Evening Session - 3/30/2023

The sun is definitely starting to set later.  Marlon and I got a late start on our evening session - this was at 5:45pm

The thermals that had kicked up earlier got choked out by the clouds.  The tide was really low - so foiling was not in the forecast for me.

Marlon had already gone on the dawn patrol (said it was good), so this was a bonus session for him.  With that feedback, I was interested in using something different than the Sweet Potato.  I was thinking the Toots 7'4" Asymmetric, but I didn't have any fins in the boxes.  I then pulled out the Seaside and Beyond.  Perfect choice!

I caught a handful of waves - and the Seaside and Beyond just ate them up - this is another really fun board to use when there is some energy in the waves.

The cold I picked up seems to be peaking today - this session helped to rinse out my sinuses and got my blood flowing.

W:29/F:20/S:19

Garage Works - 3/29/2023

I've been contemplating the rail and tail shapes on No.30

Yesterday I marked up the blank with navigation points (where to cut) and today I went ahead and started shaping.

The shaping actually went pretty quickly.

Bottom deck

Bottom deck

Bottom deck

Top deck

Top deck is on top

Bottom deck is up in this picture

And this is the top deck again.

I may let this sit a day or two - just to go back to it with fresh eyes.  I'll start the blank sanding process and get the mast track reinforcement block mapped out.  With this one being the first long prone foiling board I'm making, I'm probably going to use two sets of Futures one shot boxes - just debating if it is going to be a 8.5" and 10.75", or 2 10.75" boxes.

Garage Works - 3/26/2023

After a nap, I went out into the garage to work on the boards in progress.  First up was getting the volume distribution on the big prone/light wind winging board dialled in.

I broke out the Makita 18V planer for this work.

I'm comfortable with where the top deck and bottom rocker are at currently.  I'll try and keep as much volume on this as possible, so that'll mean minimal foam removal.  There will be chines on the bottom deck, but most of the removal will be at the tail block - which I haven't completely figured out yet.

I'll go through some iterations in my head - but I think it will involve tapering after the track boxes and keeping the bottom as flat as I can.

This will most likely become a 'V' tail.

And while I was at it, I got the template marked out on the new prone foil board (I need to have more room forward of where the current 4'8" track is installed).

I didn't hook up the vacuum to planer today - just focused on removing bulk foam.

And with these short prone boards, since I know how I want them to end up, the rough shaping goes pretty quick.  I got this one pretty much completed today (still need to sand it and then I'll install the mast track reinforcement block, etc, etc, etc).

The boxes are laid out 2" further forward than the current board.

When you know what you want to emerge from the blank, shaping is easy - just takes time (so you don't take too much too fast).

I also really like shaping stringerless blanks - so easy when you don't have to shave down stringers.

I really like this length - the current board has been super versatile.  And the shorter boards I've made since have helped me define what works for me and the waves I usually find myself in.  

Dawn Patrol - 3/26/2023

The tide was low this morning, so for the dawn patrol, I decided to do some fin testing.

There was actually some fun surf.

I took the NVS Webber Transformers out and installed the Endorfin Twins.  The next couple of pictures show the difference between the two fins.

The Endorfin Twins did not have the same grip, drive and release that the Webber Transformers have.  I caught a handful of waves with the Endorfins, then I went in and changed out the fins back to the Transformers.

I paddled back out and proceeded to shred - the Transformers have a permanent place on the Sweet Potato.

I'm not giving up on the Endorfins - I think they will have a place in the Cymatic.  The bottom details on the Sweet Potato are way different than the Cymatic - pretty much flat compared to the deep channels in the Cymatic.  I think those channels will work better with the Endorfin Twins profile.  More to follow...

W:29/F:20/S:18

Garage Works - 3/25/2023

And yesterday evening I knocked out the sanding of this repair.  I used 40-80-120-180-220.

This was a fun rebuild - but I need room in the garage to build the prone paddle (foil) board. 

Wing Foiling Session - 3/25/2023

But this is the real reason I didn't get skunked.

After coming home from Kailua, La and I checked out the Lineup Wave Pool at the end of the neighborhood access road.  It was crowded so we didn't get down, but behind it I could see the whitecaps out on the ocean.  No question what I did after that...

When I got to the parking lot, Eli was already breaking his gear down.  He said he was using his small wing, but that the wind had started dropping.  I walked over to the beach and the wind had almost gone calm at the beach - but you can see the texture outside.

I setup the Kujira 1210 on the 85cm Project Cedrus mast, the Stringy direct bolt fuselage and pumped up the RS 6.1.  There was a big cloud overhead so I figured the conditions would turn around.  The wind hadn't come up but I went ahead and paddled out.

It did come up and I had a great time for over an hour.

Derek came out (and like always was taking pictures - these came from his upload to a What's App group.

The waves were fun!  Rollers coming in, but not death defying.

I got almost 14 miles in during the 1.3 hours the wind was blowing.

I felt some shifting in the rig... turns out the front foil screws were loosening up.

Honestly the way the wind felt - this was a thermal.

I'll take it!  I can't complain about any of the water time activities I've been doing lately - but getting to wing is always special.

W:29/F:20/S:17

Almost Skunked - 3/25/2023

Marlon and I went to the beach yesterday morning - but the waves were a little sloppy.  We actually decided to go back home and do other things (partially because Marlon was still a little sick).

Then I got a text sent from someone selling foiling gear that I could meet them in Kailua and try out a new foil.  La and I headed over but by the time we got there, the wind had droppped off significantly.

That didn't stop this guy and a few others.

This 10m Reedin Supermodel was powering a mastless Hobie Wave.

So at this point I was skunked (but I didn't set up any gear and go out - so technically I wasn't skunked).

Evening Session - 3/24/2023

The surf report called for similar conditions to the past couple of days.  I really didn't believe the report so I brought out 2 foil setups.  I definitely am looking for more of the same surfy feeling that the Vyper 170 has been delivering, but I also didn't want to have to wait for the bigger set waves and for that I thought the Eagle 1090 would be the right foil.

Well - with the bigger tide, the same swell was a little less energetic - so I bolted on the Eagle 1090.  I had also wanted to change more things up so I used the 75cm Project Cedrus mast.

What another fun setup!  I took the DW210 off and used the KD 15" - and it was spectacular!  I am constantly amazed at how well this foil glides and at the same time it can carve hard turns on fast moving sections.  

I caught multiple waves and most were at least doubles (if not triples).

These past few days have been incredibly fun!

W:28/F:20/S:17

Evening Session - 3/23/2023

This afternoon La and Noe dropped me off at the beach so they could run errands.  I used the same setup as yesterday, but switched out the KD rear stabilizer for one of the thin ones I made.  This one was just under 15" (14.875") and it is one of the easier tails to flex.

The waves were cleaner, but a little smaller and less consistent than yesterday.

I was still able to grab a few handfuls of juicy waves - and ripped them apart with the Vyper 170.  I had an easier time despite the smaller conditions - and I attribute that to the swapped out rear stabilizer.  The flex really worked to bounce out of turns.

I'm beginning to wonder if I was able to move the mast forward, would I be able to pump easier... time to build another 4'8"/4'7" and get the track boxes further up.

I think the swell energy is going to start backing off - might be time to get the Eagle 1090 dialed in...

W:28/F:19/S:17

Evening Session - 3/22/2023

Yesterday the surf definitely came up - head high and walling up!!!  Marlon was under the weather so I went solo.

The tide was high and the wind was down - so I rigged up the 4'8" (for paddling power), the 68cm Cedrus mast, and the UniFoil Vyper 170/KD Maui 15" rear stabilizer.

Takeoffs were steep and so much fun!!!  The Vyper 170 came alive with all the energy available to tap from the swell.  The foil has super progressive lift and it turns as hard as you care to push it.

I caught multiple waves and had some really long rides.  I was able to pump back out, but it definitely didn't happen carefree - the Vyper obviously doesn't have the glide and carry of the higher aspect ratio front foils - but when there is energy in the waves, I'd rather have the maneuverability of a front foil like the Vyper and sacrifice the carry.

What an excellent day of foiling!!!

W:28/F:18/S:17

Evening Session - 3/21/2023

Marlon and I headed to the beach in the late afternoon.  He brought his longboard and I brought the ART 1099/460 hydrofoil (thinking it was going to be smaller than it was).  Today was windier than yesterday - bigger than yesterday - and there was a ton of turbulence in the water.  NOT good conditions for the 1099/460.

That's the only foil I brought with me so I use it.  I did catch several long rides with some double dips.  This was a fun session!!!

W:28/F:17/S:17

Skunked!!!!

The wind was blowing yesterday afternoon - that is until I got setup and paddled out.  Then it dropped off the map.

Oh well - you win some, you lose some.