think its more to do with the width.
on my 75 wide board i run at shoulder height and my speed board a touch about nipple height
Small boards just round up quicker than bigger ones. If you were a bit buggered, that compounds the problem. You need to get well planing before hooking in, or be well practiced at leaning on the harness but keeping the board flat and pushing it downwind. I'm a lazy bugger, so I'm well practiced at that approach.
Sounds like being buggered was a big bit. I hadnt thought of how twitchy a small board would be to foot pressure & I was probably pulling the sail back & over me when the gusts hit from " fear'.Also I have the mast foot as far back as I can get it because thats where it needs to be on my 125ltre board for best performance.I noticed even with the track full back with the little board it still has too much in the water..but that could be why it is trying to round up..?
Been like an old beaten up fighting dog since my last sail..under the house licking my wounds.
.tailbone still too sore to kayak , cycle or ride the horse..Right forearm strained & I cant even open a door with it..neck dicky..ego bruised..If I was a horse I'd put me down..
I'll lower the boom a bit as it was at chin - eye height..
Not sure I agree pweedas, if the boom is too high, when beach starting, that's going to rake the sail back, if the boom is lower, it's easier to keep the rig vertical, and the centre of effort further forward.
Doesn't take much to dig the inside rail in on a small board compared to the larger one you have.
Just a comment which may help. It's not exactly the same but I found when trying to waterstart in strong winds, the board always tried to round up on me making it extremely difficult and tiring to get going. Found out that I was putting my back foot on the board first and it was too far back which just pointed the nose of the board into the wind. Now I put my front foot up first and found the board much better behaved. Maybe you are just putting your foot too far back on the board to start?
Doesn't take much to dig the inside rail in on a small board compared to the larger one you have.
