Surf Check and Garage Works - 4/29/2024

I had the intentions to surf the Hammah Fish this afternoon, but when I got there the wind was howling onshore.  That was not forecasted and I figured it wouldn't be worth the paddle out.  Chris and Felipe had just paddled back in from being skunked for a while.  Felipe was swapping out wings and was going to go back out.

I left to pick Marlon up from the rail station and saw Roland headed down Ku'alaka'i

With Marlon on board, we headed back to the beach to see if anyone else was going to surf, wing or foil.

Felipe was out and ripping on the 5.0/Eagle 890.

Eli was on the beach contemplating going out - but didn't; you could feel the pressure subsiding.  And Felipe felt the same thing and headed in.

And Roland was waiting to get his hands on the F One Strike V4.  This one was a 5.0 - Roland was wanting to test a smaller wing.  It felt balanced and well powered in the light wind.

Glad to see no one had to paddle in.

We got home and in between cooking and clearing some other things, I shaved down the polyurethane top block and dialed in the shape of the rear part of the top deck.

I added a subtle concave to the rear of the top deck that goes 1/2 up.

I used sanding screen again and got it all faired in, including the slight side cuts for the where my legs would go when I'm sitting waiting for a gust.

I cleaned up the little bleed through of the gorilla glue that came through a slot where the mast track block had a void (bonus).

And I remarked the center line and made adjustments to the rear footstrap placement.

There is a bias to my strong side - but that's ok since that's where I'll be jumping (the only time I'll be in the rear strap - if I even jump at all). 

I'll cut the footstrap insert reinforcement block slots tomorrow and get those epoxied into place.

I also think that I won't be using a SUP handle on this one, as I can hold the board under my arm (it isn't too wide).

Once that work is done, I'll start laminating.  I think I'll have both the decks laminated by the end of this weekend (although there is some really strong wind coming our way starting Thursday... not too much work happens when the wind is nuking).

Dawn Patrol - 4/28/2024

I went to Hickam this morning for the dawn patrol.  Firsts was breaking nicely and there was almost zero wind.

I try to not make too many changes at once, so I can understand the nature of the change.  But for this morning I changed three things.

First I did not use the velcro straps - I used electrical tape to keep the motor cable in one place.  Electrical tape worked so much better - not once did I feel like I was stuck to the surface while trying to takeoff.

Second, I tried out the Skinny 365 rear stabilizer.  The stabilizer I normally use is the Progressive 375.  The Skinny is about 30 sqcm smaller than the 375P - but I did not feel like I was missing any lift (like I could push off of it or that it would just slip out).  I did feel like I was going a hair faster than I normally do on the Spitfire 960.

And third, I used the Project Cedrus Carbon 85cm mast instead of the 80cm aluminum one I normally use.  Here there were some multifaceted issues.  The extra length made it more difficult to pump (yet I did get three double dips), and the first few takeoffs were awkward.  But once I got used to it, the extra length did suppress breaching, it made carving hard and taking a steeper drop less worrisome (I could just focus on executing and not trying to make sure I wasn't going to breach).  I did not really notice any weight difference.

For as challenging as yesterday's session was, today's was simply perfect.

I really enjoy using the Foil Drive at the breaks I normally wing.  I already know the wave and I can anticipate the sections and setup for some awesome carving turns.  Firsts was firing for the first half of this session - shoulder to just overhead.  I would position myself to be able to pick up the wave well before it got critical.  And with the equipment, I could maneuver to stay in the powered section of the wave - even just right in front of where the wave was breaking (I normally try to steer clear of this section).  This is where I'm not sure of the effect of switching out the rear stabilizer - was I able to do this because of the faster tail, or was I doing it all this time but just didn't notice it?

This chart basically looks just like a winging session out here!

My count is 25 waves in 90 minutes.  Three of these were double dips.  

And I did not have to share this break with anyone!

Pretty darn fun this morning!!!

W:53/FD:28/F:4/S:9

Garage Works - 4/27/2024

After soaking the Foil Drive in its post session freshwater bath, I went ahead and set it up for tomorrow's session.  I am taping it up again (that was horrible this morning - 70% of my takeoffs had to be aborted because of the velcro drag), and I am switching to the carbon Project Cedrus mast.

And I got the mast track installed on No.36

Both bottom and top decks.

Maybe tonight (but most likely sometime tomorrow), I'll trim the excess off the top deck polyurethane block, dial in the top deck rear shape, and route out the slots for the foot strap reinforcement blocks.

I'm still debating if I want to put a carrying handle on the bottom deck...

Dawn Patrol - 4/27/2024

Rainy morning dawn patrol.

The surface had a lot of texture on it and the waves had some size.  Pretty much the opposite of the forecast.

And I brought the HPS980 thinking there wouldn't be a whole lot of energy in the waves... wrong!

And I'm not absolutely sure but as I was having a hard time getting the foil to lift the board clear of the water, I suspect the velcro straps were working to make the board "sticky".

Despite all that, I still had fun!  And if on my next session I can pop up and clear the board, I'll have learned something (fabric causes drag).  Which would be a darn shame because I'd rather not have to waste tape all the time. 

7 miles on the session - 2.5 hours out and came in with 25% battery.

Rides were kind of all over the place.  When I did clear the board, I did have some long rides.

I count 16 longer rides - which seems about right.  I did throttle up a lot more than that, but for the reasons listed above, I did not catch and ride those waves.

Definitely using the Spitfire and electrical tape tomorrow...

W:53/FD:27/F:4/S:9

Garage Works - 4/26/2024

And between borrowing an extension ladder and working on the gutters, and shampooing the carpet in the house - I did squeeze in some garage time.

I noticed a small difference in the top deck rails at the midpoint (one side had a side cut) - so I made a similar side cut on the other side.  And then I felt compelled to route out the slot for the mast track block.

I used the Hitachi router and got the bottom slot cut out.  Then I used the Japanese pull saw and opened up the top deck.

This will set in nicely!

I'll likely place the epoxy sometime tomorrow - if in the morning after the dawn patrol, then I'll also be able to glue in the top block (polyurethane foil block).

After those two pieces get installed, I'll shape the top deck where the block is (removing the excess and integrating it into the top deck shape).

Sunday will likely see the footstrap insert blocks going in place and possibly the carrying handle.

Another thing that got done was La was able to trim these velcro straps for me.  Hypothetically I should be able to stop using electrical tape to hold the motor cable steady.  We shall see - I'll test these tomorrow morning.  I've used narrower velcro straps in the past - but I didn't feel that they were really working.  These are 2" wide each - I'm pretty sure  these will fill the bill!!!

On It's Way -

I sold No.18 to Nick as part of the Foil Drive Assist Plus package.

Tricia was in town and she brought one of his travel board bags for me to pack the board in.

Here is No.18 all armored up.

And tucked into Nick's board bag.

The tail is nicely secured.

But the board is only 4'10" in a 6'1" board bag - so there is a gap in the nose.

I think Tricia will end up putting in a duffle bag to take up this space.

This board has pulled triple duty - it started life as a prone foil board, carrying me into some gnarly sized surf with the GoFoil GL140, and through COVID closed beaches.  Then it served as a high wind wing board - my first sinker attempts (looked what that lead to - now every board I wing with pretty much is a sinker).  And in it's last incarnation it was the board that opened up the possibilities of the Foil Drive to me.

I really don't like seeing boards leave the hangar - but if they go to good homes, that is a good thing.  And I beet it can pull triple duty for Nick!!!

And that makes room for more boards to be made and ridden!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 4/25/2024

I knew I had errands to run this afternoon - so I pulled a lunch session at Hickam.  In the distance you can see the Wet Hens were out also.  They actually had their main sails reefed.

The reports were promising so I brought some of the medium sized equipment.  I ended up setting up No.32 with the Eagle 890/DW190.

I wanted to keep the comparison going so I pumped up the North Mode Pro 4.8.  The more I use this wing, the more I really appreciate it.  This is a smoother wing than the Ezzy Flight (5.0).  It requires input from both hands where the Flight was more back handed.  The Flight luffs better but there is zero leech flutter on the Mode Pro.

And my arms don't feel sore either -

I think the Ezzy is faster and pulls a little higher into the wind.  But the Mode has a little more low end (and doesn't need a special technique to get going like an underpowered Flight does).

At this point, I'd call the Ezzy more dynamic, and the North more refined - but if I had both in the hangar, I'd have a hard time choosing which one to take out because they are both fun and high performance at the same time.

Actually it kinda is the same difference as the Axis Spitfires and the F One SK8s - the former being more visceral and the latter being super smooth and carvey.

As soon as I launched, I had to get a ways out to get into the wind line.  And the Wet Hens were all out - so once I got up I made a beeline for the outside.

And the waves were about chest high and coming in organized sets.  Really fun rides!  And with the winds more from the East, I was having an easier time nailing toe-side tacks.  In fact I think I can say that I had more tacks today than jibes!

I'm not sure if it was the conditions or the equipment - but whatever it was, it felt good to get so many tacks (heelside onto waves and toeside to recycle).

I'm starting to wonder what wind range I'm going to be using the 5.5 and 6.8 in...

Nice top end speed to cap a short lunchtime session!

The wind is supposed to start backing down - so this may be the last winging session for a few days (time to Foil Drive!!!)

W:53/FD:26/F:4/S:9

Wing Foiling Session - 4/23/2024

The wind/waves/tide were awesome today!!!

Koa, Kalani, Prayot, Roland and Duke (and one other who I didn't know) were all out.

I had to give the Ezzys back today - probably a good thing because using this wing back-to-back after the Ezzy 5.0 gave me a clear perspective on the differences between the two.  The North is quieter for sure - zero flutter.  And as far as I can tell, it pulls just as hard upwind.  I feel like the Ezzy is faster - but I had the SK8 950 out today and not the Eagle 890.  I feel like the North gets up faster (a little more low end).  Once up it has the same wide range as the Ezzy.

And tacking with this wing is about the same as the Ezzy - but the handles on the North are much nicer.

The surf was bigger today - and I caught several bombers!  This session was so good!!!

I forgot my watch today so I brought my phone out.

I got in a bunch of heelside tacks again - with the North it seemed a little slower - but that might have been the wind direction.  The wing actually felt like it wanted to be in my right hand while flagging - but there was a bit of north in the wind.

It seemed stronger than this (again this is Hickam's chart) - more along the lines of the gusts on a consistent basis.

I can't forget my watch again... the Strava charts are harder to derive the same information.

Awesome session today!

W:52/FD:26/F:4/S:9

Wing Foiling Session - 4/22/2024

I needed to redirect from winging Hickam to help with family requirements this afternoon - but I think it actually worked out for the best!

I setup everything the same as yesterday -

And it was EPIC!!!

The Ezzy Flight 5.0 is an incredibly versatile wing.  As long as there was a gust to get up, this wing would pull.

I nailed so many tacks (heelside) dropping straight onto waves... so perfect!!!  Hard to tell if it is the wing, the foil, me, or any combination of the above.

I'm going to have to pull the Norths into the rotation so I can see what they can do in comparison to these Ezzys.

Roland and Duke were also out enjoying the conditions.

I made fun spaghetti!

This chart was from Hickam - but the Kalaeloa meter showed similar.  

My speed looks like it was based more off the gusts.

I'm going to stop here as there are no real words that can capture how fun this session was.

W:51/FD:26/F:4/S:9