Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Repair Day

We did not surf/foil today.  Marlon did some homework and played games with Noe.  I decided I'd use today to repair stuff and do some comparisons.

I'll post pictures of this later, but I repaired the Go Foil pedestal tail, the GL210, the wing foiling board, several of the G10 tail wings, and the HS1550 that Kalani asked me to cut down.

Among all that, I pumped up the Duotone Echo 6.0 and the Ensis 5.2 to compare sizes.  I also compared the Echo 5.0 that I'm borrowing.  There doesn't seem to be too much difference between the Echo 6.0 and the Ensis 5.2 - check out these pictures -

Comparing the 5.2 I rode on Wednesday to my Echo 6.0, it had similar pull.  I felt the Echo was easier to adjust angle-wise because you can twist the boom - can't do that with handles.  The Echo also tacked easier - the dihedral helps on this I think.  One measurement you can't seem to find on any wing is the boom/strut length.  Here are a couple of pictures of the Ensis 5.2 and the Echo 6.0 

The Ensis did get up on foil faster than the bigger Echo when I got hit with a puff - which was puzzling to me.  Perhaps the gusset helps "cup" the wind better.  If I could get that kind of power out of the 5.2, a 6.0 Ensis should have more power than the Echo.  

I also went ahead and placed the Echo 6.0 and 5.0 together for comparison.

There seems to be a more noticeable difference in size here.  I've had the 6.0 out in gusts past 25 (but not much), and I've had the 5.0 out in gusts past 35 (maybe 40) and I could still foil by holding the wing in the 12 o'clock neutral position.

So I really like the Echo with the boom, but until I can get it to flag while I'm on a wave (which it really doesn't want to do while I'm single handing it), I think I'll be adding the Ensis 5.2 and 6.0 to the quiver.

Wingfoiling Session - 11/24/2020

Went wingfoiling with an old friend today (and his 14 year old son).  Wind was up 18 to 25 with gusts up to 30.  It was pretty cloudy and there was a downpour coming in from downtown.  We got an hour or so in before the rain dumped down.

.  

I worked exclusively on turns today - and I got my first jibe (without switching) today - from outbound back to inbound (my strong side - regular stance).  It was surprisingly easy - although I couldn't replicate it.  I did try tacking inbound - I was able to get around and even switch feet a couple of times, but I could connect the dots.  Try - try - try then do - do - do.  Fun session!

Winging Session - 11/21/2020

Went for a midday wing foiling session.  The reports had the wind blowing steady from the NE around 20 mph.  I decided to rig Gary's Echo 5.0 (I'm borrowing it), and boy was I glad I did.  There were three lulls in the 2 hours I was out - but on the other end of that spectrum, there were several gusts that were well above 30mph (approaching 40).  This wing handled the gusts like a champ - confidence builder knowing I got through today with this size wing.  The only quirk I noticed was back pressure on the luff during the gusts.

I stayed on the bunny slopes - again to work specifically on my transitions.  I was nailing the outbound tacks - even get a few flying on the foil.  I got a total of 12.3 nm, with my peak speed at 14.2 mph.

I did manage to get the feel of my inbound tacks.  I also got in a dry inbound jibe.  There was a booby bird and several plovers flying around the inside area.  What an awesome session!

Wingfoiling Session - 11/20/2020

The wind was a little lighter today and there were some long lulls.  I opted to stay on the inside so I wouldn't get stuck down wind of the launch.  I also wanted to work on my jibe.

I was nailing tacks and even stayed up on a couple.  Today was more practice on light wind winging and not giving up gained ground.  The wind was supposed to be way up - Marlon went surfing at WPB and he said it was blowing strong over there and Eli was ripping.  I think tomorrow I'll try winging at PTs.

Wingfoiling Session - 11/19/2020

The wind filled back in yesterday - I hit the beach in the late afternoon while Noe was sailing.  I made a beeline for the outside break and got a lot of mileage in.  I am getting better at pumping in light winds to get up on foil.  I still need to work on my transitions.

I was able to catch a wave and flag the wing (although it still wanted to wander - might be time to sell the Echo and get an Ensis...).  I finally pulled off a couple of jibes - so Thursday was a good winging day!

After Work Wing Foiling Session - 11/13/2020

Hit Hickam again after work today.  The wind had lightened up a bit by the time I got there (4pm) so I pumped up the 6.0 - the board and foil were the same as the previous days.  You can see in the picture the wind was fairly light on the inside - but if you squint, you can see Harris riding on the outside and he is lit on his 4.4.  I got lit too once I made it out there -

Even though it looked light, I was able to milk enough juice to get up on foil quickly.  I was pulling upwind easily so I decided to fall off a bunch to get to the channel and I rode out to the end of the runway where Harris was.  I was able to get lined up, and got on a couple, but it wasn't like prone foiling.  I also couldn't flag the wing (never had to before) and that made me outrun the waves.  The wind started to get light so I started back.  Then it pretty much died for about 20 minutes.  In these lulls I practiced pumping the wing and the foil to get up sooner than just waiting for the wind to blow harder.  I also got more practice on the tacks and even got a couple of jibes in (because I had to way out there).

I took this picture just because - need some gas?

Wing Foiling in Nuking Conditions - 11/11/2020

 The winds were super strong today - 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.  I was using a borrowed 5.0 Duotone Unit - with the exception of one run, this wing was perfect for today.  I had it rigged up on the tight setting and never really felt overpowered.  When the really stiff gusts hit, I just put the wing in neutral and reduced the backhand pressure.

I got 7.13 nm in and my fastest run was 13.1 mph - I could have gone faster but I didn't want to crash hard in these gusty conditions.

With today's outing, I believe winging for me will be a two wing quiver - the 6.0 and a 5.0.  I got a few dry tacks on the outbound leg, and I felt I got really close to the inbound jibes.  I think if I practice with a skateboard, I'll get this transition down faster.  It's nice to have wind back again!!!  Thanks to Marlon for his patience and for taking pictures.

Winging It - 11/8/2020

And while La, Leona and Noe were sailing in Pearl Harbor, I was over at Hickam Harbor using the wing.  I had the GL210 out with the chopped P18W (16" now) and I moved the mast up further forward from the previous marks.  I did that because the wind was marginal.  It is supposed to fill in stronger this week - I was hoping to get the cobwebs off before then.  The wind was up and down - I'd get gust where I could get up from a dead stand still, up onto foil almost instantly, then I'd have to shlog along for whole runs.

I was nailing my outbound tacks (felt good to do these after all the time that had gone by with light winds).  I even got a slow jibe in - I'll keep practicing these even if slow ones.

I went ahead and came in after several runs - according to my watch I went for 6.29 nm and got to 13.4 mph on my fastest run.  Fun session!

Garage Works and Winging - 10/4/2020

I was on fire today - got a lot done.  Started by hitting the barber shop so Marlon and I could get cleaned up.  Then picked up some groceries so I can make dinners later this week.  Came home and made mushroom-onion-spinach omelets.  Keeping an eye on the wind it looked like the trades were filling in again.  I shifted to teaching La and Noe how to tow (but the ball on the hitch was too big so no Laser sailing for Noe today...).  I wet sanded the GL210, GL180 and the 12" Go Foil Pedestal rear stabilizer through 320-500-1000-1500.  After all that, I loaded up the truck with the wingfoiling board, the tall Go Foil mast with Dennis's GL240, and the Duotone Echo 6m.  I dropped La off at RBM so she could go sailing with her friends and I made it to Hickam Harbor by 1:30pm.  The wind was blowing from the ENE but it was light.  Arvin was there and he was setting up for a paddle.  I figured I needed to test the GL240 so I headed out. 

I was able to get up earlier with the bigger wing - not a surprise - but I did sense I was going slower than I would with the GL210.  The died back for about 5 minutes and when I came back up, it had shifted to the NNE-NE.  I was able to get back up on foil and made some more runs, but then the wind died again.  I actually started to paddle in but then it picked back up more from the NNE.  I got in a few more runs and worked my way back up wind and made it back to the launching point.  I got in 4.91nm and got to 12.8kts.  I couldn't stick a turn today - might be because I was on a new (and bigger) front wing (same as previous wing swaps).  The day didn't end here - I got home and mowed the lawn, and then I routed out the fin block area on the board I got asked to fix (next post)

Wing Foiling Session 9 - 9/24/2020

The wind forecast called for stronger easterly winds for today, but La wasn't feeling so well - so I headed home, picked up Noe, dropped her off at sailing practice and headed to Hickam Harbor with my winging gear.  I didn't see straight east winds when I got there - in fact it was shifting around all over the place.  By the time I got the wing pumped up, the wind settled out from the NE.  It was straight out of the east for the entire day - then when I show up....

Anyways - go out and be thankful for what you have is what I try to say.  I did make some adjustments to the gear before heading out.  I shifted the foil up in the boxes by another 1/4".  I also changed out the rear stabilizer for the chopped down 16".  These adjustments were totally worth it - way less breaching today, and the couple of times I did breach, it was more like a fast lowering instead of a body slam.   And the foil was more balanced and easier to get flying - like way easier than yesterday.  I felt really confident on the setup today and even got close several times to a flying tack (just short touchdowns and right back up on foil).  I think next time I'll push the foil up another 1/8" to see if the ride gets even better - I did pay attention to where my feet were - my back foot is forward of the arch bump on the back foot pad.  I'm thinking with the foil a hair more forward, my back foot can go further back.  We'll see.  The wind did shut down after 4:30, and I eventually shlogged back to the launch - just in time to pick Noe up from sailing.  Fun day!!!!

Wing Foiling Session 8 - 9/23/2020

The wind was forecasted to be up and from the ENE, so I brought the winging gear to work with me.  The wind was up - but it was more NE than ENE.  The tide was lower (and this plays into the discussion...).  I switched the M200 and Maliko tail out for the GL210 and a P18W.  This combo doesn't lift as easily as the M200, but it does go faster when it is up and with that extra speed it seems like I can pull upwind a little more.  The wind was a bit up and down.  I was out from 3 to 5pm.



I had to fight to get back upwind during the gusts - everything would have been easier if the wind were more ENE.  I tried to make it out to the surf, but got stuck on a shallow spot with a lull.  Couple of scratches on the GL210 (grrrrrr).  I tried to make turns but on the GL210, I wasn't having any luck.  I was able to wing back in to the launch.  I made 8.88nm and got up to 13.1kts. On the beach I ended up talking with Ken - got to see how much grunt the Slingshot V2 6.4m2 wing had (lots).  After my 10th session, I'll stop posting what session I'm on - just an FYI.

Actually - Marlon went surfing at WPB and La and Noe went to Haleiwa to sail on a friend's new (to her) boat - so we were all out on the water on different parts of the island!!!