Topics

1

Foil SUP / Compressed air tank for filling wing during downwinder foil SUP

« on: February 28, 2023, 04:05:39 AM »

Anybody have any beta on what is needed and how to fill a wing during a Downwinder SUP foil run. Conditions in Maine change often while downwinder foiling. On longer excursions, I thought bringing a lightweight carbon fiber canister of compressed air to fill a wing when those conditions change or my fatigue prevents me from paddling up onto foil. Basically a bailout when the miles get long. I would carry the wing and canister on my back while DW SUP foiling and only inflate my wing if needed. Just a thought, since other iterations of this have already occurred.
Thanks in advance. Paint ball tanks seem to be ideal. I have a high pressure pump(4000 psi) already.

2

Prone Foiling, Surf foiling, Pump Foiling / AXIS PNG 1300

« on: October 18, 2022, 05:43:08 AM »

I had been doing a lot of dock starting using the Axis PNG 1150. Great to learn on and easy .  Recently started using a PNG 1300 and loving it. So much faster than the 1150 and I can cover far more ground than the 1150 before failure, which is usually around or just over a minute. The 1300 just seems easier.  I'm really not interested in time spent pumping.  I'm far more interested in the quality of the ride and the range of speed(slow, as well as fast). Any one else out there preferring the 1300 over the 1150 and even the 1310. Also have had some great SUP downwinding sessions on the 1300. I switch to the HPS 1050 and ART 1099 as conditions grow.

3

Classifieds / For sale- Axis PNG 1150

« on: October 12, 2022, 05:49:10 AM »

Used, good condition. Minor scratches/dings. All repaired. Great for learning;  dock starting, winging, SUP….
Asking $550
Located in Maine, USA

4

The Shape Shack / Looking for a way to mount a foil mast plate 2-4" forward of current mast tracks

« on: August 08, 2022, 05:43:04 AM »

Having recently completed a downwinder foil board, 8' x 20" x 6", I am thinking of trying different mast positions which would necessitate me either putting more mast tracks further forward or.... creating a strong adapter which would utilize the current mast tracks and allow a further forward mast placement.
My current set-up works well but my curiosity is piqued. My current mast track construction is absolutely bomb-proof as well as the area in front of mast track box.  I am not concerned with having the two rear bolts in my current boxes and the two forward bolts in a strong carbon fiber/Innegra extension plate. 
Any body out there have any experience in doing such a thing, or as usual, Ill just overbuild something and wing it. I really do not want to cut into this new board to just experiment with different positions.

5

Classifieds / WTB Axis PNG 910 or 910b

« on: August 01, 2022, 08:11:32 AM »

Looking for a used Axis PNG 910 or 910b foil. Thanks!

6

Foil SUP / Another revelation about the Barricuda style Kalama board!

« on: July 31, 2022, 03:28:41 PM »

Yes! I made a version of Daves’s Barricuda.  Been making boards since I was 13 years old ( so damn heavy, I could not carry it till I was 15 years old) and am not ready to stop now.  The “Nikola Tesla”’of foil board design has truly out done himself.  This is self evident in the following  fact alone.  A lot of people are copying his genius . 
For a specific reason, I decided to make mine a tad wider( 8’ x 20” x 6”, - 114L) I weigh 165 lbs.  Not only will it help to stabilize me on downwinders, I figured it might also help to stabilize me during the often turbulent entry onto standing river waves.  This wave has eluded my every attempt at gaining any significant foil time. Typically , it would become a very short, out of control bumpy ride caused by the many boils emanating off the ledgy bottom.  Unable to cross the even more turbulent eddy line guarded by walls of kelp, my only access was by rope, a sometimes lethal addition to any moving water.

Until now!
5-10 minutes consecutive minutes of foiling bliss!
The Barricuda board design is possibly the best suited answer to my years long dilemma. 
Here’s why-
1) obviously, it’s faster under paddle power. Fast enough to catch this wave as I  descend from upstream, moving backwards at about 6-8 mph. 
2) the increased  length  adds to increased  stability for a board only 20” wide.
3) the increased length of the nose has more inertia to mitigate the often powerful upward lift created by the boils.
4) the lightweight nose allows for quick maneuverability needed to stay high in the power zone.

Began on the Axis SP 860 which is a great size when the wave is medium to large.
Still trying to dial in my foil selection for use when wave is small and slow.
Any recommendations!

One more thing! Flatwater pop-ups have become commonplace and a great form of downwinder training. ( Axis PNG 1150, 460 tail, 75 cm mast)

7

Events / WTB-Axis PNG 1300

« on: July 26, 2022, 06:41:00 AM »

If you don’t use it, I will! Thanks! Aloha!

8

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Adventure Winging/SUP Downwinders

« on: June 13, 2022, 05:02:55 AM »

Seems to be more and more people doing longer and longer downwinders using a wing or a paddle. Here in Maine, we have so many opportunities regardless of the wind direction.  Finding a crew and a boat to tag along is, for me, pretty darn impossible since conditions often change rapidly and planning is troublesome. For this reason, downwinders are typically done with a buddy or two, or for the longer ones, alone(much less to worry about).  Having multiple plans in case conditions change is necessary.  Ill just post a list of gear and equipment I carry on longer runs where conditions might leave me changing my plans or worse yet, spending a night on an island.

- waterproof back pack
-plenty of durable waterproof ziplock bags
-2 compasses  (one on my hip at all times( in case visabilty lessens.  a few important directions memorized.)
-Handheld  waterproof VHF radio
-SPOTX
-GPS with chart plotter capability (waypoints stored)
-phone( chart plotter capability)
-fire starting materials and wire saw ( in case I have to spend a night on an island)
-extra food, water
- Your wing becomes your tent/shelter
-My paddle attaches to my wing handles ( in case I have to paddle to safety)
- a combo wing/downwinder board will help since paddling speed is near twice as fast as my wing specific board
-cash, credit card( in case I have to find a ferry or get lodging on a nearby island. Ferry Schedule)
-extra wool sweater
-dry suit ( this will be warmer and drier if you spend the night)
-head lamp and strobe light
- a good familiarity of the area including shipping channels.
- I'm sure there are other things I've missed but having a 15 lb pack on my back is all I care to carry

Have fun, be safe!

9

Prone Foiling, Surf foiling, Pump Foiling / Slingshot 2020 WF-1

« on: March 22, 2022, 05:24:59 AM »

Hey all,  I just purchased a 2nd hand Slingshot WF-1 Wakefoil board  in hopes of learning how to dock start and possibly even as a super sinky winging board.
My biggest concern is , are these boards constructed properly with regards to foil pumping or do I need to worry about snapping it due to repeated pumping over time?  I do a lot of foil board building and usually over build my track boxes so this is never a concern.  I only weigh 155 lbs so I have that going for me.  I’ve been thinking of routing out some channels along the hull and inserting long carbon tubes( arrow shafts) alongside the track boxes to prevent the board from snapping.
Or I can just wait to see if it breaks, and fix it if it does.  Thanks to everyone who has any advice?

10

Classifieds / WTB- Axis short S-series fuselage (red)

« on: January 07, 2022, 04:02:45 AM »

Anybody out there (in USA)  have a AXIS short S-series fuselage for sale.  I thought Id check before just buying a new one.  It might be better to buy new since Axis has put a little more material near the weak spot just forward of the mast insert.

11

Foil SUP / Foil SUP with the Kalama Performance E3 Downwinder boards?

« on: December 07, 2021, 04:23:31 PM »

Anyone out there SUP foiling waves and beach surf with the 23.5" wide Kalama downwinder boards. I weigh 68 kg and think this would make a great, get on early type of SUP foil board.  Somewhere in the 6 foot to 6'5" length. Or is it too narrow and tippy for standard wave foiling use and only shines in downwinder conditions. I would think someone with good paddle skills and balance must be doing this routinely.

12

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Axis Black series to Red series converter

« on: October 01, 2021, 05:09:45 AM »

I'm new to this mass produced foil business .  Just purchased a HPS 1050 black series rig and wondered if anybody ever made a conversion block,or blocks,  that would allow mounting a red series front wing to a black series fuselage.  It would definitely increase the versatility of the Axis system.  I have a feeling I will be fabricating a carbon part(s) to accomplish this modification.  Does anyone know if the bolt spacing and pattern are similar between the two Fuselages?  I also wish to adapt my own foils to mount onto this fuselage.  I have a feeling I will just be buying a red series fuselage and saving myself a bunch of work.

13

The Shape Shack / Downwinder Pintail Board Specs

« on: September 14, 2021, 08:51:25 AM »

Hello everyone,
Anybody make their own downwinder, pintail?  You know Da Kine. Those beautiful boards that Kalama is making and everyone is using in the gorge and in Hawaii.  I'm considering making one for downwinding and for just straight up SUP foiling.  Thinking of going long and narrow, 6'3" x 25".  Very thick!  Just wondered as to how stable they are and how narrow I could go. Just thought I'd put this out there in case anyone had ever used a board like this.  I'm growing tired of pulling 20-30 lbs of water behind me every time I SUP foil my 6' Fugly  (beveled tail), or my 5' 6" wing board.  I feel that more speed is going to make catching unbroken waves a hell of a lot easier.  Who knows, maybe I'll even have a bit of success with a flatwater start?  Keep dreaming!

14

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Straight tail Wingfoil board opinions

« on: June 24, 2021, 07:37:14 AM »

Just curious,  Anybody out there riding straight tail boards for winging .  How do you like them?  Just about to skin my next board and its shaped  to be a straight tail.    I was also curious, as my shape is approximately 100L,  does anybody have any experience SUP foiling on a straight tail?   Its always nice to be able to foil waves when the wind dies.  Thanks for any and all opinions. 

15

The Shape Shack / Recommended Tackifier

« on: June 16, 2021, 05:01:44 AM »

About ready to lay on some Carbon/Inegra cloth on a wing board and have never used a tackifier.  Could someone recommend a product! Thanks in advance!