Select to expand quoteThis is a subject where perceptions will largely be affected by skill level. In other words the better sailor you are the less of a challenge this is and the less you blame the gear. I know improving my skill and keeping the board heeled to windward more will help. I have noticed that it is usually a wave that breaks it free but I can bust it loose in a hard turn into the wind trying to foil tack.
Are any of you having instances where in the proximity of a wave crest or in a really hard turn you lose all lateral traction? I am trying to understand all the factors involved. I noticed this happening on my SAB 1100 especially when I used the 483 stab that has very little anhedral/dihedral curve. Switching to the 450 stab with more curve the situation nearly goes away. SAB 790 with the 450 stab has been the most resistant to spin out but it is still possible. Both these Mosses front wings have downturned tips that intuitively should increase traction.
On my Go Foil set up with the gl240 and FLT20 tail it is very quick to slip out. Not too surprising because that front wing and tail wing have very little dihedral/anhedral curve with only slight down turned tips. Switching to the flip tip tail helps it. Switching front wings to the thicker Maliko 200 that has a lot of anhedral curve and the traction comes back.
I am curious about folks that went from SAB 790 or the SS I74 to wings like the Balz 799 if they noticed a reduction in grip? Mr, Smooth, JJ, thedoor?
What do you think are the key factors? Is it all about dihedral/anhedral shape, or? Should the side load be carried on the main wing alone or is it okay to solve it with the stab? What sailing techniques help prevent side slip? How does foil to sail distance affect lateral traction? I ride a very short distance between the two and I wonder if that is increasing the tendency, I am pretty sure it does. The other factor could be the profile and thickness of the mast, when riding flat that's the leeway resistor so a stall resistant shape on the mast could affect things noticeably.
Thanks all!
Sorry, when I paste in from another software it ends up in quotes. I also misspelled losing in the title. I distilled down the last post.
So I am trying to understand what affects lateral grip.. Perhaps you all can share your experiences.
I have tried a handful of wings on a few different platforms. All the setups I have tried can break free sideways, especially in waves. Some are better than others.
From my experience and intuition it seems to me that having some dihedral/anhedral curve to both the front wing and tail wing can increase grip.
Obviously riding with more heel will increase grip but at some point you need or want to ride flat even if only for a second.
Did anyone who switched from the SAB 790 or the SS I76 to Balz 799 notice a loss in grip?
How does sail to foil dimensions affect grip? I am wondering if really compact set ups promote a loss of grip?
Lastly how much do you think mast cross section factors in? What about mast height?
I've only ridden the hoverglide I76 and phantasm PFI730. The smaller stab on the phantasm is more "floaty" in pitch whereas the I76 stab is more "locked in". Not that either one is better ot worse, just different. As far as yaw or "spin out", if I try a super aggressive turn in light wind, I could spin the tail out. At higher speeds, can't say I've ever lost "grip" regardless of sail/foot pressure. Waves don't have any effect on grip as long as I don't foil out. The only grip issue I've ever had is crossing motor boat "foam" aerated water. I just stand straight up when crossing boat wakes and it works fine.
Never had a loss of lateral grip, even in overpowered conditions with 2-3+ foot waves and too big of a sail, using AFS W95 foil and F1080, F770, and S670 wings, all with the same stabilizer and using 1 AFS shim.
I've had a few spin out feeling moments over 4 years of foiling. Probably weed related. i I think one was when pushing the back foot slalom style aNo the other pushing both feet like an upwind angle.
Nico Pren had a few videos about it.
