Foil Trade

I regularly ply the Craigslist waters to see trends, look for deals and to look at what the second hand market is moving.  This also includes Facebook Marketplace.  I saw two Armstrong CF800s hanging out - and they haven't moved in weeks.  In reading the description on one of them, the seller said his CF800 wasn't for him as he was still learning.  I sent a message and asked if would be willing to trade for a CF1600 - and he said yes.  As great a wing as the 1600 is, I won't be using it as I have moved on - that and the 1600 feels like a puffier version of the 1550 (it is slower, more stable, and has more lift than the 1550).  I'm barely using the stock 1550 as it is....

So it was a win-win.  I got a wing that I can look forward to using on nuking wind winging days (like this past Sunday - recall that I observed that using the HS1250 with the 4.5 wing felt really comfortable, with the other combinations firmly on the challenging side).  I can also try this out on a solid south swell - I'm thinking overhead+.  I wet sanded the one scratch this foil had with 1000 grit - pretty much just knocking down the high spots.

Such mesmerizing curves... 

This is a small wing - the Uni300 rear stabilizer is not too far off this.  Prior to this wing, the Go Foil GL140 and the CF1200 were the wings I'd bolt on for the bigger days.  I had not found the top end of those two foils yet - I thought the sky was the limit, but looking at this one opens up a lot of possibilities.  Looking forward to some epic condition days to give this a run!

Armstrong Front Foil Profiles

Since I posted the chop shop HS1550, I figured I would pull out the other wings and take a look at the thickness of each.  The first picture is centered on the HS1250

This next picture is centered on the HS1550 - a little thicker.

And this last one is of the CF1600 - super thick compared to the other two.

CF1600 - HS1550 - HS1250

I really enjoy using the HS1250.  It's been a while since I used the CF1600, but from the thickness profile, I'm thinking there will be a lot of excess lift (and more drag).  I think I need to retry the HS1550 again - seems to be a good balance between drag and lift - and looking at what Kalani was doing with the Chopped Up HS1550, I won't lie I've been thinking about chopping something else....

Evening Session - 7/22/2020

I pulled a solo evening session (Marlon and Noe were both at Marlon's internship program today) over at PTs.  Everything was worse today - the tide was higher (2.5'), the swell was less consistent and the wind was a bit onshore.  Regardless - I paddled out and caught 5.  I replaced the 232 with the Uni - I figured more lift would make the dismal conditions better (I was correct) - everything else was the same as the previous day.

It didn't rain on me like yesterday (I did like that - it doesn't happen often and it feels good) - but there was rain all around the area.  I wanted to bolt on the HS1850, but I needed to file off some rough edges (maybe tomorrow - it might be even worse than it was today...)

Evening Session - 7/21/2020

Marlon and I hit PTs again this afternoon.  The wind was supposed to be down and the swell was supposed to be holding.  The wind was down, but the tide was super high at +2.5' and that drowned out the swell.  Every 10 minutes or so a breaking set would pull through so I did get some rides.  I brought the wide 4'10" with the CF1600, but swapped out the Uni Tail for the 232.  Even though I've ridden this tail stabilizer before, it has been a while - like you would think it is faster than the Uni, and it turns easier.

The rear stabilizer change did make a difference and I had to find my footing again.  I actually caught several, but I think my left foot was too far forward (where it would normally go) and I would push the foil down.  With less surface area, the 232 shouldn't have the same lift as the Uni, so my front foot should be back a hair to compensate - easier said than done when you are dealing with muscle memory.

Marlon had more paddling power with the longboard, so he was catching more.  It did start to rain while I was out and it was coming down pretty hard at one point.  It took about 10 minutes for the rain clouds to pass and the setting sun did come out - and cast a complete rainbow - that made the paddle out totally worth it. The picture above has the rain still coming down on the left side.

It had been a while since I've been out in waves this small - I should have rigged up the 5'6" with the Maliko on the 29.5" mast!

I really like it that this is my home break!  Foiling has definitely opened up all the super mushy waves that no one wanted to surf before.  I'll take it!

Evening Session - 7/19/2020

Marlon, Noe and I headed over to PTs yesterday evening to catch some waves.  The wind was up, but it had a little more North to it so the trees were able to block some of it.  There was still some texture, but it wasn't blown out.  The swell had a little size to it - chest to shoulder on some of them, with the background mostly in the waist high range.  The tide was way up - +2.3' and it was over topping the sand berm.  Noe came to take pictures - when Marlon and I weren't moving, she likes to take pictures of the ghost crabs, waves, sailboats, planes and birds that pass by.

I brought out the same setup as Saturday - wide 4'10" and the Armstrong CF1600/Uni tail.  Marlon brought his longboard and was catching everything.

After a session, I got my footing back on this setup and catching waves was more automatic than Saturday.  I got some long ones, but there were more fishermen out (as there normally are on weekends), and they were kinda in the surf break (I'm not complaining for me - there were tons of kids out and they were in the zone more than I was).  Well - on one run I had to do the limbo to avoid getting caught up in a line.  Actually I think the fisherman was using a grappling rig because the line didn't give while I was riding through it.

Other than that, I had a bunch of fun rides and great takeoffs.

Another great day at PTs!

Afternoon Session - 7/18/2020

The kids and I hit PTs at the high tide - which was about 3pm - this was a lot earlier than Marlon and I normally surf.  The tide was high - around 2.2', the swell was stomach to chest high (on the sets), and the wind was not too bad. 

I had my new full coverage rash guard on - I didn't want to get fried going out this early.  I switched up the gear - wide 4'10" with the Armstrong CF1600 and UNI tail.  Super smooth, but it felt like I had to exert a lot of back foot pressure - not that I'm complaining about that, just makes me wonder if I've got the mast position optimized.  I had to get recalibrated - I have been getting more used to the skinny 4'10" positioning.

I got several long runs, and several wipes, but overall it was a good day (and I'm glad I went to PTs - crowd was not a factor). 

And you can't beat the parking!

Evening Session - 7/3/2020

Was going to Pine Trees this evening - but one of the regulars pulled up and said "there's something in the water... and it isn't traveling - just be careful".  Went over the dune to check it all out.  There was no one in the water - even though the waves looked really good.  While I was stretching I kept looking at the water beyond the break.  Sometimes I would see different colored water - so I opted out.  Being the only person out made for bad odds.  I packed up and headed over to White Plains.  As expected it was pretty crowded.  The surf was chest high and with the low wind, it looked pretty good.  The tide was high and everytime I checked the bottom, it was far below.

I brought the wide 4'10" and the Armstrong CF1600 again.  No changes - but I think I would have had an easier time with the HS1550 - I wiped on a few of the bigger ones.  While yesterday was more about lining up on the double faces, today was dropping in and turning hard.  Really good carves from the CF1600.  I like how this foil rides higher and instead of blowing up, there is a tell-tale gurgle and you can put more front pressure to prevent the blow up. 

This swell is supposed to stick around for a couple of days - next time I'll bring the other wings (HS1550 and the 232 rear).

Evening Session - 7/2/2020

Hit the beach after work - the wind was way down, the tide was dropping fast from a high of 2.0' (probably around 1.3' while I was out), and the surf was consistently around waist high if you stayed inside - but I stayed more outside to try and catch the chest high waves (which were more inconsistent).

I had the same setup as yesterday - wide 4'10", Armstrong CF1600 and UNI tail.  I caught a bunch but most were the second wave of a close double.  That made for fun rides in a very small pocket (trough between the two peaks).  Breaking singles were pretty hard to come by.  I got some good glides and carving turns - pulling G's going from low to high on a wave then top turning into a dropping face - lots of fun!

There was a C-17 doing touch 'n go's - looks like a big hydrofoil to me!

Evening Session - 7/1/2020

I got home at regular time today, and my hip felt better so I decided to go to the beach.  I brought the wide 4'10" and kept the Armstrong foil on it.  I changed the wing from the HS1550 to the CF1600.  I also moved the mast a notch back.

The tide was dropping from a high of 2.0'.  The winds were trades 10 to 20 (so it wasn't messing up the surface too much).  Lastly the swell was mostly waist high, but every 20 minutes or so a bigger set would show up - head high and stacked - probably 5 waves in the set.  Marlon got dropped off after his internship (thanks La!) and he was on every set.

I caught a bunch riding all the way from takeoff to the beach.  And actually on my last one, I kicked out and ended up hitting the bottom (landing on it).

Just scratches.  The rides were worth it. 

Evening Session - 6/26/2020

Another solo session at PTs - today the gate was open so I drove through and parked much closer to the break.  The wind had a little more North in it today so it was really nice.  The tide was high at 1.7' - and the swell was picking up.  I had the same setup as yesterday and kept the mast in the same position - after today, I'll mark this position as it is optimized with controllable lift, glide for days and really good carves.

I had a bunch of waves where I would glide on a wall, crank a 180 on a section and repeat going back the other way all the way to the beach.  With the Armstrong, I feel like I can more easily harness the wave's energy - using subtle flowing movements to carve and gain speed - but I don't feel like I am going as fast as I do on the Go Foil GL wings with the P18W tail.  That said, and I've said this before - the Armstrong is just so smooth - and more often than not, I feel like I have the foil riding really close to the surface and I don't feel like I have to manage the ride to avoid breaching - I just go (which is not the same with the Go Foil).

I did try taking off on several bigger ones where the white water dumped on me - wiped on these.  With the swell filling in this weekend, I'll swap over to the wide 4'10" and the GL140.  The wide 4'10" is definitely a more stable platform and I seem to be more sure footed on it, but I'm getting used to the skinny 4'10".  Another great day foiling at PTs!!!

Evening Session - 6/25/2020

I pulled a solo run this evening.  Earlier I adjusted the mast back in the tracks by a quarter inch - yesterday I felt like there was too much autopilot - I figured taking it back a notch would give me back more control.  I hit PTs - and as I was walking to the break, a girl with a longboard came up to me and said "there was a tiger out there".  I asked how big and she said "It was big - but that was about an hour ago so maybe its moved on."  I kept going and when I got to the berm, I looked and there was only one other person out - it was the SUP foiler that uses the orange Kalama Performance SUP.  I looked and didn't see any dark shapes so I paddled out.

Wind was down, tide was high at 1.8' and the swell was small - maybe waist high.  I had a couple of calibration waves and then it all clicked.  I was catching and riding bumps all the way in to shore.  Using the CF1600 again after riding the Go Foil GL wings for so long felt like learning to foil all over again.  The CF1600 has a ton of lift and on almost every wave I was riding with the majority of the mast up and out of the water.  It is not nearly as fast as the GL wings, but it is way smoother.  After about 7 waves or so, I did not see the SUP foiler - he had gone in.  I can live with 50-50 odds but being the only splashing entity out there, I figured I was better off going in.  The mast adjustment was spot on - a fraction less lift and the board needed just a hint of back foot popping to get it rise up - just the way I like it.

So pretty much the same conditions as yesterday, but none of the crowd.  I'm spoiled by this place - even if I get run out every now and then by the landlord. 

Evening Session - 6/24/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB in the late afternoon - was kinda hoping for a repeat of Tuesday evening - but alas, everyday is different.  The tide was high at 2.0', the wind was light, but the swell had started to decline - waist high was the norm and that was infrequent.

Marlon headed over to the Fenceline side - and he was catching a bunch.  I didn't see him much because I was way over on the right side in front of the cabins.  Even over there the crowd was thick.  But I did manage to get a couple of handful of waves.  After a calibration period (I botched the first three waves - the skinny 4'10" has a ton of buoyancy on its own - with the Armstrong foil bolted on it basically wants to fly away on its own so it is rather twitchy in the water).  I rode most of the rest all the way to the beach and got a few pumps back out.  Not a bad day out - even though the crowd was a bit stiffling.

Evening Session - 6/23/2020

Changed it up today - 72cm Armstrong Mast, CF1600 front wing, UNI tail with the 60cm fuselage - mounted on the skinny 4'10".

The tide was really high - 2.2'.  The wind was up from the E - 15+ kts - enough to chop up the surface.  It was so choppy at the onset that Marlon actually sat out the session.  The waves were waist high and fairly consistent.

The conditions made it challenging to get up on the board.  This setup has a tremendous amount of volume - left to it own, the board and foil would pop up out of the water.  It made for easier paddling, but it took me a few tries to get the balance points down.

This setup is super lightweight and once up on foil, it was pretty nimble.  I initially had the mast set just forward of where the Go Foil mast was (I had marked it with a pencil).  I came in after two waves and pulled it forward almost 3/4 of an inch - Transformed a bouncy ride with lift I had to work for into a smooth high riding easy glide festival.

If I go out tomorrow, I may hit WPB as Marlon had a good session there (next post).