Messages

16

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: duotone unit leaking near strut hose junction to the main bladder

« on: November 07, 2022, 02:13:27 PM »

This is a very common problem with ageing kites, especially those stored in a car or hot countries. I’ve replaced or reattached heaps of valves over the years, it’s a skill wingers will need to learn.
To remove a valve, just dip in hot water and it will peel off, this is why kites/wings stored in a hot location have their valves fall off.

17

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Check your brass T-nuts

« on: October 24, 2022, 01:34:24 AM »

Yep, a known problem with brass nuts. There are probably different qualities of brass, some probably more susceptible to cracking than others. I use the stainless Naish ones, never had an issue.

18

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: August 02, 2022, 01:13:29 PM »

Myself and a mate have last years Slicks, although the manufacturer says one boom fits all sizes we have both found that information incorrect. He had a boom pop off, on a 4 mtr due to being too short. We now have custom carbon booms for each size, the 4 mtr is the longest, even longer than the 5.5 mtr.
Make sure when you inflate, both the front and rear ends of the boom are snug in their respective caps, we found the 4 mtr had a 3cm gap at the end which allowed the boom to pull out. No problem with a slightly longer boom.

19

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Any DIY ideas on creating a carbon boom for a Slick

« on: July 12, 2022, 02:54:03 PM »

Here in Oz you can buy carbon kayak paddle shafts for AUD$89 from eBay delivered. A mate printed a front end mould and we build carbon front ends. We did try printing the front end but they were too heavy. The rear end is printed.
Grip is either rough sanded or fishing rod grip from eBay. Rough sanded is really light but you need to be careful with sunscreen as any on your hands will make it slippery.
I’ve now just use the fishing rod grip, bit extra weight but works well, a finished boom is 320 grams and costs about AUD$100

20

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

« on: June 30, 2022, 12:37:07 AM »

I grease all my connections, not just the screws. Vaseline works great and stops corrosion on not just the screw threads but the whole connection area. Yes, you may occasionally need to tighten the screws but that’s only once every few sessions. I rarely disassemble my foil, just a quick external rinse when I get home. Never had any corrosion.

21

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: The 2022 Duotone Unit

« on: May 26, 2022, 06:19:54 AM »

Best Kites had a similar problem with a model years ago. They had poorly designed the construction of the leading edge, a multi layer stiff section was sewn to a single layer. The leading edge exploded along that seam. The whole run of that model was replaced under warranty.

Yep.. The HELL FISH

Actually the 2008 HP, but the Hellfish was also a disaster, but that was the canopy material not the leading edge from memory.
It’s easy to have a great demo run, only to have the factory make a few slight changes for ease of manufacture and suddenly you have a problem in production.

22

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: The 2022 Duotone Unit

« on: May 20, 2022, 09:44:33 PM »

Best Kites had a similar problem with a model years ago. They had poorly designed the construction of the leading edge, a multi layer stiff section was sewn to a single layer. The leading edge exploded along that seam. The whole run of that model was replaced under warranty.

23

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: The 2022 Duotone Unit

« on: May 17, 2022, 11:19:50 AM »

Found this on Seabreeze, maybe an issue

24

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Why is Naish so un-mentioned on this forum

« on: April 12, 2022, 01:39:22 PM »

Naish has been an entry level foil in previous years. Those people using them tend not to post reviews or froth as they tend to be learning. Now that Naish foils are much more refined, especially the new full carbon CFS range I think experienced foilers will move to the range and provide more feedback.

25

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: April 07, 2022, 02:21:14 PM »

An Aluula Slick is a great option, with the boom spreading the load on the strut it should avoid the damage I saw on a OR wing. The guy pumped it like crazy, going out in very light winds and the Aluula started to fail around the handle connection area, luckily replaced under warranty.

Might have to save some pennies for when they are released.

26

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Mast Repair

« on: April 06, 2022, 02:16:52 PM »

Can you post photos of the damaged Mast?

I found this picture on another thread, I didn’t do the repair myself. If an ear has broken off you may be able to replace it with a side mounted barrel nut.

27

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: April 03, 2022, 02:34:22 PM »

Interesting that most brands are heading in the fixed handle direction. It is definitely superior for control of roll and makes tacks etc so much easier as your not looking for the handles on your back hand.
I’m on slicks, after struggling with tacks awhile ago I had a slick demo, instant success, almost cheating. I’ve belted the board with the boom a few times and I wonder how the boards will handle the hard corners of the handles during a stink bug.
I saw a pick of a Slingshot boomed wing, so maybe the Slick won’t be the only boomed option now the Echo is gone.
Weight versus longevity is always an issue, I’m on the side of paying for standard cloth but replacing the wings more often. After my foil has gone through canopies on a few occasions wings are a more disposable item than kites.

28

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Mast Repair

« on: April 02, 2022, 03:22:33 AM »

X-ray of a Sabfoil mast, doesn’t seem to be any inserts.

29

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: PPffffttt!

« on: March 24, 2022, 02:32:07 PM »

Most at our local have sand bags to prevent this happening, the bags stay on the beach ready for use when you come back in.
We have seen to many foils and wings connect with the same results.

30

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Foil Physics Question RE: AR and drag

« on: March 12, 2022, 11:31:04 AM »

So rather than calculate it, I tried it. Almost back to back on the Moses 633 (modified to fit Naish fuselage)and the Naish 1040HA. I had to change down to a 4mtr wing as the wing picked up for the 1040 session, was on a 5.5 mtr for the 633.
Here is the speed graph, I was surprised the thick low aspect 633 was so quick, could almost say quicker that the 1040HA.
The 1040HA is my normal ride so a bit smoother.

With all due respect, your graph is meaningless unless you were using identical wind wing size in identical wind speeds. What you're showing is apples and oranges.

"... lower AR wings are better at high speeds in the water" and "So, once you have the power to get to the high speed, the lower AR wing is superior in terms of top speed and low drag” <- this is not even remotely true, in fact just the opposite is true. Also, there are a lot more factors than AR; foil section and planform play a big role. Especially foil thickness.

Yes, it was a pity the wind picked up a bit when I got on the 1040HA, but I was still surprised a 30 mm thick LA wing was as quick as a 16mm thick HA wing, even in lighter wind.
Will do the exercise again.