rails, fins, width, and stability

[jaycee]

About a year ago I purchased my first surf board; It's an 8'2 Wayne Rich speed foil with a thruster setup. After renting boards in the 8'4-9' range that are differently shaped, I feel like my board may not be right for me, or perhaps I'm doing something wrong. I find it hyper-responsive to any little movement I make, the rails always dig, and it's super tippy & light.

I consider myself a novice and I just tried a 9' single fin in 6-8ft waves with better success. I'm going to rent some more boards to see which may be the best fit. Any recommendations on type, fin set-up, rail types I should look for or avoid?

Basically feel like I'm back to square one for looking for the right board...

Any feedback is much appreciated.

[jaffa1949]

Interestingly I know the WR speed foils as a bisect set up, is yours that?
Or is that shape a standard board or composite ( epoxy) build?
The speed foils is a pretty standard shape for that length and it is most likely the problem is the fit between your skill and the board.
I have a WR 9ft and it is a composite bisect it is more floaty which makes it more responsive but easily pushed around in white water.
About you, you consider yourself a novice, what can you do on a wave, bottom turn, ride the face or are you still in the white water? Your height and weight and age will help us help you.
Are you based around Santa Barbara? That's where Wayne Rich works.

[jaycee]

Not in California unfortunately. The board is epoxy, it's not a bisect. I'm sure it is a combination of skill and board, but when I rode a 9ft single fin the next day, didn't have the same issues I experience with the WR.

My WR is hyper-responsive and definitely easily pushed around in the ww.

I catch green waves, working on surfing down the line and proper turns. I often end a ride in the ww but generally try to catch them unbroken. 5'9 125lbs, late 20's.

[waikikikichan]

As it's name implies, the Speed Foil is built for flying down the line not wallowing in the soup. Did the other boards you try out have Squash tails ? A Pin tail is fast but not as stable for beginners.
But to solve your problem, all you need to do is ............................. Step Back. You need to have you back foot between the front two fins and the trailing fin. You need to engage the fin ( and tail ) into the wave. I think right now you're too forward in the center of the board, which most beginners feels safe/comfortable. You need to have the rubber meet the road.
A good example would be riding a bike with most of you body weight leaning on the handle bars. The input would get really responsive and Twitchy. The rear tire will un-weight and power can't get transferred to the ground. So you need to not lean forward or be to in the center of your board. Get back over the fins and drive from the tail not the nose. ( one of the reason you're catching/digging your rail )

[Mcfaker]

That's actually really good advice.

[Silvery]

Been having similar problems, thanks waikiki