Monday, March 18, 2024

Garage Works - 3/18/2024

Got some headway on the garage projects also.  I made a stop at Fiberglass Hawaii to pick up the carbon and pigment for Matt's board (No.35).


And I got the top polyurethane blocks installed.  Tomorrow I'll try to get this shaved down flush (using the surforms).


And I got more prep work done on Duke's board.  I sanded the cut surfaces on the bottom deck so I can feather in the carbon cap sheet.  I also poked lots of holes in the surface of the XPS.  This will get a slick coat of epoxy before I place the first carbon layer - and it will help prevent future delamination (by not wholly relying on contact adhesion - this extra mechanical adhesion will help I think).

I'll laminate this tomorrow. 


I did get the top deck delam patched up.  Here is the filler strips setup.


Here's the setup all prepped and ready for epoxy.


I mixed up 1.4 ounces of aluzine and got the bottom saturated, then placed the patch(es) and got the saran wrap tightly placed.


I'll sand this and place another fill coat on it to get this to finished level.

Evening Session - 3/18/2024

The wind did not materialize this afternoon as I had hoped.  So I put the winging gear away and I brought out the Great White Twin with the Power Twins in place.

The waves looked good when the sets rolled through.  The tide was pretty low at 0.3'


I caught about 10 waves - but they were either really short, I got dropped in on, or I got in a couple of turns and they flattened out.  Weird conditions today...


This setup felt sticky today - probably needs a lot more energy (or at least a wave that runs open a bit more than what was coming through today).  Surfline showed the swell coming in from 184 degrees (almost straight south) and at 64kJ energy.

Almost the whole time I was thinking I could be way outside not having to deal with the surfers and flying on the Foil Drive.  But I quickly remembered why I decided to surf today - super low tide.  No need to scrape bottom again - been doing plenty of that recently.

I was hoping the surf would have been better - glad I'm got out there regardless.

W:30/FD:19/F:4/S:9

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Garage Works - 3/17/2024

The ocean took some tax today.  I hit bottom trying to get out (three times) and I think the leash knocked off one of the Minx diffusers.

I took all of the three remaining diffusers off and epoxied them back on along with the spare that came with the kit.


I hope the epoxy that came with the kit is good stuff.


And speaking of epoxy, I got the mast track block installed on Matt's board tonight (falling temperatures are more important if the temps are up in the daytime).

I'll get the top polyurethane blocks installed tomorrow.  I may also hit Fiberglass Hawaii tomorrow to grab the pigment and carbon for the upcoming lamination job (which I should be able to get to this week in the evenings... depends on the wind which right now is forecasted to increase).


I didn't take any pictures, but I got these two foils patched up.  I knew better...


And last but not least, I addressed the scratches that were on the DW190.  There is a chip on the trailing edge that I couldn't completely negate.  The deep scratches are also still visible.


But overall not a bad tuning - this thing should be in stealth mode now.


This is the bottom surface.  You can still see the deep scratch and the chip on the trailing edge.


That was actually a lot of stuff happening - it went by quick though (I guess that means I was having fun).

Dawn Patrol - 3/17/2024

Hit WPB on the dawn patrol this morning.

The tide was pretty low - and I ended up putting some scratches on the SF960 and the 350P...

The wind was low, temperature was chilly and the waves were coming up.


Still trying to dial in this setup.  I moved everything up in the tracks.  Still had a little bit of backfoot pressure.  Either it all still needs to be moved forward, or I need to take the shim off the rear stabilizer.  Still - probably the least backfoot pressure today - and at times it even felt balanced. 


Longest FD Max session yet.


I had some really long rides.  No repeats (the FD Max is not light) - but why even bother with the FD bolted on.

Before starting out, I changed the settings on the FD to drop it down to the medium power setting.  And it was perfect - I caught all but one (which probably wasn't even catchable) and I had more endurance - 2 hours....)


Dennis, Eddy, and Kalani were out on FDs.  Andrew and Noel were out on SUP foils,

Towards the second half of the session, some decent sized ones were coming through.  I had one that I was up on mast full height and it was still overhead - so good!!!


The wind is trying to make a comeback... we will see what comes up -

W:30/FD:19/F:4/S:8

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Garage Works - 3/16/2024

I checked on Duke's board this afternoon - still moist.  I figured I'd go ahead and take off the carbon that had delaminated from the top deck.  I'll add some cuts to the foam so when I fill it and add the laminate, the repair will hold and will not delaminate (as quickly).


I also went ahead and cut out the delaminated areas on the bottom.  I had actually considered just adding resin and see if the repair would hold - but I realized I'd have to make the cuts into the foam here as well (to slow down the delam).  I just cut it out also.


Once this board dries, I'll get the carbon on - just not sure when that'll be (needs to be dry).

Dawn Patrol - 3/16/2024

Dawn Patrol at Hickam with the Foil Drive setup this morning.

Light northerly winds, lower tide, and a fun sized swell that saw infrequent sets running through the break.  In fact Firsts was barely breaking and everyone was piled up at Seconds.


Same setup as yesterday, but I felt like the whole setup needed to be moved forward.  I had a bunch of backfoot pressure that was telling me this.


And again, missing a few waves was telling me this is a totally different product than the FDA+.  Definitely still in the familiarization phase.

This is pretty common now performance wise.  


Heading out I was keeping the throttle at 25%.  I got out to the first channel marker after 10 minutes, and then the #4 marker after another 5 minutes.

I rode for the time in the above picture, and headed back at 35% (I was not warm).  I had the throttle at 60% and when I was rinsing off at the boat ramp, the battery was reading 14%.


Despite the learn curve botches, I had a lot of really fun waves.  And that was also despite the SUP guys dropping in.

20 waves in an hour and a half - that's a wave every 9 minutes.  Can't really complain about that.


W:30/FD:18/F:4/S:8

Friday, March 15, 2024

Evening Session - 3/15/2024

I got in an evening FD Max session at WPB.  There was actually a strong North wind - strong enough to wing...

The tide was trying to get higher - but I did end up hitting the high spot in front of the first cabin.  And you had to wait for the waves, but when they came they were fun.

The only issue really was the strong offshore wind - on a bunch of waves I was actually getting blown back over the wave, or held up from the drop. 


The modifications to the top deck were awesome!  Made riding more intuitive and it felt completely natural.

I also made sure to get the propellor closer to the board to get some more mast clearance.

The three blade prop is definitely the way to go.


I was really cold - so I didn't stay out as long as I could have.


I had some really fun rides, but also a lot of aborts.  I am noticing in addition to get more waves with the FD Max, I am also getting into more situations where I'm aborting.  I think it has something to do with the huge amount of power available from the Max system.  I think I'm going to start experimenting with the power settings.


Conservatively I caught 15 waves this session - another ridiculously good session!!!


Roland didn't go out - he got there too late because his work mates were drinking beer after work.  But he did go and he said he saw me taking off super early and ripping up the waves.  At first he didn't realize it was me because he didn't see a box on the top deck of the board.  But when I came in he came up and was asking a bunch of questions about the Foil Drive and which version would best suite him.  Hmmmm.....

W:30/FD:17/F:4/S:8

Garage Works - 3/14/2024

Yesterday I went ahead and got No.33 fully converted over to support Foil Drive Max operations.

That involved trimming up the front-most deck pad and installing a small front foot pad where the rear strap retaining insert was.


I also cleaned up the residual adhesive from the velcro that held the FDA+ battery box in place and sprayed clear coat over the vacated space.

I think it came out great!


And I also got to try out the Waiahole Poi Factory plate lunch (for dinner).  I think my laulau is actually better...

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Garage Works - 3/13/2024

Duke brought this over tonight - a Majek prone foilboard that he got for $100

This looks to be one of Glenn's early models - an XPS board with holes in the lamination.


This board has delams top and bottom.  I went ahead and cut open the bottom to let it dry out.  Tomorrow I'll cut off all the delaminated skin and let it dry some more.

Evening Session - 3/13/2024

I got a redemption session in this afternoon.  The conditions were way better than yesterday - smoother surface, favorable tide and just slightly smaller waves.


This was a redemption session mostly because I brought out No.33 and my foiling looked way better than yesterday.




I used the 3-blade prop and it made catching waves much easier.  I did notice faster battery consumption (same result as with the FDA+) - no surprise really.

I also had several rides where I could feel the mast pod touching the water - not good as this instantly slows you down.  I'll make a note to raise the pod next time.

Here's where I set the mast - pretty spot on.


Some really good stats -

I came in with 25% battery left


Way better performance today.


18 waves counting conservatively.


I am noticing a change in weight distribution.  I'm glad I removed the strap attachment plug closest to my front foot - my front foot is going over the spot where I removed the plug.  I'm going to have to put some deck pad over this spot (and perhaps a little bit more in front of the existing pad) so I can tell where my foot is.

Looks like I got it right with No.33!

W:30/FD:16/F:4/S:8

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Evening Session - 3/12/2024

Marlon and I got in a late afternoon session.  The swell is starting to come down from this past weekend, but there were still some fun sized energy.

The south wind was up for the afternoon, but by the time we went out it was dropping fast.  It was still choppy though.  And although I enjoy a good high tide to avoid groundings, the tide was high enough to alter the wave breaking patterns.


Marlon used his longboard for a bit, then broke out the drone.


I tried something different - I rigged the Foil Drive Max to No.34

I was expecting to be able to catch waves super early - totally not the case.  No.33 is much more suitable for Foil Drive duty (at least for me, at this time in my foiling journey).


I did manage to catch and ride several waves.  But as I was figuring out the balance points on this board, and the waves were running together or flattening out - I botched way more than I caught and rode successfully.  I even had a few close calls on some wipeouts...

I may try this setup again when the conditions are better - but now knowing No.33 works the way it does (shorter - way more manageable), I'm going to start altering other variables - like the other props, and mixing in other front foils (Vyper 170, SK8 950, Kujira 980).

W:30/FD:16/F:4/S:8

Monday, March 11, 2024

Garage Works - 3/11/2024

The mast I sent in for repair came back today.

Looks like new -


Except for a chip - probably took a good fall somewhere in the shipping process.


After I calmed down, I set off to fix it.  I used the JB Weld Plastic Bonder I had and viola!!!


It looks bonded well.


And I wet sanded it to 1500


This is the other side.


I also got a clear coat sprayed on, but I didn't take any pictures yet (I got a response to the Facebook Marketplace ad I put up for my UniFoil Progression 170 - sold it!)

This post is backwards chronologically - when I got home I had decided to rest today - too much winging lately.  Instead I decided to work on Matt's board.

I drilled out the corners of where the reinforcement block will go.


Then I used the jigsaw and got the slot walls trimmed out.  In order to get the block out, I used the pull saw and got the hole cleaned out nicely.


Dry fitting the block - perfect fit!!!


I'll get the block epoxied in tomorrow.


No.35 is coming along nicely!