Foiling advice

[stringp]

Hardest thing about this is the up hauling. If you are 200lb and can up haul a 25 wide in swell you are my hero.
New Slingshot Dialer 145 arrived. Way easier to pump onto a foil that my old POS. Went out yesterday on a 5.3 before the wind came up (see graph). Went down to a 4.2. Surprisingly, the 4.2 still worked when the wind dropped to 18. Harness lines still just get in the way as I have to make frequent and large sail adjustments. No footstraps. Easier to crash.

[mac]

Chandler--an old formula board is the best bet and easiest learning. When Jesper Vesterstroem came and discovered foiling, he was able to use a wide slalom board (maybe 80 cm?), but he is a remarkable athlete and only 40. A wider board lets you get back if the wind dies, is more stable, and has more leverage over the foil. That means it is more stable--an important consideration at all times, but particularly when learning.

[grantmac017]

I'm using an old Mistral Devil 2 formula board, so pretty long nose and maximum width around the mast foot. Only thing I could think which would make it an easier board to learn on would be slightly less outboard straps. Otherwise it's extremely forgiving of both foiling out and occasional touch downs.

Still haven't nailed down sail selection yet. It seems that RAF sails are easier to pump onto the foil but just can't point or glide all that well.

I will say that being well powered in 2-3' wind swell is a very intense experience.

[dllee]

Consider no cam freeride slalom sails.
Stability from lots of battens.
Almost full foil shape when slightly loaded.
NOT flat when there is no wind.
Transitions happen smoother and quicker.

[stringp]

I'm using old Northwaves with 5 battons. Yesterday's graph was perfect 3.7. Does the sail really matter that much in those conditions? Still can't figure out how to use harness lines. Maybe the softness in the sails requires too many adjustments.