Garage Works - 11/29/2023

It was raining all day.  Not a day to do epoxy work.

I did do the prep work for laminating the bottom deck (I decided to go all carbon and no rail tape on this one - so glassing will be more conventional).

This one will have a carbon spine basically extending from front foot to back foot, then a full deck sheet.  This is the 5.7 ounce carbon from Fiberglass Hawaii. 

I did place some fill (1.4 ounces of epoxy and 2 teaspoons of aerosil) around the polyurethane foam block to fill the remaining voids.  It didn't take much, so I spread the remainder as a seal coat on the area where I folded back the carbon.

If the weather is drier tomorrow, I'll get this laminated.

Garage Works - 11/28/2023

Spent the afternoon running errands and getting the truck maintained.  When I got back home, I pulled the old GoFoils off the wall to get them cleaned up.  I might have a buyer that could use these (totally brand new to foiling).

The big Maliko 200.

The 32.5" mast I used for windsurf foiling and wing foiling.  The flat tail adapter came off this one without too much grief.

The Iwa 170 on the 27.5" mast.  The flat tail adapter had to be cut apart to get off the rear fuselage.

Still in great shape!

This is the stuff I'm going to probably sell.  It wasn't too long ago that this stuff was coveted.  Now most people have it stuffed in their garages collecting dust.  I actually learned a lot using these two foils.  If I do sell them, it will be a little sad seeing them go - but I'd rather they go to someone who will use them, instead of seeing them sit in my garage gathering dust.

After that exercise, I went ahead and got the boxes epoxied into place on No.33

With the milder temperatures, the slow took a while to harden this evening.  I am definitely behind on the production of this board...

I may grab some fast hardener and resin tomorrow, and try to get the bottom laminated (and also the carbon patch over the new boxes on No.30)

Garage Works - 11/27/2023

A head cold manifested itself in my sinuses today - I really didn't feel like hitting the beach.  I mainly rested and helped La choose some stuff for the house.  But after that, I felt compelled to get this project done - switching the Foil Drive Assist Plus latch side guards out for the locking set of side guards.

This step was the hardest - taking off the old side guards.  Razor blade, needle nose and regular pliers, and some sand paper were what was needed to remove the old side guards.

The new ones fit nicely.  I used some gel Gorilla Glue super glue and got them stuck on.

Now I won't be checking the latches after I reset after a wave.  With the screws in place, the box can't be opened (from the front).

Wing Foiling Session - 11/26/2023

The plan for this morning based on the forecast yesterday was to wing at WPB around 9am.  I woke up early (like normal) and checked the forecast - it had fallen apart and the wind was forecasted to stay at marginal levels - except at Kailua.  The forecast called for wingable winds for the early morning - I packed up and headed over.

I used the SW2 5.2, No.25 and the F One Eagle 1090/DW210.

The wind was marginal - and I actually had to reset (small walk of shame back to the launch) before I got up on foil.  Once up, I was able to stay up for quite some time.

Not a bad run considering the cloudy conditions and light winds. 

ENE direction - it actually felt onshore when launching - but on foil the wind seemed to bend to its normal direction.  The waves were small - and you had to be at the right place at the right time to get a section.  I got to whack a peak on almost every run so I'd say it was a good session...

Then came the knock down - I tripped a jibe and it took a while to get back up.  By this time the wind had gotten lighter and I figured it was time to cut my losses.

There were several guys out on F One Strike CWC 7s and 8s.  I think if I had the North Mode Pro I could have stayed out longer.  

W:116/F:103/S:56

Garage Works - 11/25/2023

La was working on stuff so I had an opportunity to work on No.33

I cut the slot for the SUP handle - I am putting this on the top deck because carrying the board with a foil and the Foil Drive attached will be easier holding the handle and the mast (vice holding the handle and leaning the board on my hip like a wingboard).

I glued the handle in with Gorilla Glue.

Some of the tools I used today.

And I even had enough time to measure and cut out the slots for the mast track.

These are in perfect position!  Measuring multiple times and cutting once - 

I'll try and get these epoxied into place tomorrow morning.  The wind is coming in stronger tomorrow - I'm going to skip the dawn patrol and wing mid-morning.  That'll give me enough time to get the boxes set.

Next up after that - laminating.  I'm actually still debating what the laminate will be... all carbon, carbon bottom and fiberglass top, innegra somewhere... decisions, decisions, decisions.

Dawn Patrol - 11/25/2023

Dawn patrolled this morning.

Light trades starting to fill back in - but not too strong.  Lowish High tide dropping.  Waves in the waist range, with chest high sets.

I used the HPS980 setup since the waves were on the smaller side.  The paddle out was uneventful, and with the Foil Drive I was able to get out with 98% battery left.

Even with the HPS980, I was able to crank some pretty hard turns.  I got just over 2 hours out of the battery.  This foil set really allows me to get off the throttle faster when trying to catch waves - that goes a long way towards extending the session duration.

Lots of other foilers out - Dean, Andrew, Rick, Scott, Justin, Charles and Kamaka.  I tried to go the other direction when I was closer to them - so they could have a chance at riding also.  I did get several double dips in.

Looks like I got 32 waves in 2 hours - that's ridiculous (and only on the FD Assist+ - I can't imagine what the wave count will be with the FD Max).

I was using the 1.5mm long sleeve top - it's pretty chilly first thing in the morning now.

Another fun session!

W:115/F:103/S:56

Dawn Patrol - 11/23/2023

Marlon asked to foil today on the dawn patrol.  The waves were on the smaller side, but nice clean conditions.

I set Marlon up with the Iwa today.  He said the Kai wasn't giving him enough lift.

He paddled out to Coves (I thought he was going to join me and the regular crew over at Cabins).  He said he wasn't getting up on foil initially so he moved the mast forward (he's pretty much got it at this point if he can to that conclusion on his own).

I took out what I probably used the last time I went prone foiling (without the Foil Drive).  I know I usually suck after switching back and forth from one discipline to another (in this case shortboarding to prone foiling) - but I sucked today.  The crew (Dean, Andrew, Rick and Matt) were asking about why I wasn't on the Foil Drive - I said because Marlon was foiling and I thought I'd be closer to him if I stayed regular prone.  Well - this session was definitely a reinforcement of if you want to be good at something you need to practice it.

I ended up catching three good ones, so at least I know it was the adjustment back. 

Matt was out - he was on the ART Pro 1201 (and gliding around like it was nothing).

I won't be able to go tomorrow morning because I have to work.  We'll see what the conditions are like (as I may want to just get No.33 laminated).

W:115/F:102/S:56

Garage Works - 11/22/2023

I had a long day at work and did not want to contend with less than perfect conditions at WPB.  Instead I opted to work on No.33 - specifically I sanded the board top and bottom.

This is the top deck

Top deck again -

And here is the bottom deck of the board

And almost a profile shot of the bottom deck.

This board is a slightly longer, slightly narrower version of No.18 - the design goal of this one is to go faster onto plane.  The faster you can get a board going, the faster you can get up on foil, the faster you can get off the throttle (and the longer your battery will last you, and lastly the more waves you can ride).  The wide tail will really help get the board moving faster.

This is basically my standard wing foiling board shape made narrower and thinner.  I'm guessing this will end up around 50 liters in volume.

Next step is to rout in the slot for the SUP carrying handle and the track boxes.  I'll get those glued/epoxied in, then start the carbon lamination.  I had considered placing footstrap inserts on, just like No.32, but have since changed my mind as I'm pretty sure I won't be using this as a wing board (why would I - wrestling a low volume board is futile and with all the sharks swimming around lately, its even dangerous).

I'll have the boxes in place tomorrow.  I'll have the bottom deck on either tomorrow or Friday.  Top deck will get laminated on Saturday.  At least that's the goal...

Evening Session - 11/21/2023

Got in an evening session after work - the tide was low, the wind was light and the waves - even though a little lully - were really fun!

Marlon also came to the beach - he was a little upset at first because he brought the Seaside... I don't know if he stayed frustrated or not (I was actually quite happy with the conditions and choice of equipment).

I brought the J.Splee Boogiefish.  I wanted to test out the fins I had heard were recommended by the builder - Futures K2 Keels.

These were really fun!

It had less drive than the other sets I've used in this board - but the sliding added a lot of dimension to riding this board!

I had plenty of waves by sitting inside of everybody and picking off the waves that got through.

Roland was out also - but he was complaining about his lower tricep (like a pulled muscle).  We looked at the weather - and it looks like the next few days will have small surf and light winds...  might be time to try surfing MCBH, or breaking out the kites for some kitefoiling practice.  That's let the adhesive on the Great White Twin deck pad cure nicely (more on this in the next post...)

For such a short board - this thing always puts a smile on my face!

W:115/F:101/S:56

Evening Session - 11/19/2023

Marlon and I were burning some time yesterday afternoon and I ended up with the chance to demo this board - the Firewire Great White Twin.  This one is a 5'11" at 34 liters.

After taking a nap to recover from this morning's session I placed the Endorfins Twins in and headed to WPB to check the evening surf and demo the board.  The surf had cleaned up significantly and the waves were chest to head high on the sets - perfect for the demo!

This board is sick!!!  It turns so good, and even these fins turned out to be perfect (I hated them on the Sweet Potato and the Cymatic).  Drives when you need and doesn't stick when you want to do a top turn.

I'm going to get the 6'0" 36 liter version so I can paddle in with more consistency (I missed a few that had my name on them).  I don't think the extra area will cork out the board for me.

I really don't need another board, but life is short and twin fins are so good - this is a niche I actually do need to fill (twin fin board that can handle bigger surf).

W:115/F:101/S:55

Wing Foiling Session - 11/19/2023

The wind was blowing pretty hard at my housing this morning.  I skipped the dawn patrol surf session and opted to wing.  With the high tide and current swell, the conditions were pretty good when I drove up.

I setup my current light wind lineup (because I didn't trust to wind to stay up).

And as soon as I paddled out, the wind shifted towards the SSW - so pretty much directly onshore.  And that began the odyssey.  I actually reset the watch 4x because I was getting blown downwind (without being able to get up on foil).

Because of the wind direction (had shifted to onshore), the sun starts to play games with your mind - you think there is wind, but there isn't.  But I knew in order to get enough pressure built up in the wing I would need to head back towards shore - and if that took too long, then I'd end up in the impact zone.

After what seemed an eternity, I did get up and stayed up (I had gotten up twice prior, but the wind dwindled below wingable strength).  I got in about 25 minutes of foiling and figured I should quit while I was ahead.

Even with the Eagle 1090/No.25/SW2 5.2 - this was one of the harder sessions I've had in recent months.

There is a 19.7 mph buried in this data set somewhere.  The early spike was likely getting caught in the impact zone and pushed around.

Eddy was wise and didn't bother going out.  Koa was SUP foiling.  Prayot tried and said enough is enough.  Derek went out and made it look easy.

Some days you win - some days you lose - some days you don't know what happened....

W:115/F:101/S:54

Dawn Patrol - 11/18/2023

Dawn patrol this morning was a Foil Drive prone session at Firsts.

There were sets coming through Firsts, so I set up the Spitfire 960 combo.

Jesse and Harris were using the tow boogies that Jesse built.  The new one has a crap ton of power and Jesse used it to give me a tow out to the start of the channel.  Nearly yanked my arm off and it was towing both of us out.

The swell was really good when the sets were pushing through - well overhead!  My first wave, as I was standing up the bottom dropped out!

It's pretty cool to see the set waves all focusing on one takeoff point.

I called it a session when I got ambushed by about 25 OC-1 paddlers

Today was the second day I felt the Foil Drive Assist Plus was actually underpowered.  Jesse was killing it with the whip ins and low speed.  And in between waves, getting back out to the line up was slow (in order to preserve voltage).  I think I should be surfing more to avoid looking at the Gen 2 Max...

W:114/F:101/S:54

Wing Foiling Session - 11/17/2023

After work session today - wingable tradewinds!!!

But super low tide - the armored pipe was totally exposed.

With clear skies, we got lucky with the thermals kicking in.

I am still a little spooked by "Tony's" presence last Tuesday - I figured I'd take the lack of wind factor out of the equation.  No.25 has plenty of float and makes for easier starts.

With the Eagle 1090 and the Reedin SW2 5.2, getting up was super easy.

Pretty good stats this session -

It seemed like the same amount of North that there was on Tuesday - but the wind was a bit more consistent.  The waves were small - but every now and then a chest high set would break at the right place/right time.

I never felt overpowered today with the 5.2

Also got a decent top speed.  Fun session with Roland today!!!

W:114/F:100/S:54