Robert at Blue Planet ..Questions

[ninja tuna]

This is directed for Robert from Blue Planet after watching the 13 year old kid video. I did not want to hi jack that thread with other questions but I wanted to ask this out here so others could benefit. 

You mentioned that you were riding the Kai foil at 195.  I am looking into picking one of these up soon and I am at your weight, may be a tad less.  I am going to assume you have ridden both the Kai foil and the Maliko foil.  I am in eastern Florida not that it seems like that matters for a foil vs. a traditional board.  Could you please tell me your experiences in the differences between the 2 foils at your weight. Thanks.

Oh, and you could also let us know what you have cookin for upcoming foil boards.

[blueplanetsurf]

Hi ninja tuna,
I just saw this and I could go on for a long time about this but here is a short answer.  I got the Kai Foil first and got used to it and then later got the Maliko foil.  If I had to choose only one, I would get the Maliko foil.  It lifts at lower speeds, is more stable, and will fly longer than the Kai foil.  The Kai Foil is looser in the waves and can handle more speed but I would say the Maliko foil is easier to learn on at my weight.
Evan Leong made this Boardmeeting video where I talk about the Maliko Foil:


Regarding foil and board developments, we made several prototypes and have been putting a lot of R&D into new foil and board designs.  Actually, I just chopped off 10 inches off the tail of my 7'6 x 30 Foil board to see what happens, so now it's only 6'8 long.  Once you are foiling, smaller is better for sure, and easier to keep flying.  I noticed that the tail often touches the water when pumping and it seems like I don't need as much board behind the foil.  Originally, the foil was 20" from the tail, now it's 10" from the tail.  I'll keep you posted after glassing and testing it.

[Night Wing]

@Robert

Your Board Meeting video was the most indepth detail oriented comments I've ever seen on hydrofoiling. The companies making these foils should hire you to be a spokesperson.

Thanks for sharing this interesting video.

[ninja tuna]

thank you very Robert!

[stoneaxe]

Very cool.......
Tell Evan I said hello.

[blueplanetsurf]

Thanks for the comments, I'll tell Evan you said Hi Bob.

Yesterday the wind was blowing 20-25 so we went out with the foils to try them on a downwinder.  It was the first time I attempted using a foil on a downwinder and it was challenging to say the least just to get the foil to lift off let alone fly it.  Once I relaxed a bit and waited for the right bumps, I was able to get it flying regularly but was not able to get any long flights.  I can see the potential though and with more practice I think I will figure it out.   My buddy Sam Pa'e who weighs in at around 230 lbs and was on a 10'6 board was also getting lift off.  Jeff Chang tried a shorter board, I think a 8'6, and was not able to get it to fly, we were using the Maliko foils.  I put together a short video from my paddle mounted gopro- not my best camera or editing work but you get the idea, it's not as easy as Kai Lenny makes it look.

[Night Wing]

I think you'll eventually get it dialed in where you'll be able to make it fly.