Seems lots of foilers have multiple foils to match windspeeds.
ONE foil does not do it all.
A quiver is needed for optimal performance.
Same with windsurfing.
Foil/fin. Board. Sails.
Select to expand quoteLeeD said..
Seems lots of foilers have multiple foils to match windspeeds.
ONE foil does not do it all.
A quiver is needed for optimal performance.
Same with windsurfing.
Foil/fin. Board. Sails.
Many of us do have multiple foils partly because we are addicts and partly because we are still trying to figure out what works when, but like Gordo (?) said, one mid sized freeridefoil can do most of what you need, even very heavy air. To maximize the light wind range you will need either a large foil and 6m or the mid sized foil and 7+m. To go windsurf speed you will need a smaller foil.
PWA slalom rules allow 4 boards and 7 sails for slalom. For foiling, it's generally 1 board, 2 sails, and 2 sets of wings (based on statements by PWA sailors in PWA videos). The wind range is comparable (5-30 knots foiling, 10-35 knots slalom at 2019 events).
One reason to have multiple foil wings is that they are a lot cheaper than boards. Popular boards are in the $2500 range. Popular front wings are in the $500 range. My Slingshot foil setup with 3 wings and 3 masts cost me about $2000 (new). The one board I use for foiling cost less than $100 for repair materials; it would have probably landed on a dump instead. For windsurfing, I use ~7 different boards on a regular basis. Maybe I'll buy another board for foiling in the future, and maybe I'll buy a racier foil. But there's no doubt that it will remain a lot less gear, even with a roughly equal number of sessions on the foil and on the slapper.
Gee, isn't that what I said?
I know at least 5 course race foilers who have 3 front wings for different wind speeds.
As you know, that does NOT cover any kind of free wave, freestyle, or wave foiling.
And wave foiling might require a big light wind small wave foil in the 2,250sq.cm. sizing, a 1,600 size, a 1100 size, and at least a 800 and 500 size for bigger waves or speed trials wind conditions in the +40 knots windspeeds.
One foil is limiting at best.
Yes, I knew windsurfers who owned ONE board and ONE sail for all conditions. Some of them could actually jump, jibe, and loop.
Boardsfr....
Racers use carbon foils....from a grand to 2,500 currently.
True, Starboard foil sets are 2 wings, but SofA almost requires pros to carry at least 4 front wings to all important events.
Easy for sponsored pros.
Tough for fringe players, the majority.
Select to expand quoteLeeD said..
Boardsfr....
Racers use carbon foils....from a grand to 2,500 currently.
True, Starboard foil sets are 2 wings, but SofA almost requires pros to carry at least 4 front wings to all important events.
Easy for sponsored pros.
Tough for fringe players, the majority.
Never really seen 4 front racing wings discussed much ... Starboard and Phantom standard "PWA" set is two wings. Phantom ultimate set comes with 3 front wings. But PWA rules state:
"Competitors shall register 1 set of foil components from the PWA registered Foil list, comprised of 1 foil mast, 2 foil fuselages, 2 sets of front wings and 2 sets of rear wings. "
"Equipment shall be registered by competitors at or before the registration of the first Foil competition of the year that they take part in. The equipment registered by each competitor during this time shall be the total amount of boards and sails that they may use for the remainder of the season."
4 front wings to PWA event, register 2 according to expected winds for event days.
The top 3 Cal Cup guys each have more than 3 front wings each. Doesn't mean they use all of them each event.
Z is starting to work on a front wing. Already makes masts for a few top guys.
Cal Cup is different than PWA.
What keeps a PWA foiler from claiming one of his foils was damaged, lost, or stolen? So he can change during the season.
Select to expand quoteLeeD said..
4 front wings to PWA event, register 2 according to expected winds for event days.
The top 3 Cal Cup guys each have more than 3 front wings each. Doesn't mean they use all of them each event.
Z is starting to work on a front wing. Already makes masts for a few top guys.
Cal Cup is different than PWA.
What keeps a PWA foiler from claiming one of his foils was damaged, lost, or stolen? So he can change during the season.
just copied the PWA rules, unless I dig out the wrong ones there is no mention of "for the day" ... and what manufacturer has 4 front racing wings in production? For a different sailing class: iQfoil Olympic class has just 1 (one) front wing.
Dave, have you ever raced windsurfers? Or anything else?
Pros have older proven gear, and also newer to them not fully tested gear.
The top Cal Cup guys mostly carry their proven stuff and new untested stuff around.
Imagine PRO sailors. Headquartered somewhere like Tarifa, huge van loaded with 2/3rds of their gear.....how hard is it to carry a few proto foils in addition to a ton of stuff.
