So AFBC (Atlanta Foil Board Club) members what say you - are purpose built boards and sails going to be a necessary part of the arsenal or just a nice idea?
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What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
So AFBC (Atlanta Foil Board Club) members what say you - are purpose built boards and sails going to be a necessary part of the arsenal or just a nice idea?
Sample size: 1 One guy's opinion especially after having seen the Pryde RS:One package. Been meaning to write this up.
It depends. What's your budget; are you a gear nerd or do you like just to jump on and ride; can you afford to tear up the board you are currently riding? In my case it was: limited, nerd and yes (though I would be sad).
Purpose built flattens the learning curve and takes away the fear of tearing up a beloved wide board (although many foils now come with plates and flanges to minimize the stress on boards). Things are in the right place and you don't have to spend time and energy trying to learn and figure out board set up all at the same time.
If the budget allows it, I say purpose built. If budget priorities are elsewhere (kids need to be fed, schooled, say) slapping a less expensive foil into a deep tuttle Bic and sailing your sort of recent 6.5 will still be a ton of fun. You'll fall a bit more at first and have to invest in a box of Sharpies as you sort out straps, mast base, etc.
Disclaimer: I'm on a "pre-owned" foil, 12 yr old board and 10 yr old wave sails. If I won the lottery, things would be different. Maybe.
Sounds like either used or purpose built will become restricted to WS or foiling, if you've got to move straps around to convert back and forth. Rigging already takes too much time.
Sounds like either used or purpose built will become restricted to WS or foiling, if you've got to move straps around to convert back and forth. Rigging already takes too much time.
I may have been unclear. None of our little group is converting back and forth. I've only sailed a big fin once since the beginning of the Foil Epoch - in FL where the water was shallow.. For CV, it's a non issue. His go-to in light air was the Equipe. In winds between 8 and 25, he will invariably foil. I've only rigged the 9.5 twice in that time. Once in FL and once at the regatta for use on a long board.
Purpose built/convertible boards don't really have the footstrap issue by foiling in light winds and going into slalom mode in higher winds when you don't need to push as hard on a fin upwind as you are primarily reaching. The outboard position in older wide boards is determined by the upwind stance in lighter air pushing on a big fin. The RS:One uses a 41 and 43 cm fin for an 80cm wide board. A full on windsurf board might easily use a 48-50 in the same width. With a smaller fin in slalom conditions, you don't need to be outboard.
(btw, anyone need a Starboard 70cm fin. I don't need the quiver of 70s I used to have. A True Ames 65cm powerbox fin is also available. $75 each)
I have a big fin or 2, suitable for the Formula-ish board I'm using for the foil and I'm keen to try that out with big sails. But every time I go– I look at the fins, look at the foil, look at the fins ... and say FOIL! (You'll see). I'm using my 3rd board now for foiling. First was the Hypersonic Radny sold me. It was too small for learning to foil (took me a year to figure that out). Next was a beater formula board I found for $150. I broke it and fixed it a lot. The Exocet board I'm using now seems just right for my size 140 liters, 80 cm. For foiling, I've taken the back straps off, so pretty simple to convert back for regular fin riding... 4 screws, cordless drill– voila!
The dedicated board thing seems like marketing to me. Subtle shaping in front to soften hard touchdowns while learning– meh. Once you have some mastery of foiling (which, if you're not me, apparently takes ONE session), what does it matter?
So I have my GO board. Might be useful to have a big fin again. Can I get a bidding war going Webster and Dude ? (by bidding war I mean you guys try to beat each other's price).
—
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
So I have my GO board. Might be useful to have a big fin again. Can I get a bidding war going Webster and Dude ? (by bidding war I mean you guys try to beat each other's price).
For you , it's $85 - $75 + transfer fee. I'm adopting the Comcast model. The price is good until yesterday. Then it goes up to our everyday value of $99. Of course, as soon as you buy it, we'll offer it to your neighbors for 40% off.
More ( a lot of kite and surf options): https://foilmount.com/blogs/installation/hydrofoil-connection-guide
New Wave version
Original Motown version
Literally foils from A to Z. Lots of French companies. They seem to have the lead in foils.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Windfoil specific sail from Sailworks. Four batten, two cam.
http://www.sailworks.com/the-gear/sails/flyer.html
All sizes but the smallest are out of stock.
Guess where this kid is from... (original: https://www.rsconvertibleclass.com/photos
So AFBC (Atlanta Foil Board Club) members what say you - are purpose built boards and sails going to be a necessary part of the arsenal or just a nice idea?
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Sample size: 1 One guy's opinion especially after having seen the Pryde RS:One package. Been meaning to write this up.
It depends. What's your budget; are you a gear nerd or do you like just to jump on and ride; can you afford to tear up the board you are currently riding? In my case it was: limited, nerd and yes (though I would be sad).
Purpose built flattens the learning curve and takes away the fear of tearing up a beloved wide board (although many foils now come with plates and flanges to minimize the stress on boards). Things are in the right place and you don't have to spend time and energy trying to learn and figure out board set up all at the same time.
If the budget allows it, I say purpose built. If budget priorities are elsewhere (kids need to be fed, schooled, say) slapping a less expensive foil into a deep tuttle Bic and sailing your sort of recent 6.5 will still be a ton of fun. You'll fall a bit more at first and have to invest in a box of Sharpies as you sort out straps, mast base, etc.
Disclaimer: I'm on a "pre-owned" foil, 12 yr old board and 10 yr old wave sails. If I won the lottery, things would be different. Maybe.
Sounds like either used or purpose built will become restricted to WS or foiling, if you've got to move straps around to convert back and forth. Rigging already takes too much time.
Bill Herderich
I may have been unclear. None of our little group is converting back and forth. I've only sailed a big fin once since the beginning of the Foil Epoch - in FL where the water was shallow.. For CV, it's a non issue. His go-to in light air was the Equipe. In winds between 8 and 25, he will invariably foil. I've only rigged the 9.5 twice in that time. Once in FL and once at the regatta for use on a long board.
Purpose built/convertible boards don't really have the footstrap issue by foiling in light winds and going into slalom mode in higher winds when you don't need to push as hard on a fin upwind as you are primarily reaching. The outboard position in older wide boards is determined by the upwind stance in lighter air pushing on a big fin. The RS:One uses a 41 and 43 cm fin for an 80cm wide board. A full on windsurf board might easily use a 48-50 in the same width. With a smaller fin in slalom conditions, you don't need to be outboard.
(btw, anyone need a Starboard 70cm fin. I don't need the quiver of 70s I used to have. A True Ames 65cm powerbox fin is also available. $75 each)
I have a big fin or 2, suitable for the Formula-ish board I'm using for the foil and I'm keen to try that out with big sails. But every time I go– I look at the fins, look at the foil, look at the fins ... and say FOIL! (You'll see). I'm using my 3rd board now for foiling. First was the Hypersonic Radny sold me. It was too small for learning to foil (took me a year to figure that out). Next was a beater formula board I found for $150. I broke it and fixed it a lot. The Exocet board I'm using now seems just right for my size 140 liters, 80 cm. For foiling, I've taken the back straps off, so pretty simple to convert back for regular fin riding... 4 screws, cordless drill– voila!
The dedicated board thing seems like marketing to me. Subtle shaping in front to soften hard touchdowns while learning– meh. Once you have some mastery of foiling (which, if you're not me, apparently takes ONE session), what does it matter?
So I have my GO board. Might be useful to have a big fin again. Can I get a bidding war going Webster and Dude ? (by bidding war I mean you guys try to beat each other's price).
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I think I have a Groupon for .01 percent off.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Bruce Peterson explains his foil-specific sail.
Chris is on to something using cammed 6.5, 5.5. I'm dragging a cammed 6.5 out of storage.