tip of board sinking

Question
Hello, I am a 200 lbs beginner windsurfer. I'm using a Bic Nova 170. I've noticed that tip of my board tends to sink often. I'm still riding with my feet close to the mast. Do you think this is just related to me not moving back enough on the board or am I using the wrong board form my weight?. Note that I'm not using a harness yet, and I haven't installed foot strapping yet as I consider myself a very beginner. Thanks.

Answer
Hey Vicnete,

You have pretty much answered your own question. The boad is a bit low on volume for a beginner sailor of your size. Also, with that volume you may be standing just a bit forward. You are in the proper postion for beginner sailing, it is just a matter of not enough board volume to keep your nose from dipping.

Try standing back just a couple of inches and see if that helps. Keep moving back a little at a time until you find a good balance point. The newer boards tend to have more volume further back.

If you can work through these early stages with that board, then you'll be doing great as you will grow into the board instead of outgrowing the board. That board should work well for you as you advance and will become your light wind board that you will still have plenty of fun on.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover