VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I like to finess the smallest board/sail I can get away with. I like to enjoy the swell. Ride the wave & turn on the face. I can't speak for jumping because I'm lousy @ it. I never could see the point of sailing in a straight line in waves/swell, it would be like going straight down a mountain @ not turning on the 'bumps' !

Hmmm....that's how I ski!! I guess I'm a die hard speed freak

I don't sail Cook st., (don't live there), but I sail a variety of places. Personally, once my gear is tweaked at Nitinat, I sail it that way for the rest of the year wherever I might be. As others have said, I follow the manufacturers instructions with tiny changes for high/low sail range but not much at all. I find that once the sweet spots have been found in sail tension, mast placement, boom height, harness line setting, straps and fin and all are harmonious, it just works. You can feel it. It feels good. Nitinat is a good place for this due to its predictable wind, smoothish water and easy beach. Rough water is harder because you are pitched about by the waves. You can find sweet spots by sailing , adjusting, sailing , adjusting too far (you'll feel it), then backing it off to where it worked. You always have to take it a little too far then back it off. This takes patience and some scientific attitude but it is really worth it. After you're done you can rig and sail mindlessly just about anywhere. Others may have their preferences but this method works well for me.
I should say that the new gear (this century) is much easier to manage than it was in the 90's; or the 80's; or, my god, the 70's.