Foiling thoughts

kmf · Joined: 02 Apr 2001 Posts: 503

I find that I can water start my foil board in really light winds, well before I am overpowered on the size of sail that I am using. I am using a 135 liter board with a foil mast 36 inches long with all the foil stuff on the bottom. It is like water starting on to a sidewalk.

KMF

LUCARO · Joined: 07 Dec 1997 Posts: 661

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

Since people are breaking the uphaul rules, what about the 1.5 -2m smaller sail rule??? I can understand not wanting to uphaul a 7.0.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Rule? Or suggestion aimed at novices?
I often rig slightly smaller than the 8 foilers who rig near me. If the winds are really marginal, I might rig a meter bigger. Talking relative to weight.
If I insist on riding a 85 liter fsw, I'd usually rig bigger than the foilers.

kmf · Joined: 02 Apr 2001 Posts: 503

It is all relative to the type and size of the foil, and how well the board can get you going to the lift speed of the foil that you are using, how heavy you are, if you can pump etc. etc.

I don't have any idea what I am doing, but can foil a 5.2 without pumping in winds 12-18, average of 15 at swell city using a 135 l. dedicated foil board. I weigh 150.

KMF

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

Water starting is and issue at first. your going to bump the foil. Once you figure out where all that stuff is, its easy to avoid. Someone here said to put your foot on the foil wing. I tried that the other day and it worked great. Water starting well be the normal thing while foiling. The more we foil the more we learn to control our gear. Using a sail just big enough to water start works great for me now. Maybe not the first few times out....

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550