Top speed foiling - help with gear setup

I have been foiling for about 3 years (never windsurfed beforehand) and am now focusing on increasing my top speed. PB to date is 26.8knots. I'm really trying to break through 27kn. I have included the data from my session yesterday (using my speed setup described below). I have never been a racer, but there is a big crew of IQ foilers at my local beach, including our olympians, so that is my main point of reference, But because I have always been on slightly different gear, their setup doesn't necessarily apply.

For upwind/downwind/light wind I use: Tabou Air Ride Plus 91cm, HGO 8m sail, Starboard SLR880 front wing, Evolution mk2 109 fuselage, SLR255 (-2) rear wing and IQ foil mast. I usually run +0.5 shim on the rear for everything.

For my speed-foiling I have been using: 2021 Starboard Freeride 150 (85cm) board, Starboard Evolution 725 from wing, Evolution 105 fuselage, 255 (-2) rear wing and IQ foil mast. I have tried the +.5 and +1 shims. I am using either a Severne HG4 7m or an old NP v8 6m.

My main issue is trying to keep my nose up. I have always foiled with a lot of weight on my back foot and harness, not much on my front foot. I have never had any issue with foiling out. This is particularly bad in gusts (obviously) and going downwind (where I always feel like I am being yanked forward by the sail). As I have started going faster the balance becomes more important.

I have experimented with all settings and still have this issue. In summary (for my Starboard Freeride 150 board):
- I originally started with my front footsteps all the way forward (I don't use rear footstraps), but have progressively tried moving these back. I am now in the rear most holes.
- I have tried my mast base everywhere from all the forward to all the way back. presently I have it just forward of all the way back (around 103cm from front foil bolt hole to middle of mast base).
- I have experimented with all different mast rake angles - from nothing up to 3.5degrees. I presently add a 1.25shim for approx 3degrees rake
- On the 105 fuse with 725 front wing, I have tried +.5 shim (usually the go to) and +1 (I noticed little improvement over the +.5)
- I use adjustable lines, run pretty long, but have experimented with short-long, and harness lines are set up for even pressure on both hands.

Given I have tried all the above settings, I presume this must be a technique issue. I have been trying two things lately, which have helped a bit:
- feathering the sail for the gusts - ie anticipating the gust by sheeting out slightly (by bringing front hand in) to absorb the gust and then sheeting in again gently.
- trying to keep my butt down and back and to drive through my legs. Particularly going down wind/broad reach to drive the board ahead of me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't believe I should need to have my footsteps and mast base so far back? The mast track on the Freeride 150 is already set back a bit compared to say the IQ board. I am sure I have seen Berowne using the same/similar board to mine in some of his videos - if so, Berowne where did you have your foot straps and MBP?

On a related note, I have a newer SLR 560 wing which I am keen to try, and was looking at getting the Evolution mk2 99 fuselage/ SLR210 tail wing to go with it. But I have discovered that on the Evo mk2 99 fuselage, the front wing position is a couple cms further aft than on the Evo105 (which I am currently using). Given the issues I am having I am reluctant to get a fuse with the front wing even further back.

Thanks,S

I think your 26kts is respectable on the 105fuse with 725 wing
If you jump on the 99fuse 560wing combo that will make the task to go 27 a hell of a lot easier
Best of luck and be sure to wear a helmet

I won't comment specifically on your gear set-up as I'm not sufficiently familiar with the more recent SB iterations, but apart from getting a smaller front (and possibly back) wing as others have mentioned I'd recommend you get comfortable riding both feet in the straps. I know that you can foil perfectly well (and fast) without your backfoot in the strap (and indeed I rarely use one for up/down wind course racing) but when you want to really push for speed (i.e. on a reach to broad reach) you need both feet locked into the straps.

I've done some tests with my gps watch and I'm pretty consistently a knot or two faster both feet in the straps all else equal. Of course, if you're out of control (or if VMG efficiency dictates otherwise) then other considerations dominate. I was referring to all out max speed, which -- like on a fin -- implies sailing on a reach to broad reach, ideally in flat-ish water and reasonably consistent wind in the upper range of your set-up.

True that a wider (in the back) board can make this more tricky or even unattainable, but with an 80/85cm board (and even with 91) I'd say it's almost always faster if you can lock in both feet (again, unless other factors dominate).

The particular footstrap position and setting is somewhat personal and dependent also on the deck shape, but yes slightly more inboard is generally going to be more comfortable. I personally wouldn't set them too big as you don't want your whole foot to be stuck in there if (or rather, when...) you crash.

Mast too far forward dips when you sheet in and above 25 can be as dangerous as breaching

mast base position for 20kts board speed is wrong for 30kts

Despiye I'm lucky enough (maybe too lucky??) to often foil in wind range 17-22 kts (gusting higher) I'm not yet able to score better than 26 kts (aiming at 30 kts...).
I miss nothing in terms of stuff used (with some foil update i feel that target is even more possible) and tuned but for sure my technique is my biggest limit.
As most of you know, foiling higher means being faster (less drag). This is even more mandatory if you foil the previous generation foil masts (which have still "normal" chord span close to the fuselage).
Flying high are scary when conditions are rough,, you don't perfectly hinge at the waist and continuosly setting the trim by using the hips. Hinging at the waist makes for an easier stance into the back footstraps, hanging onto the boom towards the board nose while railing the board windward. OH YEAH!! Easy to write but hard to score!!!

I think scoring 30 kts should be easier in 15-20 kts of wind with good foiling level than in 25 kts of wind and low to medium foiling level.

I'll sailed for many years with Starboard foil, and I made a big change when I switched to slr wing. I'm 80 kg, and I use 560 slr for light wind, and 460 for medium to high wind. If you can, try with Starboard Slr wings

Foiling for speed is an adrenaline rush. Just like loading up and going for 40 knots on a fin in chop. The main advantage is you can do it way more often. No longer waiting for those 25 to 30 knot days. Instead all you need is 18 to20 knots of wind and 30's are possible.