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)

Wing Foiling Session - 6/8/2022

Lots of coordination today - Marlon got dropped off at my office so Noe could pick up La, who could then drive Noe to sailing practice - then I would pick up Noe and La would come back from the hospital when she was done visiting her dad.  That left an opportunity for me to get a wing session in.

Too bad the wind didn't cooperate. 

I brought the big guns out today... M200 on the Stringy GoFoil fuselage (next time I'll use aluminum tape on the male ferrule - the front foil was a hair loose), the 16.875" chopped down P18W stabilizer, and the 6.1 Takuma RS.

Harris came out (even though he wanted to go to WPB) - but he was not able to get up on foil.  I got up and as long as the wind was present, I could jibe.  But I was probably on the water schlogging as much as I was on foil.

It was a good session to shake off the cobwebs as the next several days looks like stronger winds will start to fill in! 

W:45/F:58/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 1/11/2022

As you can tell from the blog entries, the wind has been down for quite some time.  There was a blip in the wind forecast - today called for winds in the ridable range, amidst days on end with barely even a breeze.  I did not want to get skunked so I brought out the big foils - Maliko 200, GL210 and in case it was good, the PNL185.

Driving up, it looked light.  Setting up, it still looked light, but the forecast called for the winds to consolidate and strengthen a little towards the end of the day.  I was headed to the water at 3pm.

I started out with the GL210.  I had mounted the new camera mount, so I did not pump the OR A 5.0 that aggressively, so I had some down periods when I think I should have been up.  The battery died quick, so this session with the camera was mainly testing the mount.  The wind had a lot of north in it, so those blue streaks below were schlogging.

Lots of jibes - the GL210 is super easy to transition.  After a little bit, I wanted to ditch the camera so I could pump, but with the wind as holey as it was, getting back to the beach was challenging.

I did make it back, and I took the camera back to the truck and grabbed the M200.

I should have also checked the pressure in the wing - I noticed a little flex in the leading edge.  When I got back to the truck at the end of the session, I checked the pressure - 4 psi in the leading edge... I'm going to have to figure out what is going on.  I think I am not tightening down the valve enough (and am hoping it is not a leaking bladder).

The M200 was really fun to use (and I'm sure would have been better if I had the LE pressurized properly).  It had a decent speed considering how big and thick it is.  Definitely a session saver (maybe even with a OR A 6.0).

I'm glad I got some winging in - the forecast for at least the next week is really dismal for wind.

I'm going to keep track of what sessions I run this year.  Winging (W) - 1; Foiling (F) - 2; Surfing (S) - 4.  When I have a chance, I'll count the sessions from last year and see where I ended up.

Winging Session 7 - 9/13/2020

I was watching the wind reports until after lunch - the wind turned SE and jumped up above 15 kts.  I could not resist and packed up the truck.  Marlon came along (he was the photographer) to get out of the house.  I met Randy (the other Duotone rider) and Arvin (Naish) in the parking lot.  We all reflected on the fact that it is rare to get winds from the SE.  I finished setting up and headed out.

The wind was good - and the direction gave me tons of confidence since botching up meant blowing back to the launch.  I even got out to the break on two runs and started to play in the waves.  I've surfed out there plenty of times, but winging on a 32.5" mast gives you a totally different perspective.  The water was super clear and there were huge turtles every where.

I got in a few jibes and tacks without getting wet (none on foil today).  As good as everything else was, the frustrating thing about today was a bunch of stalling.  On a few of my runs, I had plenty of power in the wing, but I couldn't get the foil to lift and I would just schlogg along.  I'm not sure if the foil would hang on to air bubbles or if I was stalling the foil - I'm going to have to figure this problem out.

I called it a day after a bunch of sailboats came out and started racing.  Really good winging today!!!

Winging Session 6 and the Anointment of No.19

Today's forecast called for steady tradewinds in the 10 to 20 mph range.  I finished work early today and was heading home to pickup Noe to take her to sailing - but the class got canceled due to stronger winds.  She blamed the new students lack of skills - which is true - and then started to look for something else to do.  I stuck to my plan and headed to Hickam to try out the new board.

I setup pretty quick since No.19 fits in the truck bed with the foil bolted on.  The wind seemed a little light and coming from the NE.  Every now and then it would blow from the E and pick up.  The new board obviously has less volume when compared to the Hypernut, but I distributed what volume it does have to support the actions required to get the board up and going.  I could get up on my knees to start without much issue.  On this board I could also pump onto foil - I wasn't able to do that on the Hypernut.  On the first run out, I was even able to almost complete a foiling tack.  I ended up getting several tacks, but they were all wet tacks.  I even got a few wet jibes.  I just need more practice. I did come in once to pull the foil forward in the tracks - about an inch forward as it was pretty far back.  I think I still need to pull it up a little more to optimize.

I met and talked with Harrison today.  He is the best foiler out at this break.  He was encouraging me to go ahead and venture out into the break.  I told him I want to get better on the turns and I have to get the feel of this new board first - but soon enough.  I'm glad I went ahead and brought this board out!  I'd say it has been properly anointed.  Oh - and Marlon said I am allowed to put stickers on it now.

Third Wing Foiling Session

Today was supposed to be the last day of brisker trade winds - so I brought my gear with me to work this morning.  I got off at 3pm (normal time) and drove over to the launch.  I was setup and running in a few minutes (would be faster if the foil could be transported mounted to the board - but the Hypernut is too long and so is the 29.5" + 3" track adaptor).

The wind was absolutely perfect!!!  More east and it was nice and strong.  I stayed out over an hour and was foiling all over the place - more than held my line and never felt overpowered (just flagged the wing).  I kept trying transitions and was getting tacks on the outbound run and jibes on the inside.  I was getting them, but not all the way on foil.  But heck - this is just my third session on the wing so I can't complain!!!  I love winging!!!

Second Session Wing Foiling

The wind was coming more from the east earlier today and it was blowing stronger.  I headed back to Hickam to get another session in.  I set the foil all the way forward this time (since yesterday I was having issues getting up on foil on starboard tack).  After I brought the board/foil to the launch, I took out the wind meter and I was seeing gusts to 25 with steady breeze at 16.  Not knowing what the range of the Duotone 6m is, I have to admit I was a little anxious/excited.

With the wind pulling more east, I was able to launch as soon as I cleared the point - and with the wind strength, I was up on foil pretty quick.  Everything was going better than yesterday.  I noticed once up on foil, everything calmed down - I wasn't having to fight the wing, and the board/foil just "went".  More than windsurfing ever was, Wing Foiling is totally about finesse.  Starboard tack foiling was easy today also - I can't say if it was the foil adjustment or the increased wind speed - probably both.  Most of my runs were up on foil (as opposed to yesterday when I was shlogging on starboard and only flying on port).  According to my watch, I got up to 13.7mph today.  I only overfoiled/breached once.  On most runs I'd have a lot of room to hold the wing out like a windsurfing sail and still had plenty of room below the wing tip.

There were several other wingers out today - the Commodore of Pacific Yacht Club was on a Duotone Echo also; there was someone out on a Slingshot V2 Slingwing; and as I was heading in a guy on a 4.6 Naish Wingsurfer V2 was out.  I'm glad I got the 6m Echo - knowing the winds around here, I'll need the power it has.  I also like the boom a lot - I can make small adjustments to my hand placement and make the wing balanced. I also liked moving my feet around - with no straps on deck, there was nothing to get in the way.  It made turning a little easier not having to step around/over things.  I did get one tack in without crashing and a few jibes - but these were not up on foil - the ones that were ended up being train wrecks.  I could sense the wind was shifting more to the North, so after an hour and a half, I called it and sailed in to the launch point.  I can tell this is going to be a fun addition to foil surfing!

First Winging Session

And La and I went to Hickam Beach to enjoy the water.  La went SUPing with the Starboard Element and I brought out the Starboard Hypernut, slapped on the Go Foil Maliko 200 (with the 29.5" Mast + 3" track mount).

The tide was dropping from a high of 2.3'.  The wind was blowing 12 to 16 mph, but there was a lot of North to it.  In fact, the longer the session, the more the wind shifted more North.  I actually was holding a line, but I got to a point where I just transferred the wing leash down to my ankle and started paddling in.

Winging is way easier than windsurf wave foiling - I got on foil on port tack and stayed on foil forever.  I was able to get on foil pretty much every time was close to the runway.  On the other hand, I was only able to get up on foil a couple of times.  I think this was mainly due to the north wind and me not wanting to go downwind to build speed.

Today's conditions are definitely at the low end of the Echo.  I never had to drop the wing, but I got close.  During the gusts, the wing felt really good.  Tomorrow is supposed to be better - stronger winds and more from the East.  Great start to winging!!!

Evening Session - 7/7/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB this evening.  The wind was down, as was the surf - but the tide was pretty high.  Marlon was catching everything on his longboard.  I tried something different.

I brought out the Starboard Hypernut with the Go Foil Maliko 200 and a SUP paddle.  I basically was trying to see what potential this setup had for the early wing foiling sessions.  You can get to your knees pretty easily on this board with the foil in place.  I figure this will be a good beginner wing foiling board.  No I didn't catch any waves today.  And yes this setup was a pain in the butt to carry.  But when I do get a wing, this should work well at Hickam Harbor.  Then when I can do turns and launch on both tacks, I can drop down to the as of yet unmade wingfoil board I've got on the rack.

Windy Saturday, Part 1

The trades were up and strong today, so we brought the kids to Pearl Harbor to get some windsports in.  First we dropped Noe and La off at Rainbow Bay Marina where Noe could go sailing.  Then I took Marlon to Hickam Harbor to learn how windsurf.

We brought the old Kailua sailboard and the iRig inflatable sail.  You may recall seeing this inflated on a post a while back - well it has taken this long but I finally got one of the kids on it.  I originally started teaching the kids on my smallest sail - an old Naish Hokua 3.75 m2 wave sail.  That sail on a mast and boom was a little too heavy for Noe and barely manageable for Marlon.  I got the iRig, but we've all been doing other things.  With the wind up, the surf would have been a little rough - Marlon was game while Noe opted for the Laser.  I took the rig out first just to make sure it all worked (this was the first time out).  I through on two foot straps and placed a SUP paddle through them just so if something did go wrong later, Marlon could paddle back.

He took off after a short lesson and was buzzing around powered up nicely.  He was doing so well that I setup my wind foiling rig (7'4" Starboard Hypernut, 29.5"+3" Go Foil mast, Maliko 200 and Maliko tail, Naish Lift 4.7 m2 sail).  I got up a bunch but the wind was on and off.  There was a wing foiler out (Duotone V1 wing and Kalama Performance foil board) - made me wonder if it would be easier to just wing foil....

Marlon and I both finished up around the same time - and we went off to pick up La and Noe (Part 2)

Evening Session - 3/15/2020

We double dipped today!!!  Second session I brought out the 5'6" foilboard and the Maliko 200 on the short mast.  The tide was somewhere between 0.9' to 1.2' - deep enough that I didn't really have to worry about grounding.  The wind was coming from the SE and you could see squalls riding the visible horizon.

Marlon was trying tricks again.  I definitely had the correct equipment out - this setup was perfect from the get go.  I caught ten in an hour and a half - long rides with minimal pumping, just gliding along and when a section showed or I got close to the beach, I'd crank a carving turn and dismount.  Too much fun!!!

I also got a couple of pump returns as a bonus - I could have taken the first return wave for a 2 for 1, but I just took the ride back out.  One of the squalls finally caught us and we called it!  Really fun session that proved the right gear makes all the difference. 

Wednesday Evening Session - 3/11/2020

Based on the previous days of surf, I thought there was going to be similar conditions - but when Marlon and I got to the beach, the surf was really small.  We were out anyways so off we went.  The wind was coming out of the west (odd), but it did not impact the surface much.  The tide was at 1.6' - I could have brought out the Armstrong with this depth, but I kept with the previous setup for expediency (5'2" Foilboard and the Maliko 200).

I caught five - the first I came off early due to foot placement, and every wave got progressively better from there.  My last wave was sweet - lots of glide and got in some hard turns but as I rode it all the way in, my dismount got twisted and my right shin caught the underside rail of the board.  Now I have a ding repair to knock out (and since I'll be working on the board, I'll switch the vent to an auto).

Marlon came in earlier than I did.  When it gets this small, it actually starts to get a little frustrating because some people feel they have to surf every wave.  Add to that the takeoff spots condense down and it could make you want to just pack it up for the day which is the opposite effect you are looking for in surfing.  The swell is supposed to be down for the next several days - good time to catch up on the garage projects.

Tuesday Evening Session - 3/10/2020

Marlon and I hit the beach for an evening session.  Initially I had the 5'2" setup with the Iwa on the 24.5" mast + 3" adaptor.

As we drove up to the parking lot, it looked small - and after going down and checking on it, I decided to swap out the Iwa and Kai tail for the Maliko 200.

The swell was about waist high on the sets, but predominantly thigh high.  There was barely any wind and the tide was good and high at 1.5' (which is why I brought the foil instead of the Viking).  This was my first foil session in a while - really since I got the Viking.  I paddled for a wave and ejected because of bad foot placement, but after that I pretty much had long rides.  I was at Fenceline for a while because the crowd at Sand Lots was really dense.  After riding a several all the way back to the beach, I went ahead and paddled over to Fenceline.  I had to bypass a few because they were too steep for the Maliko.  I did catch a bunch and I got the feeling for this foil again - by the last few waves, I was cranking hard turns (fun G-Forces!!!).  Morale of this story - don't be shy about bringing the extra wings to the beach.

Marlon caught a bunch on his longboard so all was right with the universe.

Dawn Patrol - 2/22/2020

Marlon and I hit it early today - we were out in the water well before the sun came out.  The swell was a little bigger than I thought it was going to be - solid waist high.  The tide was a lowering high at 1.4' and there was zero wind.

I had expected it to be knee high so I had brought the 5'6" and the Maliko 200.  I took this out for a bit since it was already setup, despite the less than optimal (for this setup) conditions.  First wave confirmed it - waves were too big.  I was still able to control the foil and got some fun rides, but I was surfing less and wrestling with the lift more.  After several waves, I rode one in and headed back to the van.  I had brought the Iwa and the Kai tail and swapped them in and adjusted the mast forward.  I paddled back out and all was right in the universe.  Takeoffs were easy with no fear of breaching from too much lift; long rides with minimal pumping; torquey turns to go from section to section - what more can you ask for.


Marlon was catching everything, but got cold after I had paddled back out.  He was back on the beach and took these pictures.

Totally fun session!!!  Will hit it again tomorrow morning!!!

Evening Session - 2/13/2020

Got home today from work and headed to the beach - been working late all this week so I needed to paddle around.  The tide was a rising high - I got in at 0.5' and got out at 0.9'.  The swell was thigh high with occasional belly high sets.  There was some wind, but not enough to blow out the surf.

I had the 5'2" and the Maliko 200 out again - the foil setting is perfect so I'll mark this position and start surfing a different combo next time.

I got three really fun rides right off the bat.  All glide and not much pumping - magic of the Maliko.  But after a couple more, the swell seemed to double up and I did not want to take off on a wave that was too steep (while using the Maliko).  I figured I had my fair share and took one last one in.  Hopefully I can do it all again tomorrow!

Stealth Mission (Dawn Patrol) - 2/9/2020

In an effort to get around the issues from yesterday (CROWD), Marlon and I hit the surf really early today.  It was so early when we got there that the full moon was still out (so technically this was a stealth mission).

The thermometer on the Odyssey said it was 54F outside - we think it was probably closer to 60F - but regardless it was COLD.  The waves were really small - smaller than yesterday and with the high tide, they were barely breaking.

Marlon got three pretty quickly and then went it.  It took me a lot longer to get my three - I had the 5'2" out again and the Maliko 200.

Last night I adjusted the foil back further - almost to the end and it seemed to be better in the surf (less tendency to want to lift right away as I was paddling for a wave - easier to control while riding).  I would have had an easier time catching more waves if I brought out the 5'6" - but getting the foil position dialed was worth the extra paddling.

It is days like this morning that make me think I need a Firewire Viking in my life...

Dawn Patrol - 2/8/2020

Marlon and I hit it this morning - it was cold - 61F air temp.

It was tiny - maybe knee-thigh high on the sets, and it was crowded.  When it gets like this, the takeoff points consolidate and everyone starts tripping all over each other.

I caught three (Marlon might have caught more) then we called it.  There were some "visitors" that were hogging the waves - I don't like surfing around people like that - BLAH.

I used the Maliko 200 on the 5'2".  I had the foil mounted back about 3/4" from where I had the Iwa.  It felt like it had a tad too much lift at takeoff and it didn't want to set a line.  I should have taken out the 5'6" for the paddling power, but I want to get the foil position dialed in with this combo.  If I go out tomorrow, it'll be even earlier to get a jump on the crowd.