Evening Session - 8/20/2021

The big south swell that hit this week has all but moved on.  Waist high on the sets, full tide and winds on the lighter side of not winging made for a fun prone session today.  I figured I'd break out the small wave foil today - the PNL185.

It took a few waves to get used to the big push this foil gives.  What I should have done was break out one of the 4'10" boards which would have matched the foil with a board that can paddle faster into the wave.  The 4'6" is great for waves with more power - but groveling is best left to the bigger foil boards.

I caught a bunch of fun ones - but taking off was an exercise.

Evening Session - 8/19/2021

There was some wind today - but I decided to go prone foil instead.  First since I didn't want to drive back to Hickam (with the bigger surf, WPB would be harder to launch from), and second I was waking up from a long nap and I know the wind tends to die back later in the day.  I did want to mix it up a bit again - the surf did lower a notch, and I switched out the HS1050 to the CF1200.

I caught my first wave today and did a nose dive.  I set the mast more forward and that corrected the issue for the rest of the session.  I caught several more larger waves, but I also wiped out a bunch more than normal.  The waves were close together and taking off on a narrower board means landing on a much smaller sweet spot.  And getting my footing while trying to get in front of a shifting foam ball while just off the sweet spot leads straight to a wipe.  Still fun out there, but not the smoothest session.  On my third wave, I pumped back out (again with the CF1200).  When riding a standing wave that has an open end (todays were mostly open to the left), this foil is so awesome - carves top to bottom and going super fast - pure bliss!!!

The balance point was pretty much where the HS1050 was (the HS1050 is just forward of my mark, and the CF1200 is just behind it).  When you line up these two foils, they have a similar outline - the real differences are the thickness and the tips.  I think I actually like surfing with the CF1200 a lot more than the HS1050.  I'll still use both - but I think I'll try the HS1050 while winging in strong winds next.  There are too many front foils in this chest + high surf group (HS1250, HS1050, CF1200, GL140, NL160 - with the GL140 being my favorite closely followed by the CF1200).

Afternoon Session - 8/18/2021

I had a work dinner tonight - so I only had a short window to get some rides in.  The surf was still pumping - but there was a seabreeze blowing  - straight on shore.  I didn't let that deter me.  Had the same setup as Monday - didn't move a thing.

I caught three good sized waves and got decent rides.  Stats below are pretty close to what I thought was going on.  The swell was not as smooth as some of the swells from earlier this year - had to maneuver around sections to get length, but as always it was still super fun.

I did bring the CF1200, but I didn't have a short screw for the front hole on the front foil.  I'm glad I used the HS1050 today.

Great session even though it was short.

Evening Sessions - 8/15 and 8/16

Another late post.  I went foiling on a rising swell on Sunday (Marlon was out at an orientation so I went solo).  I brought out the NL160 to get it dialed in.  I had it up a bit from the PNL185 setting.  Surf was chest high and rising.  I would catch a wave, and make an adjustment, then repeat.  Despite the tide being on the higher side, I hit bottom twice - the second of which was pretty good.  This wing is definitely faster than the PNL185, and swoopier in the turns - but the PNL185 is way easier to pump.

This is where I ended the session - almost right on top of the PNL185 setting (they are very close in surface area...).  I'll need to test this one some more before I mark the board.

And this is from today - I wet sanded the two spots that had reef rash (on the leading edge of both sides), taped the spots I didn't want filled, then sprayed filler/primer.  I'll let this dry overnight then sand it back to a pre-rash state.  Then I'll re-tape the wing and get a coat of blue paint on the front - then sand, the clear coat, then wax.  I hate hitting bottom.

Yesterday's surf was even bigger than Sunday (solid overhead).  I bolted on the HS1050 and pushed it all the way forward.  Marlon was out and he brought his Firewire.

I caught one, felt the board was riding nose down, then spent a bit of time just paddling for position - there was a really strong current that was dragging everyone towards Fenceline.  I eventually caught another wave and was able to get over towards the two cabins on a single wave.  After that I picked up another several waves and it was more like the usual big wave foiling - waves with more slope and less pitch.  This is a great foil, but I was wondering what the difference would be compared to the CF1200 (I'll try that next).

I skipped today to get the track block epoxied in, La and Noe trained on towing the laser, and getting the NL160 sanded.  Tomorrow night I have a social to attend (so I might punch early to get a session in while the tide is high). 

Evening Session - 8/14/2021

Small waves and light winds for this evening's session.  Tide was medium high - fun conditions for the PNL185!  I brought the 4'6" again - want to get this board dialed in.  After three waves and three adjustments, I got the sweet spot identified.  From that point on I was easily nailing double dips.

I think this is hands down the most fun front foil for 1-2' conditions.  Any bigger and I should switch to the NL160 - then if the waves are overhead, it'll be time to use the GL140.

Evening Session - 8/11/2021

Marlon dawn patrolled and said he had an awesome session.  I figured it would be a good time to dial in the HS1050.  I also went ahead and decided to begin the journey with the 4'6" prone foil board - I have hel doff to this point because I thought a board this small was going to hurt my wave count - but with my boards getting smaller and smaller, I think I'm ready for this.  

The swell was a short lived one - it was barely cracking chest high by the time I made it out.  The board is a sinker under my weight.  4'6"x18.75"x 3.75"" - I'm guessing 30 to 35 liters or so (so less than half my displacement).

When up and riding, the HS1050 is incredibly maneuverable - goes wherever you want it to.  Bounced off several sections and picked lines to stay on the power curve.  It'll drop off foil instantly if you slow down (no surprise).  I started the mast in the middle of the tracks, but was able to move the foil as each wave revealed more info.  By the 4th adjustment, I had the mast all the way forward.  This front foil is going to rip when the waves are bigger.  I was able to takeoff on the decent sized waves I caught and I never felt like I was going to lose it.  The area is similar to the Go Foil GL140 (and I've praised the heck out of that front foil).

I think I would have had equal amounts of fun if had bolted on the HS1420CS - but I did get the foil position set for the HS1050 - what more can you ask for???!!!!!

Cleaning Things Up

These Marine Grip Strips are a one and done application - get it right the first time or you'll have to replace them when the corners start peeling up.

Use a masking tape line to get your alignment.

All better!

Hiatus - Dawn Patrol 11 January

I have been fighting the flu for the past two weeks and today was the first day I was able to get some surf.  It didn't help that I've had to stay late at work trying to get some initiatives moving - but truth be known the conditions have not been all that great - strong trades, heavy rain and a mix of swell.

I took the new 4'6" out for a second time (first being New Years so this is actually the only board I've surfed all year).  I bolted on the Go Foil Iwa on the 29.5" mast (with the 3" extension) as the tide was a dropping high (2.2' when I went out).

I got two fun rides off the bat - and with the tall mast, being up off the water that high was a blast.  But then I ran into a spell of weird conditions where I couldn't catch a wave and ride.  I'd get thrown (pretty hard on a few) and actually no one was catching - the wind was howling by this time so I decided to catch one more good one in.  Three mediocre waves later I caught the good one but still had to paddle in.  Here is where I had the foil set.  I think I can drop it a notch further back in the tracks.

So after a couple of sessions on the 4'6", I'd say it is demanding of what wave it'll takeoff with, it is demanding on takeoff - timing is critical to go or no go, and it is lower in literage.  I'll keep using it, but it may be a board I can use to kite foil.  If I go tomorrow I'll ride the 4'10" and the Armstrong - might work better in these sloppy conditions.

Annoiting of the 4'6" Prone Foil Board - 1 January

Happy New Year!!!  Our family hit the beach to catch the first sunrise of the year and the decade.  It did not disappoint!

And since we were at the beach already, it seemed appropriate to annoit the 4'6".  I didn't know what the surf was going to be like, so I brought out the Maliko 200 (preparing for the worst).  That turned out to be a wrong call.  There was some swell, no wind and a deep tide - should have brought the Iwa on the 29.5" mast.

This board was hard to get up on - primarily because it was designed to take a steeper wave - but with the Maliko bolted on, I would breach (and quickly - see image above).

I finally got on a few waves on the inside and the glide of the Maliko was perfect.  The narrow board made it easier to control the foil (once I had caught a wave).  The volume is considerably less than what I have been using - this is 19" compared to 22" on the 4'10" - so that might have also been a factor today.  Next time there is enough energy in the water to use this board, I think I'll bolt on the Armstrong CF1200 to see if that helps.

I don't want to paint the picture that this board didn't work - quite the contrary - but having the right conditions and the right foil would help (and the board would help in turn).  

So welcome to 2020!  May we all have the hindsight to look forward and do what is right for ourselves and humanity (and may the next decade be filled with awesome stoke)!!!  Big MAHALO to La for taking the pictures!

4'6" Foil Board All Finished

Here is the end product.  I'll get it in the water tomorrow and work to figure out placement for the foil - I'm going to start with the Go Foil Iwa on the 29.5" Mast (which is +3" with the mast track adaptor).

I put the leash plug in the back of the tail (like everyone else is doing).  

The bottom rail is chamfered - just enough to release, but not so much as to drop volume.

I have high hopes for this board, but really the last two days were probably better for this board (more energy in the waves - supposed to drop off a notch as the new decade starts up).

Stormy Christmas Sanding

Christmas Day here was really wet and windy.  So much so that I didn't even think of paddling out.  Instead, between cooking, eating and hanging out, I got the 4'6" sanded down with 40 grit.

After the sanding, I used the hole saw and cut out the hole for the deep leash cup and got that epoxied in place.  And I even squeezed filling in the remaining voids.

There are points where "good enough" should suffice - unfortunately my OCD won't let me get off the train at that stop.

Squeezing it in - Fill Coats

I had to work today, but before I left I got the laps on the bottom ground down and the fill coat brushed on.  Here is the board before I ground the laps down.

So nice - it really reminds me of the interstellar object 'Oumuamua that flew through the solar system a couple of years ago -

And here is the board with the laps across the bottom deck all ground down.

The fill coat got to harden while I was at work.

And I got home, ate dinner, then applied the fill coat to the bottom deck.  It was mostly dark so we didn't take pictures, but I'll take a few pictures of the board tomorrow before I start to sand down the fill coat.

Laminated the 4'6"

Got both the top and bottom done today.  Marlon as usual was a great help keeping the epoxy resin flowing.  Getting a nice lamination is all in the preparation.

And for some reason, I do a lot better using rollers.  I've nearly eliminated drips on to the floor and minimized waste (since we mix the epoxy in small batches as needed).

Bottom laminated on first.  4.7oz carbon underneath 6.0oz fiberglass (E).  Bottom lam also takes longer because of the fin boxes.  Ran some errands and went to work for a bit - and came home to the bottom lam all set up.  You can afford to be a little sloppy with the bottom lam since you can cover it with the top lam.  I went ahead and grinded down the laps, and got the top lamination ready to go.

And here is the top lam almost all wetted out and in place.  DAMN THIS LOOKS NICE!!!

It doesn't hurt that this board is super short also.  I'll grind down the laps tomorrow and get the fill coat on.  At this rate, I might be able to get the board wet by Christmas Day.

Track Slots Cut

I cut the slots for the Futures 10.75" boxes today.

Perfect alignment!  Measure three times, cut once.  If I start tomorrow afternoon, I should have the bottom and top laminated and the fill coat on by the end of the weekend.

Last Steps Before Glassing

I worked on the 4'6" yesterday and today.  Yesterday I faired in the slots for the track mount reinforcement blocks, cut out the carbon patches for the bottom of the slots, and dropped them in with epoxy (4.4 oz per box - probably only 3.0 oz stayed in place after squeeze out).

Today I sanded down the excess reinforcement block and sloppy epoxy work.  Then I measured out the track alignment and re-sanded the board at 180 and 400.  I also ran the block plane over the stringer one last time.  Tomorrow I'll route out the track slots and start glassing.  I'm still debating about what the glass schedule will be -

1.  Carbon patch at the tracks, then carbon strips up the stringers.
2.  Carbon everywhere top and bottom (just like the 4'10")
3.  Partial carbon along the back half of the board top and bottom (not forward of where my front foot would rest - not needed there).

If I go with 1 or 3, I can use printed labels.  Hmmmm - decisions, decisions, decisions.

Cutting and Routing

Got home in the late afternoon yesterday and jumped on moving the 4'6" forward.  First off I measured the reinforcement block and cut it in half (longitudinally).

Next I transferred the outline to the board, and proceeded to cut out the opening for the blocks.

When I get a chance in the next couple of days, I'll enlarge the openings to let the blocks drop in comfortably when paired with a sheet of fiberglass.  I'll vacuum bag the blocks in.  I'll also just use carbon on the back half of the board (too much weight to go full in a situation where I'm not sure of the payback in stiffness/weight - or maybe I'll go full carbon and vac bag it so I can see the difference in weight driven by the process).  Maybe another two weeks before this hits the water.