Early planing question

[johnk]

Hi Roger,

I purchased a Bic Techno Formula (267 x 94 cm, 170 L), 70 cm race fin, and a 11.0 Maui Sails Titan rig with adjustable outhaul a few years ago to increase my planing time at my sailing site which is a light wind venue. Overall, I'm pleased with the results and find that I can start planing in ~10 knots of breeze with this setup at my current weight of 185 pounds.

I find there too many times where the board is borderline planing and would greatly appreciate clarification regarding mast base placement and board trim. In marginal planing conditions, should I be moving the mast base aft to improve early planing? I usually trim the board level (side to side), but have read elsewhere that some sailors put the lee side down a bit to get going on wide boards and big fins. What would be the best trim setting to get planing? I am a passive sailor and have not yet learned how to pump the sail to help planing, so any tips here would be great as well.

Thanks in advance,
JohnK