Imax1, foil being on an RB. Wouldnt the crashdive be LESS of a crash? All that bonnet out the front would touch the water earlier into the dive? Lessening the angle? Making it less of a crash.? Or almost no crash.... Gimme a go on this thing.!
This is exactly how it happened yesterday. I was planing along fairly fast & low and decided to shift some weight back... then suddenly the whole board rose up ~half a metre on the 75cm mast... felt like more. My first time that high and I thought I was gonna crash... but I managed to sheet out and lean forward and the huge bonnet went back down for a touchdown in 3-5 seconds - that felt longer like a slow motion car crash waiting to happen... but never did. But I did bail out a few times by leaping backwards when: a. I got too fast; b. I was going down wind too much & losing control of the sail in high apparent wind as there was still a lot of drag slowing me down vs wind speed; c. narrow raceboard at low flight on an ever increasing angle and I didn't have the leverage to bring it back to horizontal... etc. Need to gain & keep control early in high wind or else you lose it fast!
Yep, that's the one, which they copied from the water skiers lol. and now that its popular with surfers and kiters its bringing new life to windsurfing, its the only thing that's progressed in poledancing in 20 years so its a good thing, the new craze just might keep windsurfing from completely dying out. Its seems a lot, majority of polers, that havent progressed to kitesurfing anyways, have progressed to the new challenge of foils, its a good thing
Its not the only thing that has progressed, but congrats as that is almost a sensible post from you.
"....... old school windsuffering general forum, maybe time to close down the general forum?? No use whipping a dead horse. lol" was, as usual, trash posting. Who woulda thought... ![]()
Oh and no, the majority of polies are not going foils. Many who wish to extend lower wind threshold are, but nowhere near a majority.
That's like saying a majority of surfers changed to SUPs to get more wave time, and that SUP is the only thing to change in surfing in 20yrs.
Ignorance.
Zoltan, on the bolt bending/breaking issue. Maybe slide an alloy tube over bolt,cut to correct length for the right amount of squish reqd. Would have to be custom for each board. But surely thatd solve the bent broken issue. Alternatively if possible, use 4 bolts 2 at front 2 at rear. Spaced the width of CB case.
Zoltan, on the bolt bending/breaking issue. Maybe slide an alloy tube over bolt,cut to correct length for the right amount of squish reqd. Would have to be custom for each board. But surely thatd solve the bent broken issue. Alternatively if possible, use 4 bolts 2 at front 2 at rear. Spaced the width of CB case.
Hmmm... Not sure how 4 bolts would work with Deep Tuttle mast heads as they only have 2 bolts. I got the broken bit out easily with mini long nose pliers. Already have it ready to go again with 2 x 170mm High tensile steel bolts with cup head. I went through the warehouse with Nick from Specialty Fasteners and he showed me a range of solutions. Another option is stainless steel threaded rods with nylock nuts at top. That way, just cut rod to size! But I really like the black high tensile bolts. Don't think they need alloy tubes, but I WILL consider using them for the extra reinforcement. I think I damaged the bolts when I hit ground in shallow water. Didn't do it actually sailing.

^^^^^^lol, 10 years on and he still bites every time![]()
Years indeed.
Seek help man.
^^^ foiling that windsurfers did 30yrs ago?
It's more like 40yrs ago...

Link to my FB page with pics & video updates showing boards with foil.https://www.facebook.com/100004231339520/posts/1266699106814455/
Cheers
Zoltan ![]()
Tues. 8.1.19 update:
Foil switch from 2010 RRD X-Fire V2 122L (standard Tuttle box) to 1990s Speed 250L Race Board (Centreboard slot) demonstrating my new Foil Adapter Kit.
www.facebook.com/100004231339520/posts/1267199733431059/
duplication ...
where did you get top black plate ??
Got top black plate from local tip. See other forum.
Re: duplication - different audiences on 'Windsurfing' vs 'Foiling' forums.
Foiling is a niche of windsurfing; not the other way round. I only put it here in Foiling after your earlier 'Oops" comment. The comments are different in nature and level of interest is understandably lower - as readers would mostly have foils and not raceboards.
Great video updates ![]()
Nice fleet of boards for Canberra.
I used to live there for 2 years in mid 80's which made me a really good in light winds on raceboard and had a Div 2 as well.
Keep up the posts
Great video updates ![]()
Nice fleet of boards for Canberra.
I used to live there for 2 years in mid 80's which made me a really good in light winds on raceboard and had a Div 2 as well.
Keep up the posts
Thanks 515. Yes, raceboards suit Canberra really well, which is why mine is a 'forever board'. Actually, all of my fleet are forever boards lol.
I learned to sail in mostly light, shifting wind, among some great sailors. Dave Pitchford (RIP); Brian Raison & his son Brendan who represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics . Clayton Macdonald, Chas Powell (RIP), Doug Maclean, Brad Gunther, Geoff Walker & son Nark, Jeremy Seaton, Robyn Leeson... the list goes on and all good Raceboard sailors.
Hi Zolta,
Yes know some of those names from Canberra Windsurf Club.
I was a uni student then which gave plenty of time on water - good times![]()
Found some photos to share but photo manager seems to freeze![]()
Recently been in contact with old mate Doug on email. Dave was always a fast and great sailor. Reminds us all to make the most of every day ![]()
Cheers Greg
Great video updates ![]()
Nice fleet of boards for Canberra.
I used to live there for 2 years in mid 80's which made me a really good in light winds on raceboard and had a Div 2 as well.
Keep up the posts
Thanks 515. Yes, raceboards suit Canberra really well, which is why mine is a 'forever board'. Actually, all of my fleet are forever boards lol.
I learned to sail in mostly light, shifting wind, among some great sailors. Dave Pitchford (RIP); Brian Raison & his son Brendan who represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics . Clayton Macdonald, Chas Powell (RIP), Doug Maclean, Brad Gunther, Geoff Walker & son Nark, Jeremy Seaton, Robyn Leeson... the list goes on and all good Raceboard sailors.
As a Sydney based windsurfer racer who sailed against quite a few of those mentioned above, may I offer this correction to Brendan Todd's
Olympic participation. He represented Australia at the USA Atlanta Games in 1996 on the Mistral One Design. He placed 8th out of 46 entrants.
Lars Kleppich sailed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, on the same board and placed 4th.
Great video updates ![]()
Nice fleet of boards for Canberra.
I used to live there for 2 years in mid 80's which made me a really good in light winds on raceboard and had a Div 2 as well.
Keep up the posts
Thanks 515. Yes, raceboards suit Canberra really well, which is why mine is a 'forever board'. Actually, all of my fleet are forever boards lol.
I learned to sail in mostly light, shifting wind, among some great sailors. Dave Pitchford (RIP); Brian Raison & his son Brendan who represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics . Clayton Macdonald, Chas Powell (RIP), Doug Maclean, Brad Gunther, Geoff Walker & son Nark, Jeremy Seaton, Robyn Leeson... the list goes on and all good Raceboard sailors.
As a Sydney based windsurfer racer who sailed against quite a few of those mentioned above, may I offer this correction to Brendan Todd's
Olympic participation. He represented Australia at the USA Atlanta Games in 1996 on the Mistral One Design. He placed 8th out of 46 entrants.
Lars Kleppich sailed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, on the same board and placed 4th.
Aaah... sorry, thanks for the corrections ribhiw2 ... oops... So long ago, and it's Brendan Todd too, so not Brian Raison's Son then either it seems. But I think Brendan's dad was also a pretty good sailor too. And Geoff Walker's son is Mark; not Nark. That would be unkind to the poor boy!
Hi Zolta,
Yes know some of those names from Canberra Windsurf Club.
I was a uni student then which gave plenty of time on water - good times![]()
Found some photos to share but photo manager seems to freeze![]()
Recently been in contact with old mate Doug on email. Dave was always a fast and great sailor. Reminds us all to make the most of every day ![]()
Cheers Greg
Absolutely make the most of every day; end the day exhausted, eat, sleep & recharge... then do it all again until you can't ![]()
I also like to remember:
"God made work for man
not man for work" ![]()
z


Hi Zoltan,
Sorry I had a 'sausage finger' moment with your name earlier.
Yes got the photos on
, a great day on the Lake ![]()
Agree work to live!
Cheers Greg
Got GoPro video on the Speed 250L RB + foil using 8.5m sail in a 20 knot easterly that was bloody awesome.
And just as evil boy King Joffrey in Game of Thrones named his newly forged Valarian steel sword "HEART EATER" - made from half the melted steel from the innocent yet executed Eddard Stark's noble sword; I'm re-naming my Speed RB "BOLT BREAKER" after it broke a second back bolt on the foil mast head. But this was no ordinary 80c bolt from Bunnings. This was a $14 High Tensile Steel bolt !!!
So, I'll edit down 2 hours of GoPro video and upload Friday night. Stay tuned.

dude - better to break bolts than foil, board or box !!!
whenever bolt broke on power box fin, i praised the wind god(s)
so much better than #$%^&*()_
ZoltanL, for the RB application. Whered the bolt break? Maybe you need a block of something surrounding the bolts n fitting firmly in CB case? Or tubes cut to correct length to act as strengtheners. Guessing there's some serious forces generated holding a 12ft 18kg board in the air....
Cant wait to see the gopro action.![]()
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Heres a thought for RB use. Drill n tap larger bolts in foil head. Maybe 10mm dia. You can space them however you like coz it fits in a slot. Wont effect the normal use on tuttle setup.
Sure to solve the problem.
dude - better to break bolts than foil, board or box !!!
whenever bolt broke on power box fin, i praised the wind god(s)
so much better than #$%^&*()_
Love this comment Joe <3
z
ZoltanL, for the RB application. Whered the bolt break? Maybe you need a block of something surrounding the bolts n fitting firmly in CB case? Or tubes cut to correct length to act as strengtheners. Guess there's some serious forces generated holding 12ft of board in the air....
Cant wait to see the gopro action.![]()
![]()
![]()
Hey Olskool,
I think I'll try your alloy tube suggestion from a few days ago. I thought it was just ****ty bolts from Bunnings - but these are full-on Dalek Bazooka, super strong, high tensile steel (HTS) M6 bolts from Specialty Fasteners after I explained what I needed them for. I thought the HTS bolts would do the trick... and was quickly proven wrong ![]()
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![]()
Not sure if I need Darth Vader MEGGA Tripple Titanium bolts now LOL ... but will try your alloy tubes first!
ZoltanL, for the RB application. Whered the bolt break? Maybe you need a block of something surrounding the bolts n fitting firmly in CB case? Or tubes cut to correct length to act as strengtheners. Guessing there's some serious forces generated holding a 12ft 18kg board in the air....
Cant wait to see the gopro action.![]()
![]()
![]()
Heres a thought for RB use. Drill n tap larger bolts in foil head. Maybe 10mm dia. You can space them however you like coz it fits in a slot. Wont effect the normal use on tuttle setup.
Sure to solve the problem.
... mate, drilling M10 is also a great idea... THANKS!!!
I need all the help & ideas from you guys I can get!
Think it may have something to do with all that bonnet out the front. Some crew sayin its too much swing weight/leverage. Original foilboards were 12fters. But now theyre mega short??. Rather than tubes over bolts as it only got same size thread. (the weak link.) I'd be inclined to BEEF UP the bolts. Maybe even add an extra bolt...
Apparently breakage likely to occur when trying to get UP ON the foil. Did you notice or feel when it broke?
Apparently breakage likely to occur when trying to get UP ON the foil. Did you notice or feel when it broke?
Yep. Heard it go too this time. Very audible "POP" and it was a goner! It was after some very hard turns into the wind at full speed & probably maximum leverage... think 20 knots board speed heading straight into the shore.. and turning at the last 10 seconds to avoid a crash. It feels beautiful to load the foil up like that, so obviously I did it about 10 times LOL
SO, with less extreme turns it should be fine... but less fun. So I'm really liking your go 10mm bolt idea. Slingshot already use HUGE bolts! Maybe even 12mm diameter. My mate Long has one (Slingshot foil) and flies on his 107 or 112L Isonic.
I think olskool is onto it.
If you can mount the foil into a block that neatly fits into the CB slot it will be solid and hardly any tension on the bolts .
I would mount the foil into a new deep Tuttlebox box and modify that to fit into the CB slot ???
As it is now almost all the forces are pulling on the bolts .
I think olskool is onto it.
If you can mount the foil into a block that neatly fits into the CB slot it will be solid and hardly any tension on the bolts .
I would mount the foil into a new deep Tuttlebox box and modify that to fit into the CB slot ???
As it is now almost all the forces are pulling on the bolts .
I'm thinking UHMWPE = Teflon Block
The block idea (HD EVA??) n big bolts should be the winner. Itll spread the load superbly thru the hull. But if you hit anything id hate to see the resulting mess. All repairable though with a bit of creative glassin.
Now if i could just find a cheap 2nd hand suitable size foil setup. Keen to give this a thrash myself.
ANYONE??