Wing Foiling Session 1/31/2021

We towed Noe's Laser over to Hickam where she and I battled for supremacy of the oceans.  The first two runs I was off foil and got destroyed.  But on the last two runs, I picked up a gust and smoked Noe.  So it was a draw.

Ensis 6.0, HS1850, Uni 300, +1 trim fairing - good setup for today.

From the report, the wind looks like it was perfect.  On the water, there were some sizeable holes and schlogging was necessary.  I got in 6.97 nms and got to 14.5 mph on the powered runs.

La was out too on a Quest - fun session!!!

NWFB Footstrap Inserts Installed

I traced out the insert outlines at the spots they are going to sit then routed out the slots.  I mixed up 2.8 ounces with a bunch of milled fibers and an hour later - done.

I used the residual epoxy and filled in the low spots around the reinforcement blocks.

Next step is laminating the bottom deck fabric.

Epoxying In The Reinforcement Blocks on the NWFB

La and I got home from running errands, but I wasn't feeling well.  I ended up taking a nap.  After I woke up, I still had daylight so I started routing out the reinforcement block slots.  I have a vacuum hose for this laminate trimmer - this operation is pretty clean.

And even though it was dark by the time I finished I started to mix epoxy to set the blocks in place.

I'm going to have to do a little sanding on the upper right front foot strap block - it had some epoxy push out - other than that it seems like everything ended up pretty flush.

I'll get the inserts traced out on top of the blocks tomorrow morning.  I should be able to get those routed out and the blocks epoxied in before lunch - going to tow Noe's boat to Hickam tomorrow so she can sail.  Once these inserts are in, I can go ahead and start laminating the board.  I may try to surf with Marlon in the evening tomorrow - so I'll likely just layout the bottom deck fabric.  If I laminate the bottom on Monday, grind the laps and laminate the top deck on Tuesday, that will have me placing the fill coat on Wednesday, and grinding/sanding/filling/sanding until it's done.  After tomorrow this will start to look like a more finished board.

Measurements for the NFWB Foot Strap Inserts

Marlon and I tried to dawn patrol today - but the surf was almost flat (it was a high tide at 2.35' and the swell was too small to show through that high of a tide).  We came back and I decided to get more work done on the NWFB.  I took the places where I place my feet on my current board (I've been looking and adjusting during the past several sessions - to include where my feet go when I'm riding toeside) - and transferred those positions to the NWFB.

Next I cut out the divynicell reinforcement blocks.  I used a donor block from a previous project for some of the blocks.

These are cut to size so the inserts don't go all the way through.

This was about two hours of work.

This is set up for a windsurfing setup (switch stances after transitions) and an offset regular stance for days I plan on tackling waves.  At this point, La and I took off to run some errands.

Wing Foiling Session - 1/29/2021

Another post work session.

HS1850, Uni 300 tail shimmed with the +1 trim fairing, 85cm mast, 60 cm fuselage, Ensis 6.0

Tide was a low high at 0.7'.  Wind was fun - 15 to 23mph and pretty consistent.  Arvin was out and he had a new Armstrong 5.5 wing.  He was up and down, but we all start small (he'll be ripping soon).

Yeah I was mowing the lawn, but I was focused on practicing my tacks.  As seen in the track below, I'm getting the turns tighter and when the wing is sized right for the wind speed, I can almost pop right out of the completed turn.  Tacks are really muscle memory - I bet if I skateboarded with a wing I could get these tacks down faster and more consistently.

There were a lot of sailboats out - Quests and Lasers - so I had a chance to "informally" race them - not even close - I smoked them silly.  According to my watch I hit 15.3mph (and I had the HS1850 on).  I'm think I could shave off another mph if I use the HS232 rear stabilizer.

Another successful session!

Mast Tracks (Futures One Shot Boxes) Epoxied In The NWFB

The trouble with making your own boards is when the wind or surf is up, you aren't making your own board.

I purposely stopped winging a bit early so I could get home and work on the NWFB.  I mixed up 3.5 ounces of epoxy and used only about a half of that on both boxes.  Marlon used the rest of the epoxy to fil some gaps on his alaia blank.

Not much to say on this - all cozy in their pockets, set in epoxy and ready to rock!  Tomorrow will either be laminating the bottom deck fabric, or cutting in the footstrap reinforcement blocks (you can see them on the upper right corner of this picture).  We'll see how I feel tomorrow.  I also took on another ding repair project... lots of sanding and epoxy in my future.

Wing Foiling Session - 1/28/2021

The wind was blowing all day in the 25mph+ range.  I punched out of work at 1500 and headed over to Hickam.  I bolted on the HS1250 and moved the mast all the way forward.  I also replaced the 0 degree fairing with the +1 - figured I'd see how it worked.  I saw the same thing happen today that I saw yesterday - as I drove up and looked out at the harbor, nothing but whipped up white water.  Then as I a getting ready to pump up the wing, the wind backs off.  I pumped up the Ensis 5.2 to err on the conservative side.

All the equipment worked brilliantly today.  The 5.2 was never overpowered and these Ensis wings really do help get the foil up and working (especially compared to the F One Swing).  The +1 fairing really helped keep the nose level, which in turn helped the board cut through the wind (instead of fighting it).  And the HS1250 helped me make several of my inbound tacks.

Speaking of tacks, I decided I would focus solely on tacks today.  The more you do something, the more it becomes second nature.  Towards the end of the session, I was nailing my weak side tacks (in bound, riding heel side goofy foot), and I was almost foiling through my outbound tacks.  I was out from 3:30 to 5 and I got 12nms in.  Peak speed was 16.5mph.  Wind was a notch stronger than yesterday - always a plus!

Fun after work session!

Wing Foiling Session - 1/27/2021

Got a session in after work today.  It was blowing like stink when I drove up - I pumped up the Swing 4.2.  But as I was rigging, I looked over and I could see the wind dropping.  I went out with this setup anyways.

I know it is not a direct comparison, but Ensis wings are way more powerful than the Swing design.

With the wind gusting and lulling a lot, I got in a bunch of shlogging practice.  When the wind was up it was really up - but then inevitably it would drop off shortly after (quite frustrating).  I was out from 4 to 5:30 - you can see on the graph that the wind did drop off.

Bottom Deck Handle Glued In

I got the bottom deck handle glued in last night.  I used White Foaming Gorilla Glue since this will not be load bearing (foil loads that is).

The foam did a good job of filling the surrounding void.  I should have epoxied in the mast tracks (but I went winging instead - next post).

Marlon's Next Board

Marlon and I decided to go in a different direction for his next board.  This is going to be an alaia.

We picked up the planks last night and this afternoon we glued them together.  There is a gap that we couldn't close, but that is what epoxy is for.

This will barely be 6', but it'll have some width to it to get some paddling ability in.

Bottom Inserts on the NWFB

After I mowed the lawn and helped La learn some carpentry, I felt compelled to get some more progress done on the Narrow Wing Foiling Board.

Measure - measure - measure - cut.

Actually came out perfect!

And I went ahead and cut out the bottom deck handle.

If the predicted south swell does not show up tomorrow, I can get these inserts epoxied in and laminate the bottom deck fabrics.

After that, I'll have to turn the board over, figure out where I'll place the footstrap inserts and route out the holes for the divynicell blocks.  Lots of work still to follow - but this is always the most critical step (so it's all downhill from here).

Dawn Patrol - 1/24/2021

Marlon and I went on the dawn patrol this morning.  There were waves (around belly high) but the surface was a little choppy.  The tide was a dropped high that bottomed out around 0.6'.  Longboard and low tide setup.

I caught a couple handful of waves, but I switched to the Go Foil GL180 and I had the typical "adjustments".  I actually tweaked my neck, cut the tops of my right toes, and hit my left heel on a rock... I'd say I was paying taxes today...

Fun rides - nothing ground breaking.

Chop Shop Foil Sanded and Touched Up

Yesterday I took off the excess epoxy and sanded through the 40-60-120-180-220-320 grits.  Here is the foil just after I finished the wet sanding (320-500-1000).

And here it is after I put touch up paint on it.  It looks pretty rough when you look at it up close - but from normal distances you wouldn't be able to tell it wasn't a new foil.

Considering the starting point, through to the finish sanding, this really turned out well.  Just in time for a new south swell!!!

Maria Bonita

This isn't really amphibious, but I'm posting on it anyways since this is pretty important. Awesome Mexican food for lunch yesterday!!!  Noe's pulled chicken burrito.

I love their Carnitas Chimichanga - so decadent!!!

Even La thought the food was wonderful (that is saying a tremendous amount of praise).

This truly is my favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Hawaii (maybe even the world) - Maria Bonita on Hotel Street.

If you are in the area, stop in and tell Diego I sent you!  Then prepare yourself for a wonderful culinary experience!

Wing Foiling Session - 1/23/2021

The wind was forecasted to be up today!!!  Kalani talked me into going to WPB early.  There was some wind, but it wasn't strong enough to go out yet.  With the ever so slightly lighter wind (compared to yesterday), I put the HS1850 back on.

I also pumped up the Ensis 6.0.  The wind did pick up around 7:30.  The tide was a dropping high (0.7' to 0.6' while I was out), so I did not really fret about the bottom (just paddled the board upside down while making sure the wing stayed away).

Here is what iwindsurf.com said the wind was doing.  I also am posting the Honolulu International Airport read out as that sensor seems to be more accurate.  In this case the Kalaeloa did not seem to be too far off.

I forgot my watch so I couldn't record this session.  I did make a bunch of runs to the outside.  I was having a hard time on the outbound tacks - I could get through the turn, but lost it setting up for the trip back in - the wind was borderline for a while.  I did better on jibes, but I would lose a lot of ground if I rode toeside for too long.  There were some nice waves on the outside - I did ride several, but two stuck out.  One I rode toeside and luffed the wing for quite some time.  The second I did the same thing, but I was heelside riding the wave goofy footed.  Fun session with minimal entry/exit drama - can't ask for much more than that!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 1/22/2021

I got another winging session in this afternoon after work.  I pulled up to the parking lot and the whole bay was chopped up white water.  I decided to try something different - I bolted on the HS1250.  

I had to move the mast up as far forward as it would go - and I brought the torque wrench down to the beach with me in case I needed to make an adjustment.  With the wind as strong as it was, I pumped up the Ensis 5.2m.

The HS1250 worked awesome!  Granted the wind was nuking so I was not wanting for more lift, but it delivered smooth, progressive lift and I never felt over powered (on the foil/board side - the wing was something completely different).

I got 10 nms in today and topped out at 15.2 mph.  I had a harder time with the transitions today - primarily because the wind was so strong (gusts were way above 30 mph), especially the tacks.  I did jibe into some waves and luffed the wing.  I'll take it one step at a time!!!  There were a couple of runs where the gusts pretty much blow me down - think by popping the rear stabilizer.  Tomorrow I may try the +1 trim fairing.

Strong trades are awesome!!!