Foiling Speed!

dvCali · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1314

Sometimes I feel a bit silly talking about foiling because I remain the worst foiler at the beach and there is a very high likelihood I will eventually give it up because it is too difficult for me but ... call it wishful thinking: some new results are really too impressive not to mention.

If you follow the french foiling forum you already noticed but Nico Goyard just got 36.45 knots over 2 seconds, and 34.22 out of 10s. Those are already more than impressive. But the most impressive is the 32.93 knots on 1km !!!!

Open water with more than 20 knots of wind, prototype 91 wide, IRIS R race with small wing and small stab, Ga slalom 5.6.

To put things in perspective for open water sailing: that 32.93 knots over one km is as fast or faster than the best 2s speed I have seen documented on a fin in the Bay Area!

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Smaller front wings might be the solution.
What works great at 16 mph is horrible for 38 mph.
A 600 sq cm foil might be too big.
Between you, me, and Vincent.......worse foiler is attainable.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

And STEADY 15 mph with a 4.0 allows us to be at our very best.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

Why do you think your the worse ever? I'm a way better windsurfer than foiler but I have a blast on foil. So much depends on getting your gear set up for your style, weight, wing size, sail size and on and on. I foiled for 2 years and couldn't get near the straps on a first gen Sling shot board and foil. That said I could get up and fly pretty easy but I had to stand way forward to balance for level flight. Last year I got a board that has an adjustable foil track. Made a huge difference for me. I can fly level in the harness and both straps. And feel fairly comfortable doing so. Took a few adjustments to get it dialed in. I think all foil boards should have and sliding foil track. Try different set ups to get your gear balanced. could make a huge difference...

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551

I agree with steady wind and the smallest sail that you can get flying. Just like windsurfing, it takes time to develop skills that allow for more sail and wind.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Naish setup, stock foil.
Level flight since fall, foil jibes eluding me still.
Steady breeze is 90% of the equation. 3-23 up and down, direction changing, is tough.
Berkeley has great 12-20 in mid summer. 4.5.
Berkeley is mostly 3-16 when lighter breezes blow rest of the year.
Just taking too long to become competent.
WS 3 out of 4 days makes the learning curve take even longer.

dvCali · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1314

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

One of the locals is a slow windsurfer, at 145 lbs.
When he's powered on his 600 sq.cm. foil, he can stay with rec windsurfers who can jibe decently. Probably faster than he windsurfs, but close.
Small foils might need longer masts which brings it's own drawbacks.

wsatl · Joined: 30 Sep 2014 Posts: 66

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

I sail Berkeley.
What takes 3 minutes to go from Marina to Emeryville now takes 4 minutes on the foil.
Boring to death. Unless you like precarious balancing and constant attention the whole time. All while foiling slower than anything on the water except dinghys.