Author Topic: FOOTES (FEETS?)  (Read 5870 times)

surfafrica

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Re: FOOTES (FEETS?)
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2015, 05:40:46 PM »
What is his FB link?
50 years old, 5'7", 150 lbs, intermediate
Infinity RNB: 7'6 x 28, 95 L https://goo.gl/SqlWR4
Kronos LB: 8'10 x 26.5, 84 L https://goo.gl/4iQdps
Kronos Nano: 7'4 x 26, 81 L https://goo.gl/kAM8W6

Southbay

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FOOTES (FEETS?)
« Reply #16 on: January 25, 2015, 12:11:50 AM »
Last Thursday Kanaha was really rocking.  My 8'2" was nearing its limit on a few waves and Loch Eggers was out on a gorgeous Foote gun.  He said it was a 9'8".  So after I got out of the water, I called up Bill Foote and asked him about the board I described above.  "How long would it take to get a custom 9' x 26 x 4?" 

Turns out he had the exact board already built.   9 x 26 1/2 x 3 7/8 gun,  just sitting there, and he was happy to let me demo it.  Loch had ridden it just once, used it in a photo shoot or something.  I hung up the phone and headed over immediately.

Unfortunately the conditions today were pretty terrible.  The surf was the right size for this board, large, but the conditions were terrible.  Strong onshores at first light and Kanaha was completely closing out...but I decided to paddle out anyway!

The paddle out was a bit tough with all the water moving around, and the extremely pulled in tail and nose do not help with stability.  I fell once on the way out, but it was not too bad considering how rough it was.

The water was just as rough outside.  I paddled out a ways, as I didn't wait to get picked off, and break the demo before catching a wave.  I thought the rights were holding up better than the lefts, so I lined up for a right.  Soon enough a nice size wave rolls in, and I turn and paddle hard.  The wave was moving fast, but with the extra paddle power I got in early and easy.  Angled down the line and it quickly showed that it was going to close out, so I hit the eject button over the top I went.  Board responded quickly, and I was safe out the back. 

My first thought was that it was not a fast as I thought it was going to be, but it felt really connected and held perfectly to face, which was way overhead.  I caught 2 more set waves that closed out, and each time I got out over the top in time. I am a goofy foot, so I was going backside and since these are closing out, I might as well go over to the left and catch some front side closeouts too! 

The left is right by the channel, and the rip was cranking out to sea.  The water was really messy and stability was an issue, but the First wave front side was MAGIC.  This board flies!  I had not stepped back far enough on my back side.  Once I got a bit further back, the board hit top gear and just took off.  This is the kind of board that just needs the right trim and line, and it does all the work for you.  No pumping required.

I decided to call it quits after that one, as the wind was getting worse.  Headed over to Kihei with HM and tried it out in some chest high stuff.  Does not turn like my 8'2", but that is not really what I was looking for in a true gun anyway.

Great board!  Light, strong, and gorgeous, plus Bill Foote is as nice a guy as there is.  Haven't decided if I am going to pull the trigger just yet, but most likely I will. 

Here are a few pics:

Southbay

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Re: FOOTES (FEETS?)
« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2015, 12:15:56 AM »
sorry those pics are so grainy.....Here is a better resolution

surfafrica

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Re: FOOTES (FEETS?)
« Reply #18 on: January 25, 2015, 03:48:28 PM »
Bill Foote sent me a couple pics of his production boards.  The red one is 8'6 and the yellow one is 8'10.  I don't see the 8'6 on his website, but the 8'10 is listed as: 8'10 x 29 3/4" x 3 3/4", 103 L.   

From Bill's email (on his production boards):
"My Tritons are my larger boards with flat bottom, squash tail, and slight vee in the tail. The smaller boards (8'10'' and down) are full concave to slight vee with double concave in the vee area, and swallow tails."

From his website:
"The shorter board have swallow tails and are particularly suited for quad fins, though 2+1 thruster is also excellent with these boards.  The larger boards have squash tails to move some buoyancy and stability to the rear for better trimming and good release for heavier surfers.  All the boards have deeply stepped rails and thinned out nose and tail for optimal carving and performance turns."

Here is PonoBill's excellent review of the Triton (10'4 x 34", 174 L):
http://www.ponostyle.com/foote-production-boards/
50 years old, 5'7", 150 lbs, intermediate
Infinity RNB: 7'6 x 28, 95 L https://goo.gl/SqlWR4
Kronos LB: 8'10 x 26.5, 84 L https://goo.gl/4iQdps
Kronos Nano: 7'4 x 26, 81 L https://goo.gl/kAM8W6

PonoBill

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Re: FOOTES (FEETS?)
« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2015, 08:53:30 PM »
I may have to have my lips sewn shut. I just had an Irish coffee and a piece of Diane's Chocolate Banana bread, made with Ponohouse Apple bananas. And now you show me this. Damn.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

 


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