Topics

1

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Latest thinking on preventing corrosion

« on: June 29, 2022, 06:44:22 PM »

I'm about to start my foiling career, and want to hear the best practices on preventing corrosion. 

I'm using a Starboard foil system, which has a lot of stainless steel bolts, an aluminum fuselage, and carbon foils. 
https://starboardfoils.com/pages/2022-wing-and-wave-foils-overview

It would be a pain to disassemble and rinse every bolt after every saltwater session.  There are a lot of bolts.

I'm keen to figure out which bolts I have to rinse every time, and which bolts can be left for an extended period with proper application of a anti-corrosion substance.

Without thinking too much, I bought some marine grease off Amazon. Is this any good, or is there a better product?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V3KD2O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks all!

2

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Ginxu step hokum

« on: May 27, 2022, 01:59:47 PM »

Just read the hype on KT Boards Ginxu..

The Ginxu’s revolutionary design features the Step Bottom (patented), a cutout on the entire bottom rear 1/3 of the board, including the foil box. This creates an unprecedented connection to the foil, in fact the most direct connection of any foilboard to date. It’s like Gravity Control. For touchdowns, it reduces catching and deceleration leading to getting stuck or falling, because when the bottom of the board now recontacts the water, the rear section and foil are still ‘airborne,’ so you receive Automatic Lift and can easily take back off. Most surprisingly of all it makes it incredibly easy to initially take off, because the moment you get a little bit of speed on the water and the board starts to rise to the waters’ surface, even though the front 2/3rds of the bottom of the board is still in the water, the foil is already out of the water and flying, creating an Ultra Boost, getting you going much quicker than traditional designs.
https://ktsurfing.com/boards-2022/ginxu/

From what I know about wingboard physics. I don't believe these claims at all.  Seems like they are having a hard time explaining what they like about the board. 

And maybe this design just works better on Maui, where there's plenty of wind. I doubt it would work well as a light-wind board.

Thoughts?

3

The Shape Shack / WingSUP board with Greenough edges

« on: April 06, 2022, 03:42:59 PM »

So here's my first SUP foilboard design.  Based on my experience designing my own SUPs and surfboards with Greenough edges. 

My shaper has a blank ready to cut as soon as I finalize the design. 

I'm building my first board before even getting a first foil session. Talk about putting the cart before the horse. But I love designing interesting boards and I've watched a ton of youtube videos on wing foil board design. Given that I've designed and built close to 20 boards in the past 5 years, I feel comfortable making this insane leap.

Feedback on this design welcome.  My stats are as follows: 
- 50yo 6'2 110 kg
- Experienced surfer (SUP, prone)
- No foil experience (yet)
- Windsurf and sailing background
- Goal of wing foiling and foil surfing in the Los Angeles area

Here's the board as modeled in Shape3D.  Note this is just a rough draft, and there are a lot of rough spots in the file. 

Current dims are 6'4 x 30" x 5 1/4" x 133 liters. 

Design goals are to:
1. Get early planing, directional stability and controlled touch-downs from the hard chines
2. Reduce drag similar to a pintail, but with a round tail that adds more stability since I'm not doing any downwinders

Feedback welcome!

Gallery here:   https://imgur.com/a/haQQRJC

4

The Shape Shack / Best way to mount the foil boxes and footstraps on a wingboard?

« on: April 02, 2022, 04:20:27 PM »

So what's the current best practice to mount foil boxes on a wingboard build?  For maximum strength and longevity, given all the extreme forces? 

Can you buy boxes made specifically for foiling?  So they have extra strength? I've heard of custom carbon fiber boxes...

I'm planning to design a wingSUP and build it at my buddies SUP factory in LA. He's very good at vacuum bagging carbon fiber, but I wouldn't trust him to get the physics right on a foil box installation.

Also, do you all recommend using 1lb EPS foam?  Or is 1.5lb foam better for maintaining structural integrity where the foil boxes connect to the foam?

Regarding footstraps. How are those installed in a structurally sound manner? Are there inserts that can be purchased?

Thanks all!

5

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Is WingSUP against the law in my harbor?

« on: March 17, 2022, 05:11:01 PM »

Hi All..

So I often SUP in King Harbor, Redondo Beach California.  I am getting into Wing SUP, and unfortunately the harbor has a law against windsurfing.  It's written thus:

(d)  No person shall operate any non-motorized surfboard-like vessel of any length, propelled solely by a sail and with a mast which is required to be held upright by the operator to sail, within the harbor.

So what do you all think... would I get hassled if riding a WingSUP?  There's clearly no mast. But I doubt the harbor patrol would be able to tell the difference between wing SUP and windsurfing.

What if I kept a paddle strapped to the deck, so I'm not "solely" propelled by wind.  Would it even work to paddle a SUP with a wing attached too? 

Thoughts and advice welcome. This is the closest place to wing near my house. 

Kevin

6

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Target semi-newbie advice

« on: July 28, 2021, 11:29:50 AM »

Hey all... 

I've got an opportunity to get hooked up with a Starboard wingfoil setup, and need some advice on gear and sizing. 

I'm 6'2, 230 lbs, 50yo. Learned how to windsurf in the 80s and haven't lost the sail knowledge.  Advanced SUP surfer.

But I have yet to learn how to foil.  I can make an educated guess on board and wing size, but I'm totally lost when it comes to foil shape, size and mast length. 

I was told that a Starboard S-2000 wing would be a good starter for me. 
https://starboardfoils.com/pages/2021-s-type

Can I get some advice on if that's correct?  Also, what mast size do you all recommend? 

Thanks all! 

7

SUP General / The weight of water in helping reduce volume

« on: May 24, 2018, 01:31:21 PM »

Zoners...

I'm curious about your opinions about the weight of water in adding stability.  I'm ordering a New Deal from Inifinity, and I'm trying to decide on the optimum volume.

Here's the thing... I think there's a point of maximum instability when the volume keeps the deck is just at the water surface. 

I believe there's a benefit from having a large part of the deck just below the water surface, so that the weight of water adds some balance stability.

A step rail also helps in this regard, because there is extra rail below the surface, with a large moment arm relatively speaking.

Let me know what you think about this.  My plan is to order the board on the thin side.

8

SUP General / Starboard joins the Ecoboard Project

« on: June 10, 2016, 04:05:49 PM »

My organization started the Ecoboard Project four years ago, targeted initially toward helping surfboard manufacturers use more sustainable products.  Since then, it's had a significant influence on the marketplace, and many major manufacturers now make "Ecoboards" for their athletes and customers. Two WCT events were won in 2015 on Ecoboards made by Channel Islands and Firewire, and nearly every retail surfboard shop has at least a few Ecoboards in the racks.

Now, Starboard has made a commitment to make 100% of their new boards using more sustainable, plant-based epoxy resins.  This is the first major SUP manufacturer to make such a commitment.
http://sustainablesurf.org/2016/06/welcome-starboard-to-the-ecoboard-project/

We're also releasing a new lifecycle impact study of a surfboard, which shows the environmental and toxic benefits of using more sustainable materials. Our program and its recommendations are based on solid science. You can see these results here:
http://sustainablesurf.org/2016/06/the-ecoboard-lifecycle-study/

There's going to be much more innovation happening on technology to make boards more sustainable and better for the ocean and the people who build them.

Also... I'm looking forward to the comments on this thread, since I've been a Zoner for a long time and know the kind of personalities that inhabit this little corner of the known universe. Let the fun begin.

9

The Shape Shack / Latest thinking on touring SUP design

« on: June 03, 2016, 06:51:12 AM »

I hate to say it... i've caught the shaping bug.  I've bought the full version of Shape 3D, and Marko Foam is cutting my first board as I write this. I started small, with a 6'0 fish.

My next board will be a touring SUP.  What's the latest thinking on touring SUP design?  I would be stoked if anyone would chime in on typical rockers and bottom contours.

I plan to use my board for cruising in all conditions, including windy chop, and self-support camping on lakes.

Maybe my obsession will end when I try my first self-shaped boards.... but I doubt it.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can chime in on best design practices for touring boards!

10

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / 10'2 Almond Glider by Ry Harris Shapes

« on: December 15, 2015, 11:10:10 AM »

How many zoners surf in Manhattan Beach?  If you surf at El Porto, you've undoubtedly local shaper Ryan Harriss ripping on his surf SUPs. He's one of those extremely talented shapers who's getting recognition for being the leading eco-friendly board builder. Companies like Lost and Channel Islands, and even SUP Sports are having him glass their boards in his eco-technology, which is ultra high performance.

I usually surf a short SUP from Ryan, but on the super small days I've wanted a longer SUP to cruise and catch knee high waves up and down the coast.  I've never been happy with the typical 10'+ SUP, with wide nose and tail.  That outline might work for beginners cruising on flat water or surfing super mushy waves... but it just doesn't work on the small dumpy beach break typical of my area. The wide nose and tail just lock in to the wave and it becomes almost impossible to sink a rail and turn.

Enter the "pig" outline for my new SUP.  I've always had a fascination for the pig outlined longboards. They were developed in the early 60's, when my city was the global hotbed of surfboard building. The pig design just works better for long boards in small dumpy beach break.

So Ryan and I designed a 10'2 SUP with a radical pig outline.  It's called the Almond Glider... from the almond-like outline.  It is 31" wide, 4.5" thick, with a super foiled and thin nose.

I've surfed this board in a lot of conditions, and I love it!  It's the best coastal cruising and small-wave surfing board I've ever had. It paddles great, just like a 10'2 board should, and catches wave early. Step back on the tail, and it turns very easily. The turns are very smooth and controllable. It's very responsive to turning pressure vs. having to stomp on the rail of a normal long SUP to get it to turn on small waves. The sensation of turning this board from the tail is that it is very "cruisey" and fun.  Not sharp turns like on a shortboard, but smooth and controllable like longboard.

This board really shines if you like to walk the board and noseride.  The narrow nose makes it very controllable from the front third of the board. I've gotten some super fun noserides so far because the board is steerable from the nose.  Basically, if you want to be an active surfer and walk around the board to turn it in style, this shape works like magic. 

It surfs great in small dumpy beach break, and turns easily when sections allow. It's easy to make small turns to generate speed when the wave is reeling down the line. When the wave slows down on the inside... it's time to walk to the nose.

When it's high tide with a fatter wave, it's still super fun.  Standing on the tail makes it easy to set up a fade, crank a stylish bottom turn, and then cruise up to the nose for a long noseride.

The only drawback to this shape is that you won't be able to take your big dog for a paddle. There's just not enough width and foam in the nose to support a dog... but I don't have a dog, so it's perfect.

My board is built with sustainable Super Sap epoxy resin from Entropy Resins. It's glassed with E-Tech's proprietary Ballis-Tek cloth, which is like a clear version of kevlar. It's ultra strong, and almost impossible to ding.  The deck has a flax fiber inlay, stained with a dark green tint. The build quality coming out of Earth Technologies is probably the best you will find anywhere. If you don't believe me... check out some of the SUPs Ryan has glassed recently for Wardog of SUP Sports.

More info on Ry Harris and Earth Technologies is here: http://www.etechsurf.com/sups/


 

11

Wind Powered / adding a mast track to my new custom SUP?

« on: March 20, 2015, 11:48:59 AM »

I have a custom SUP being built right now... a 10'2 all-around board. 

I used to windsurf a long time ago.  I would be stoked to get a sail and cruise around in light winds like the classic original windsurfer. 

Are there any suggestions on how to add a mast track? Location tips would be appreciated.  Where do I buy one?

Also, what about adding a ventral fin box in the center of the board for a little lateral side-slip prevention?  Again... what location would would best?

Seems like the best sail to use is the Starboard windSUP rig...

Finally... does it make any sense to go for high-performance windsurfing on a 10'2 board? Good sails, a harness, etc...  or is light-wind cruising the limit for a board like that?

12

Gear Talk / Anyone have the Kialoa GL Surf II yet?

« on: March 17, 2015, 05:29:18 PM »

I'm looking into buying a new paddle.  I like a paddle with a little volume, which gives better bracing and steering with duffek strokes. (I'm a whitewater kayaker at heart).

It sounds like the Kialoa Surf GL has a double convex blade and thus has volume. They have a new version for 2015 with a smaller blade at 91 sq in.

Has anyone tried it yet?

I was also looking at the Ke Nalu, but their whole "powered by physics" motto turns me off. I have a BS in physics, and I couldn't find a single thing on their website that suggested anything to do with physics.

Maybe they are good engineers, but engineering is not physics and they don't seem to know the difference. That's fine, since I would rather have a good engineer design a paddle vs. a good physicist. Paddle design is an engineering problem, and I'm curious how their paddles are different.

Unfortunately, I called up a local dealer for Ke Nalu, and the salesman had such a condescending attitude right from the start of the conversation. Turns me off kind of permanently right there.


 

13

Gear Talk / Loaned my board to a buddy, and now I need repair advice

« on: June 22, 2014, 08:44:30 PM »

So my friend was signed up for the Rock to Rock race from Catalina, and his custom race board was severely delayed by his manufacturer.  I graciously agreed to loan him my 12'6 Hobie SUP for training purposes.  I guess I forgot to tell him not to hit my board with his paddle during the stroke, and this is what it looks like now:



The white paint has been scraped off all over both rails. It looks awful, but there's no structural damage. The dark color is just the carbon fiber exposed.

What's the best way to fix this? It's not a repair a normal glass shop would do... is this an automotive paint repair type of job? 

I could just spray it myself with white spray paint, but it would still leave exposed ridges where the original paint was chipped away.  I prefer a more professional job.

Thanks!

Kevin

14

Gear Talk / T Patterson 10'6 SUP custom

« on: September 06, 2012, 12:40:48 PM »

Check out my new T-Patterson 10'6 custom SUP. Dimensions are 31" x 4 3/4.  It has a nice tapered rail and a single to double-concave bottom based on his Rising Sun shortboard model.

I love how his surfboards surf, and this SUP surfs just as good. Super fast and easy to turn, even going backside.

Now that Timmy is shaping for Tommy Lloy, I think we're going to see some amazing surfing SUPs coming soon.

Glassing was by MAC Glassing in Costa Mesa. They do amazing work.

15

SUP General / Bad surfing etiquette at T-Street

« on: September 06, 2012, 12:24:29 PM »

Out at T-Street this morning, and there's one guy on a Kings SUP that was catching every set wave and surfing through the crowded lineup in semi-control. There weren't that many good waves on offer and he caught most of them. When he paddled back out to the peak, it was on his knees or lying prone. Talk about bad SUP etiquette!

None of the surfers were happy, and even the bodyboarders were grumbling... and if you've ever surfed T-Street, you know the people that bodyboard there aren't the type who complain. When the bodyboarders start complaining about a SUP surfer, you know the guy is a kook.

I didn't get the chance to say something directly to him, but maybe he reads the 'Zone. He definitely needs to adjust his SUP surfing style to fit in better with other surfers.