Ask a question

Before you ask a question we would be grateful if you look through the already asked questions.
In FAQ you will find frequently asked questions.

Add question »

FAQ

Question

Answer

Fena

from Jens Dreyer

2011-12-19

Can I use the 40 cm fin for racing

Answer to: Fena

from Joachim Larsson, Kona ONE

Yes, both the 40 and 46 Kona fins are class legal.

Upwind with Kona ONE

from Andree

2011-05-25

What are the secrets to go up wind in over powering conditions. Use the centerboard or ride the fin? I was over powered again and still struggle to get upwind efficiently. I have the centerboard up. Those who race me have theirs down. They are going real slow but sail the shorter course. We seem to get to the finish at the same time. Actually they are faster because I was ahead. When I put the dagger down I feel out of control and very slow. Maybe there is a trick to point upwind with no dagger? The rails are so round of the Kona it is difficult to point.

Answer to: Upwind with Kona ONE

from Joachim Larsson, Kona ONE

Hi Andree,
It was with me at the Midwintwers on Sunday that you experienced an episode what you describe. I sailed daggerboard down all the way that day.
In my experience, there are some key factors that combine to (positively or negatively) make you go upwind in heavy air.
1) Rig tuning: you must be comfortable in the conditions.
When it starts blowing I make sure to go out early and adjust until I find my sweet spot. This includes boom height. Otherwise you'll be struggling all day.
2) Harness Lines: I have been struggling with these myself on the Kona. I am finding out the Kona rig is much more sensitive to harness line positioning than other course racing rigs I have used in the past.
This affected me at the Midwinters in light air until I kind of figured it out late Saturday.
But in heavy air is even more critical to have them set correctly so you can stand as forward as possible to allow you to put pressure on the front foot to keep the board moving and not pinch. (assuming daggerboard down)
You can also try not putting the daggerboard down all the way but find how much you can use and achieve a happy medium.
3) The reality of your weight.
Heavy sailors will do better in heavy air. It's physics. Same as lighter ones in the light stuff.
This is where having everything adjusted correctly will help you close the gap with heavier sailors in heavy air.
I just installed the adjustable outhaul and am finding it very helpful to find the sweetspot in different conditions.
To me, a very important factor is wanting to sail in heavy air conditions and learning to enjoy it. Not everybody does.
I was very new to the Kona at the Worlds in Miami and was amazed at how some people handled the heavy stuff. Now I am finding myself more and more comfortable with the Kona in heavy air even in the chop we get here in Puerto Rico.
Hope this helps.

Vent screw

from RC

2011-05-26

The screw above the mast track, is that a vent screw? Do I tighten it and leave it that way?

Answer to: Vent screw

from Joachim Larsson, Kona ONE

It needs to be tight most of the time. Open it only when your board will be subject to important temperature changes or airline transport.

Water that gets in the board is very difficult to get out. The foam acts as a sponge (not a good one though..) There will be no water moving around your board, but it will get heavier. It seems the only way to get it out is to plug a vacuum pump on your board. It can then take weeks to dry it.

Mast Track

from Windjibe13

2011-07-02

Please advise the general positions of the mast in the mast track...conditions to have it forward, when in the middle, when back.. and what the effects of these mast track positions are, related to performance.

Answer to: Mast Track

from Joachim Larsson, Kona ONE

Mastposition depend on wich size of sail, but 9:0 absolut in front, then 8:2 5 mm back, 7:4 5 mm more back.... Thats the normal position.

When you have a lot´s of wind and you only go out for freeride you can take the mast back 8-10 cm for the biggest sail (9:0)

The smart thing with this system are that you don need any mastrack bo course you have the step-tail who makes the board shorter when yiu get in ful planing.

Forum

Blog