I weigh 80kg and own a JP Freefoil 115L, Foil SB SuperCruiser 1700, Sail Glide2 7m2. Usually, the wind speed is around 7 knots, enabling me to speed up the board to 3-4 kts. However, the back of the board is submerged with this foil, slowing me down. I believe this is the limit for these conditions, and I should start pumping. However, it's challenging to find a pumping technique that keeps the board stable and accelerates it to 8-10 knots for lift-off. The board slightly accelerates when legs move it forward, but it tends to sink more, preventing me from gaining enough speed and causing fatigue quickly.
I tried changing the mast rake angle from 3.5 to 1.5 (1.5 is the minimum angle because the mast is 1.5, and the deep tuttle is 2). I used the pads to achieve 1.5. I also changed the back wing from +1 to -2 to increase speed. It did speed me up, and the back of the board is higher, but it's still underwater too much.
I compared it to the Takoon foil 1950, where the rake was 0 degrees, and wings were set at the factory. It's easy to reach 6 knots on GPS, and the board is parallel with the water's surface. A slight pump was enough to accelerate to 12 knots and achieve lift-off.
I have a question about the best settings for such conditions. Perhaps trying to level the board with the water surface is not necessary, and I should pump in a different way? What is the best foil angle (mast and rear wing), and what pumping technique is recommended?
I own the Fanatic Stingray 115, which is the same board with a different lick of paint. I also weigh 80kgs. I would never dream of putting a 7.0 on that board, regardless of the foil size. So I looked on JP's website and it says a max sail size of 6.5 for that board, but ideally <5.8. I think that board is too small to chase wind minimums. Is that the same board you used with the Takoon?
Hi I weigh about 95 kg. I use an 8.2 flyer and 160 liter board snd slingshot 84 wing. I can get going in 10 gusting to 15 knots, steady 10 knots I can't get going.Send the board downwind in a gust pump the sail a bit pump your legs build up speed pump more and you're up. Sounds like you need a bigger board.
Getting going in 7 knots of wind with the gear you have is quite ambitious. I need to measure 10-12 mph (8.5-10.5 knots) on shore to have a chance to get going on an SC1700 with a 7.0 foil sail. I'm 5-8 kg heavier than you but on a larger board (Stingray 140). If I don't measure gusts above 10 knots, I'm unlikely to get up on the foil. Readings from the local wind meter (10 m in the air, on top of a building) are usually a couple of knots higher.
The Takoon 1950 is a higher aspect foil than the SC 1700, and about 50% wider. That means it should get going a lot earlier than the SuperCruiser. On the Starboard Freeride 1100, which has the same width as the SC 1700 but is thinner and narrower, I have about the same wind minimum as on the SC1700. I absolutely would not expect the SuperCruiser to take off as early as larger, higher aspect foil.
Thanks for answers.Select to expand quoteBullroarerTook said..
I own the Fanatic Stingray 115, which is the same board with a different lick of paint. I also weigh 80kgs. I would never dream of putting a 7.0 on that board, regardless of the foil size. So I looked on JP's website and it says a max sail size of 6.5 for that board, but ideally <5.8. I think that board is too small to chase wind minimums. Is that the same board you used with the Takoon?
I used the same sail for Takoon. I have a smaller 5.6m2 without camber, but it has less power, and I sail about 1 knot slower. It's much easier to handle, but in 90% of cases, light wind forces me to switch to something larger. I know that the board is small and the producer recommends smaller sails but first I need to figure out how to fix my problem with achieving lift-off. After that and 10000 moments later :) I should be good enough to change the sail to a smaller one.Select to expand quoteboardsurfr said..
On the Starboard Freeride 1100, which has the same width as the SC 1700 but is thinner and narrower, I have about the same wind minimum as on the SC1700. I absolutely would not expect the SuperCruiser to take off as early as larger, higher aspect foil.
It's interesting that the SF 1100 and SC 1700 can start in similar conditions. There are times when the wind is at 4-5 knots, and almost everyone on the water is barely moving. However, there are also athletes who try to pump and manage to get into levitation. Some riders use boards of 200 liters and foils of 800, and sails around 7-8m2. It's definitely about the pumping technique because everyone has the same equipment, and some succeed while others wait for a stronger gust.Select to expand quoteHydrosurf said..
Hi I weigh about 95 kg. I use an 8.2 flyer and 160 liter board snd slingshot 84 wing. I can get going in 10 gusting to 15 knots, steady 10 knots I can't get going.Send the board downwind in a gust pump the sail a bit pump your legs build up speed pump more and you're up. Sounds like you need a bigger board.
For now, I won't have a larger board, so I'm trying to make the most of what I have, adjusting angles and perfecting my pumping technique. But you have a right that a bigger board like 150L and more shouldn't sink while pumping and help to lift.
Select to expand quotewrzaskun said..
Thanks for answers.
... It's interesting that the SF 1100 and SC 1700 can start in similar conditions. There are times when the wind is at 4-5 knots, and almost everyone on the water is barely moving. However, there are also athletes who try to pump and manage to get into levitation. Some riders use boards of 200 liters and foils of 800, and sails around 7-8m2. It's definitely about the pumping technique because everyone has the same equipment, and some succeed while others wait for a stronger gust.
For now, I won't have a larger board, so I'm trying to make the most of what I have, adjusting angles and perfecting my pumping technique. But you have a right that a bigger board like 150L and more shouldn't sink while pumping and help to lift.
Pumping is both technique and, imho, fitness. It takes a lot of energy and stamina to drive a board off the water in light air repeatedly. It's a challenge for a lot of casual windsurfers to put that much into pumping especially if it needs to be repeated a few times. Also, the more clever recreational pumpers keep an eye out for the gusts. We have days where the wind is really light and patchy and it pays to anticipate where to be when the gusts come across the water. I've seen fellow windfoilers plod along straight not aware that a pumpable gust is just behind them (I'm sure I've done this more than a few times, too.)
You most likely need a smaller foil, Floatier board and bigger sail. Think formula foil gear. At the moment you are probably on the wind limit for that gear.
