Hello,
I am a recreational slalom sailor with the following quiver: 85cm and 71 cm wide boards, 9.4, 7.8, 6.9 sails. I have just started to learn how to foil with a Neilpryde Flight Al which I am using on the 85cm wide slalom board & 6.9.
I am thinking about getting a dedicated foil board, to progress and foil in light winds (replacing the 85cm slalom & 9.4) and then switching to 71cm wide and 7.8 on the fin when the wind is stronger, and wanted some advice.
Any advice on the following boards? I would keep using the NP Flight Al, and the 6.9 slalom sail until I get better.
JP Hydrofoil 135
Starboard Foil Freeride 150
FMX Veloce Foil 134
Severne Alien 145
I weight 100kg so I guess this is the right size board and not smaller especially since I want to be using in lighter winds? (eg smaller starboard & severnes)
Thanks!
recreational slalom sailor + 100kg
the bigger the better, go for the 150 starboard, very good board and plenty of float !
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said..
recreational slalom sailor + 100kg
the bigger the better, go for the 150 starboard, very good board and plenty of float !
Also look at getting a bigger wing for your foil. In the Pryde ecosystem, you could piece together one of the new HA wings (you'll need fuse and stab, too) to go with your Flight. The 15 would be twice as big as what you are riding or the 13 if you don't want to go too big. If you want a ton of lift, go even bigger since it sounds like you just want it for lighter days. I'm not sure all sizes are available yet. 
Fanatic Stingray 140 LTD is a gem if you can track one down - I'm nearly 100kg, and the board works beautifully in 10-30+ knots
At your weight (similar to mine) you want to get a board of at least 140 liters, about 85 cm width, and has both deep tuttle (or "foilbox") as well as dual track. Future-proof since freeride foiling is going toward all dual track.
Like Peter I have the Fanatic Stingray 140 LTD, which ticks all the boxes above. That is my freeride goto board.
I guess you are more into the racy kind of foiling? Then bigger is better. If you tend to go for a more freeride orientated foiling style in the long term, I would look for a board not too big and more inboard foot-strap options. I am unfortunately in the same weight range and I just changed from a 130l Horue Tiny to a 120l Goya Airbolt.
Looking at your sails, and the fact that you like slalom, and your weight I would not go for freeride/freerace boards.
Once you progress you'll want bigger sails to go in lighter winds and you want to go faster.
If you want to foil in 8-10 knots with 100 kg you will need a bigger sail (9.0).
The 9.4 slalom might work on the Starboard 150 but will not be great.
I'd go for a recent 91cm slalom foil board. Latest models have a pinched shape in the back bottom for easier take off and have a ton (200+) of volume. You can do racing and slalom foil on it. If you do not like slalom foiling go for the 100cm. The 6.9 will still be okay-ish on it.
You can get a formula board if you are want to race but they will take a lot more effort in getting flying than your 85cm. Min. 1m2 extra on the sail.
If you get a freeride board you want to upgrade again soon. Will be more costly in the end.
You foil will not be a great match, you need something better here also.
Get an alu racefoil with an upgrade path to High modulus carbon. Control is everything once you get better. Foiling with smaller slalom wings is extremely nice. The race foil will be easier to foil with than your current foil: more stability, easier to gybe. Light wind range will also improve a lot.
I would go for this order:
1. Upgrade the foil for a race foil with 115 cm fuselage. Carbon if you can, alu is also okay to if there is an upgrade path in the future. 1 wing? go for 900. 2 wings go for 1000 and something smaller. IQ foil from starboard is great in Alu and you get a smaller fuse (95) with it. If you choose carbon there are more options, just get a High modulus mast if you buy a new foil.
Foiling the 9,4 on the 85 slalom will not be comfortable due to the pinched back. The 7.8 for sure will be okay.
2. Foil board 91 or 100 wide
3. Replace the 9,4 with a 9.0 foil racer.
4. Get some slalom foil wings / fuselages
Select to expand quotePeter Hands said..
Fanatic Stingray 140 LTD is a gem if you can track one down - I'm nearly 100kg, and the board works beautifully in 10-30+ knotsSelect to expand quotesegler said..
Like Peter I have the Fanatic Stingray 140 LTD, which ticks all the boxes above. That is my freeride goto board.
+1 for the Stingray 140.
I've got the HRS version, and it's a great board even in the heavier construction (which was the only one available at the dealer when I bought the board).
Thanks for the suggestions, sounds like to make more progress I would be better off investing in a bigger foil (replacing the np alu) and just use that on the 85 slalom rather than invest in a foil board?
My original intention was to sell the big slalom board and 9.4, and replacing then with the dedicated foil board using the 6.9 /7.8 slalom sails to maximise conditions I can get out in whilst streamlining my quiver.
I started on the same foil (assuming you mean the pryde pink one). Get rid of it!!! It is not good for learning and is downright terrible for heavy weights. I moved on to Slingshot and it was like night and day. Nothing hugely wrong with a big slalom board for learning stage of foiling - certainly far more important to be on a good foil than a poor foil and a good board.
Its not the pink one, its the blue/green (2020) neilpryde flight Al with the carbon wings
I'm far from an expert but I weigh 95kg+ and have tried a few different combinations.
if not into racing & want to foil in light winds get a 2sq metre foil & you won't have to struggle with sails bigger than 8 M. I use a Slingshot 99 (width not area) in light winds & friends like their 1850.
Formula boards are good but if Tuttle box only it can be difficult to get the main wing far enough forward if using freestyle foils. Not a problem with race foils as their fuselages are so long.
Levitator 150 or 160 lt with infinity 99 and 90 cm mast would be good for you. I made the best progress with this set-up. I sold all of my formula gear and sails bigger than 8.2. But lately my largest sail had been Sailworks flyer 7.0 that goes on 430 skinny mast. With the race foils, you need larger sails which is more physical and tiring. Now I am using 160 lt levitator and Armstrong CF2400 for light days and HS1850 for stronger windy days. Armstrong is a carbon set-up and 3 kg lighter that Slingshot and corrosion is not an issue while Slingshot foils requiring frequent grease to prevent it.
At 95 kg I have an old formula board with a typical too-far-aft deep tuttle finbox. The Slingshot Infinity 76 in the B position works just fine on it. Balances nicely. Sail mast base is 42 inches forward of the front fin screw.
The low aspect ratio snow-shovel-shaped wings have a very broad balance point.
