This is What Too Small Looks Like

This past Saturday, Marlon and I went to get some small surf action.  It was so small, Marlon decided to stay on the beach...  I couldn't help myself and decided the 5'2" and Go Foil Maliko 200 needed to get wet.  Since the waves were super small, every wave seemed to be a party wave - not a good thing when you are on a foil

I ended up catching ten or so waves - but only rode two on foil.  The others ended up in humbling wipeouts and even a couple of close calls (falling safely is an art).  Of the two I did ride upright, one was decent (until a longboarder decided to turn towards me - I did not want anyone to get hurt so I bailed).  I did appreciate the very high mushy tide - but Friday evening was a better foiling day.

Up and Foiling

I was able to get an afternoon session in with the foil.  I did not change anything - used the same setup as last time.  Paddled out and was able to get up on foil for seven of ten rides.  I still ate it a few times - and badly.  One was a foil breach (not enough front foot pressure), another was bad foot placement when trying to stand up, and the last was a bad run when trying to turn.  All that said - today was a monumental session - getting up on foil was finally predictable and manageable.  

I think I'm going to go out again tomorrow ;)

Too Far Back

I took Marlon to surf Friday evening.  I brought the foilboard again (I really want to nail this thing), and from the Thursday experience I thought I'd jam the foil the complete opposite way.

With the foil pedestal all the way back, there was a lot less lift.  The rides were way more stable, but on a couple I didn't even lift above the water.  On the ride I did have, I could feel there was a lot less "full throttle bucking" and more of a glide.  I need to get back out with the foil mid box - I have a good feeling about this!

One more note in general - the positioning of the pedestal should be a function of the lift generating capability of the wings - more lift from the wings for a given speed of travel (and payload weight), the further back you can place the wings.  Keeping the sport static (windsurf foiling, prone foiling), speed of travel constant, and rider weight the same - the smaller the foil wing the further forward you can mount it.

Honestly - 20+ years ago when I first learned to windsurf, I was enthralled by it because of the sail and the adjustments you could make to get more or less out of it.  I was frustrated because the wind was mostly just below the strength I needed to get out and sail - and then kiting came along and opened up that wind.  Kiting is still really fun - but it doesn't have that element of balancing of forces - you just measure the wind and put up the kite you think you can hold down.  Foiling is giving me back the goal of being able to understand adjustments and now there is no wind range threshold to meet.  I'm hooked!

Getting Ready for Number 2

Thinking about making a second foil -

Larger front wing (since I can only get the first one to rise above 50% of the time), and shorter mast (total of 24" inclusive of mounting plate and fuselage) so I don't hit the bottom.  For comparison I've got this wing on top of a Slingshot Infinity 76cm front wing (got this through a deal with an old friend).

The feedback on this foil setup has been positive.  The dimensions of the modified kit components are very similar to this one - but while I'm building up the kit, I'll be using this one in the surf.  Looking forward to comparing them all!