Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

Last post
webguy's picture
webguy
Offline
Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13783
Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

Just got off the phone with Rhett who's just tasted the sweet nectar. He's out in OR and sent me this pic of him at Flora Lake on his third session. He's sailing a rental Slingshot board and foil and can't praise it highly enough. He foiled for three days and had a blast. The Slingshot proved durable as he said he was hitting sandbars without damage. One day he was on a 4.5 while conventional windsurfers were on 5.0s. He felt overpowered so the rental suggested he try a 3.3. He said it was a crazy feeling using a sail that small but it worked fine. He thinks highly of getting a board/foil combo so it all works together even if it's more expensive to go that way.

He's taking his new Horue to the SC coast next week to hone his skills. I'm so stoked for him (and jealous).

0 Like
rgenet
Offline
Joined: 12/26/2002 - 08:16
Posts: 266
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

Where's the like button on this thing?

0 Like
webguy's picture
webguy
Offline
Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13783
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid
rgenet wrote:

Where's the like button on this thing?

On "to do" list. Trying to get new post notifications working presently.

In the meantime, log in and comment. Your momma would have wanted you to do that. Wink

0 Like
rgenet
Offline
Joined: 12/26/2002 - 08:16
Posts: 266
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

#like

0 Like
webguy's picture
webguy
Offline
Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13783
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

Looks like Tinho's riding an alum Pryde.

Sidenote for beginners and early intermediates: Even if you don't foil, notice how Tinho is actually pulling up on the straps in a lot of the time. Many people assume that you always push down on your feet. On a regular board, going upwind while planing, it's very normal to pull up on the front strap. In this case, he's pulling up to encourage the board to fly and balance the trim of the board.

0 Like
FoilDodo's picture
FoilDodo
Offline
Joined: 03/19/2008 - 23:50
Posts: 2738
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

I'm thinking taking the back straps off is the way... foil trim is easy by just moving your back foot fore/aft. Also think the back straps on wide boards are unnecessarily close to the rails (for foiling). In Tinho's video, if his back foot were just more forward, maybe he'd be trimmed right? Just need some breeze to test this Shok

0 Like
webguy's picture
webguy
Offline
Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13783
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid
FoilDūd wrote:

I'm thinking taking the back straps off is the way... foil trim is easy by just moving your back foot fore/aft. Also think the back straps on wide boards are unnecessarily close to the rails (for foiling). In Tinho's video, if his back foot were just more forward, maybe he'd be trimmed right? Just need some breeze to test this Shok

That's an NP RS:One and has options for straps closer in - not sure why he doesn't use them. I don't know about taking the straps off but I 100% agree that moving the back foot around, especially at beginner speeds and skills is super important. My "aha" moment was putting the back foot in the middle and learning to fly from there. At speed and upwind, the back strap makes more sense. The outboard back straps on my Formula (100cm) board are definitely not in the right place for a foil (although spot on for a fin).

It also looks like he's trying to inch it up instead of popping it up and quickly getting clear of the water. I've foiled for six months, therefore I'm an expert. Wink

(Does remind me of the old joke: What do you call someone who's been kiting for two weeks? An instructor.)

Seriously, yesterday was a pretty darned good day for the foil. Lots of lulls but sunny and 90 - I didn't mind waiting around for the puffs.

Edit: For your Saturday viewing pleasure

0 Like
FoilDodo's picture
FoilDodo
Offline
Joined: 03/19/2008 - 23:50
Posts: 2738
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

Insight into latest evolution:

0 Like
webguy's picture
webguy
Offline
Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13783
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

That's my problem. I have wings on my foil. With the NP foils, I get vings. Lol

Accents aside (my dad had a huge one so I'm throwing stones in a glass house), interesting video. Sounds like the alum foil is the way to go for most folks and NP is getting serious about having their sails last more than a few seasons. Thanks for posting. I guess even NP foils need wind, though....

0 Like
webguy's picture
webguy
Offline
Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13783
Re: Foils: Another one drinks the Kool Aid

Formula windsurfer vs foil

edit: RS:X Convert Worlds highlights

0 Like