Messages

16

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Narrow vs Wide Boards: Beginners to Advanced

« on: September 28, 2023, 04:03:26 PM »

I’ve been screwing around with board sizes. Decided I want the smallest downwind board for winging light wind. I’m not keen on doing flat water pop ups. Too old. Am doing Foildrive instead of SUP these days.

So with that in mind, this was today’s stability test of a 6’8 x 21.5 x 110 liter with a paddle. No wind to test winging yet. Had to get in wet. Finished sanding it this morning.

It should be easy winging in super light wind. 185 lbs

17

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Narrow vs Wide Boards: Beginners to Advanced

« on: September 27, 2023, 05:04:55 PM »

Well after many an attempt, I have finally registered!
This thread is of particular interest to me as I have yet buy a proper foil board. I have been educating myself on the evolution of the gear as I make attempts to use the wind on my 12' SUP with SUP-Winder attached. So far I have gotten a feel for the wing, subjected myself to very adverse conditions and managed to get upwind.

My foray into the recent hurricane leftovers here in the Atlantic NorthEast showed me a few things, that's for sure. I regard to getting a downwind board for my first one, I'm thinking yeah. I do not have a problem with balance, having attempted to wing on my SUP in the ocean in swell, chop and sub par wind conditions. Furthermore, given my location I will not get high winds often and it would be great to have more and shorter sessions in lighter winds. I'm also not what would be considered young, although in decent shape.

Something like a Naish Hover DW 125-L seems like a decent idea to me... I realize it will be tipper than the more rectangular boards meant for dedicated winging, but I'm willing to hike up that learning curve because I think the rewards will be worth it.
Open to critique on this...

You don’t mention your weight.

It won’t be more tippy than regular wing boards. It should work great.

18

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 400 Hours On Foil: A summer on narrow boards and the search for a perfect surf e

« on: September 03, 2023, 12:25:40 PM »

Dwight I would be interested in hearing the dimensions and volume of your two boards. I am a similar age and size and I'm trying to decide what my new board should look like and I do not have the high winds of the gorge where I live.

I’m 185 lbs. My big board is 7’6 x 22.5 x 120 liters. So incredibly stable, it doubles as my SUP surfing board. My wing board is 5’5 x 22.5

My wife is 125 lbs. Her board is 5’5 x 21.5 x 70 liters. Her big board will be 6’8 x 21.5 x 92 liters when I finish making it.

I believe part of the incredible stability of my boards, even the wing boards, is a shift in chine philosophy. Most chines range from 30 to 60 degrees on pretty much every brand. The FFB chines are about 80 degrees vertically. That board is unusually stable, considering the narrowness. That lead me to try similar steep chines. It was game changing. There is a hidden key to making them work. The volume must be right. More so that other versions. The steep chines are very unstable if the volume is too much. When my wife paddled my 7’6 it was the most unstable board I’ve ever seen her ride. Normally she can paddle any of my old boards and make it look easy. So this style rail much be sunk deep in the water to do it’s magic. Deck flush, to slightly above water for volume.

My tails are not the FFB style. I’m doing my own thing. So you could too.

19

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 400 Hours On Foil: A summer on narrow boards and the search for a perfect surf e

« on: September 03, 2023, 04:43:19 AM »

I’m all in on the narrow bandwagon. My two boards are 7’6 and 5’5.

For me, it’s all about making life easier.

Our paths differ in the quest for tiny wings. I’m OK with just not having to error on the side of rigging too big when the wind is unreliable.

At age 69, I enjoy and need, more balance assist from the wing than a younger me. 

20

Foil SUP / Re: Dw blank wieght

« on: August 31, 2023, 01:32:38 PM »

Just noticed your blank included a stringer. That is where all the extra weight came from.

With 1.5# and our boards being super thick, no need for a stringer. You’re also not barrel riding. Stringers are a mistake for our use.

So I’m going to say they did use 1.5 lb (1.35 actual). You still need a carbon deck patch. Stringer won’t stop heel and knee dents.

I’d just do light glassing and single carbon deck patch, just where you stand. Single 6 oz top and bottom and treat as fragile.

21

Foil SUP / Re: Dw blank wieght

« on: August 31, 2023, 03:40:12 AM »

1.35 lb EPS (ordered as 1.5) would be around 5.7 lbs for 120 liters. They used the wrong foam.

Production boards use 0.85 lb (ordered as 1.0). But, by the time you add all the sandwich and laminate required, weight comes back to where you’d be with simple 1.35 foam and glass.

I had this grand plan to use 1.35 mid span, and 0.85 nose and tail. I bought the EPS, then after a day of working with it, tossed it in the trash. It’s been 15 years since I last held 0.85 lb. Forgot what garbage foam it is. Went back to all 1.35 construction. My board weight beat Armstrongs published weight for same volume, so very happy.

22

Foil SUP / Re: Go Foil V2 Mast For Flatwater Paddle Ups

« on: August 31, 2023, 03:33:24 AM »

wing it to find the mast placement. It’s likely near the back of the tracks. Anyone saying otherwise, probably doesn’t ride GoFoil.

Having said that, I think downwind boards are more forgiving of mast placement than much shorter boards.

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Board Bag for a Kalama E3 6'5" x 23.5" x 6" board, in search of info

« on: August 07, 2023, 05:16:17 AM »

windsurf bags

https://progressivesports.com/windsurf/accessories/bags

24

The Shape Shack / Re: Ultralight Board II – SUP Foil Bumblebee

« on: August 05, 2023, 10:54:18 AM »

I talked to TJ yesterday about the boards on the market. His opinion matched what I thought about them by simply looking at the shapes.

His personal DW board was the Armstrong. Most stable. Parallel template indicates this just by looking at it. He switched to the KT Dragonfly. Easier to paddle up. But less stable. Again, looking at it, you’d come to the same conclusion.

I’m going to take more inspiration from the Armstrong than the other shapes.

Barracuda and Dagger fall into the less stable group also.

Naish is most stable, but at what cost being 25 wide!

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The Shape Shack / Re: Ultralight Board II – SUP Foil Bumblebee

« on: August 05, 2023, 08:46:19 AM »

……. out paddle the long boarders ……

That’s all I want from my board. I don’t need to flat water pop up.

When I return from the Gorge, it will be my next board project.

I’m going to do 1 lb foam ends and 1.5 lb foam middle.

26

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: The Gorge 2023

« on: July 27, 2023, 05:11:37 PM »

Rode Event Site today. First time there in 2 weeks. Wow, my standards are becoming that of a grumpy old man. 4m wind with pig slop for waves.

Back to the clean waves at Mosier tomorrow.  haha….

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Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: The Gorge

« on: July 26, 2023, 06:17:21 PM »

Yesterday (July 25) Mosier was out of control 3m. It was wild to see the water angry and the beautiful surfy waves turned into a hot mess.

The 3.5m day we had there last week, had beautiful surf all day. I guess there is a wind limit for Mosier being great.

Arlington and 3 mile would have been the better choice. But who knew, they totally blew the forecast.

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The Shape Shack / Re: All in One

« on: July 25, 2023, 07:48:05 AM »

Those fences are what GoFoil has on the front wings. He said they were first used in kite racing back in the day.

29

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: The Gorge 2023

« on: July 24, 2023, 06:39:51 PM »

We finally made it to The Wall today. Interesting place. It looked like 3.5-4m winger wind. Clouds came and wind switched N by the time we got done exploring, so never did get wet.

It sort of looked like the wave was slightly better at marker 41. Did not see anything bigger than other Gorge spots we’ve ridden. Less crowded than Rufus, so that’s a plus.

Mosier has been mighty fine for clean, organized surf lines in 3.5m wind. Had a few epic days there. Super long flagged out rides. Fewer slappers and twin tips ruining waves, than some other spots. The Gorge is definately best when you find the spots with less traffic.

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Kalama E3 Wing/prone/dw 5'3" vs 5'9"???

« on: July 24, 2023, 06:29:21 PM »

I’m 85 kg and use 92 liters as my everyday, do it all board. At 69 friggin years old.

If I were age 39, I’d be on that 5’3 x 22 x 83 liter Kalama.

Sticking with the Kalama bottom, and staying narrow, is the ticket for surfing.

Having said that, there is a case for not using the Kalama bottom. Guys into racing with 500-600 sq cm foils, prefer “planing style” bottoms to help get those foils up to high speed.