hey...
just wondering, riding a liquid force recoil 2009 in the middle of the stances (reasonably wide stance like my snowboard stance), haven't got tons of riding time on it but for the most part, don't go upwind great on it.
Just wondering if stance width makes a difference for upwind ability.

I was testing a Spleene rip 141, had hardly enough wind to get up and go but build some apparent wind and the board went upwind fairly easily. I know the board is contributing a lot...but the feet were super close together too. Wondering if that helps much.


Thoughts?

Might - try it.

I take my back foot out of the strap just a little bit (my heel ends up right on the edge) on my upwind tacks, try that

haha, Kami, ya, I'll try it. Wonder how many sessions are left around here. It's getting cold. Had some snow today. Back up to 65 soon though.

ya, nfleech, been trying that too, definitely helps.

probably will try it. The rip just seemed too easy (granted, didn't try it for a long time though). Totally different shape though, and the rocker was even less. At least on the current set ups, the recoil just seems to have a smaller degree of error for making it upwind.
If it doesn't work all the much better with the smaller stance, I wonder if it's time for a different board. mmm.

Flatter boards do upwind much better...

the recoil i believe has a concave channel similar to JL spleene is gonna drive up wind better.

heel separation for most is under 20" , i have a cab custom with SUPA wide stance and lots of rigid rocker , up wind sucks on it , requires a ton breeze to run up wind. the wide stance is the wakestyle and slider thing set up. and don't like it, maybe if my spot had a big slick, all flat and no current it might be usable. i'm not one to hang around in the kididie pool for too long so flat and smooth bottom gives steep, serious up wind drive to jet without doubt and stay on top. smaller riders can do well with concave bottoms and light air and over 180 not so good.

and change is good , even if its just discernment of what you don't want! but you had to try it!

Some boards just feel better with different stance widths. Loved the old Flydoor on the widest setting - was lively and easy to throw around; felt like a block of wood on regular. New Flydoor & the Flyradical feels perfect on regular... FWIW

Oh meant to add...

Upwind was a little 'easier' on the old Flydoor, with the regular stance - board felt really locked in and carve-y but really unwilling to be thrown around. Wide gave up a little of the "easy locked in" feeling and upwind, but was MUCH more fun...

thanks fellas,

well, got out yesterday and.... things were surprisingly decent even without changing anything. go figure...:dunno:

This was all seeming rather random, but yesterday's session does provide a few more clues. It was on my 10m delta which I really haven't gotten much quality time on. I am starting to think it's probably my particular foil kite/board combo for my current skills. For whatever reason, it seems easier for me to lock on that power to drive upwind with the 10m lei than the FS with that board.

I will probably change my stance width just out of curiosity to see how I like it.

Thanks again for the input, got to try me some more boards to see what I think in combo with the psycho4 12. A fella has a flyradical around here, wonder if it pairs with the FS kites better.
The spleen certainly did, but heard it doesn't deal with chop particularly well.