Foiling Post

Hi

I have decided to start posting more about foiling.  I recon about one in four posts going forward will be dedicated to this new branch of our sport.

In this post I will share some reader feedback, give my opinion on some developments, look at a surprisingly tasty foiling solution from Pryde, and give a nod to Select who seem to have given their entry into foiling some intelligent thought.

Here goes

Reader Feedback and Loke Foils

A Dutch reader who identifies as “Unknown” tells me that the Pryde Aluminium foils have shown a tendency to deform when really loaded.  He adds that they are also heavy and can fill with water.  I can appreciate this and would personally not spend money on an aluminium foil.  Carbon or nothing!

Unknown says that most of the new foilers in his circle use Loke foils.  I have to say I have been impressed with the appearance of Loke’s products since discovering them some months ago.  

I like the wrap effect they have going on around the mast and also the flange they incorporate to dissipate the load away from the fin box.  Pierre Mortefon is one of their team riders which says a lot about their professionalism.

 

We may not understand their description ("..ont the globality of the fin box..." wtf?) but we understand how the system works

    

I have said it before – why are so many other foil makers not incorporating this function?  I currently own four deep Tuttle box boards, any of which could be used to try foiling but I would not want to risk breaking the fin box of any of them.

Pryde

The Pryde solution I find appealing is the RS:X Convertible range.  These are products developed for the next Olympic games and I have to say that they seem so much more relevant to our sport than Olympic windsurfing products of the past.

The board is a high carbon, feather light slalom shape whose design and construction are perfect for slalom blasting and for foiling.  How awesome is that!

The board is 80cm wide, 134l and only weighs 6.7kg. 

You can buy this board with two proprietary carbon fins (41 and 43) for slalom blasting, and a neat looking foil.  

The foil has the option of mounting the front wing further back for learning (more stability, not so much speed) and further forward for when you are ready for all out racing.  Nice!

Proper fins!

They have not matched their text to the images but we get the picture

Furthermore, if you have a kid who is really gifted and fired up – use the Pryde kit to prepare him or her for the next Olympics!

Just think about it - the above combination covers all of your light wind requirements.  Fly in 8 to 12 knots and when the wind picks up, switch to a regular slalom set-up.  Screw in the big fin and blast with your 7.5m NCX.  Change down on fin size, click on your 6.5m Gator and hold on into strong winds.  You can kiss your formula board, giant sails, long masts and booms goodbye.  Yay!

Select

Looking at Select’s foil I have to be impressed.  They have teamed with Taaroa, the kitefoiling grandmasters, to develop their product.

  

•          Kick-ass French manufacturer – tick.
•          Underside fin-head flange to spread loads away                    from box – tick
•          Deck-plate at fin head bolts to further spread                        bending loads - tick
•          Full carbon construction – tick
•          Etc

Well done Select.  Very impressive!

That’s all for now

Good winds

PS - Please remember Romain's foiling site.  He has good videos and useful information.  
http://www.windfoilzone.com/