So what is the perfect board size?
For a one board quiver, what is the ideal size? Obviously the original 91 cm Slam boards for the PWA are a little large but is it 89, 85, 79, 75, 71?
What's the ideal size for a one board quiver for modern 540 "large" (ha ha) to small 366 sized front foils and 5m to 8m sails?
I have (had) 75, 85, 91 and 100 foil race/slalom/speed boards (all Fanatic/Duotone Falcons). I'd say the best compromise is the one I'm using most of the time now: 85cm. It's great with every sail size (8.7, 7.5, 6.4, 5.4 and 4.5) and wing size (800, 560, 475 & 410) I mostly use these days. Obviously the 100cm is more efficient with 8.7/9.9 for course racing (900 wing), and the 75 is somewhat more manageable with 5.4 and 4.5 - but if I were to have a one-board quiver I'd go with the 85 without hesitation.
Ps: I sold the 91.
Oops, forgot; I've also had the 81 
Great board and was my most used foil board last year, but it was a bit small with sails bigger than 7.5.
I have a starboard freeride 150 (85cm wide) and a tabou 91cm wide. The 85 is a great allrounder - perfect to learn on and takes you right up to slalom foiling at speed. I do notice I can't get very good upwind angles, and an 8m sail is as big as I want to go. The 91 is better in that regard. I think if you want to do some course racing and get the most out of upwind, the 91 is the sweet spot - not as good as a 95 or 100 for the extreme upwind angles but good enough and still usable with smaller sails/slalom type. So my two cents is either the 91 or 85.
I am reminded how narrow the wing foil boards are. I wonder if a skinny board allows more angle, bringing the mast length down for same heel down angle and therefore keeping the foil in the water longer for increased swell size!?
Select to expand quoteberowne said..
I am reminded how narrow the wing foil boards are. I wonder if a skinny board allows more angle, bringing the mast length down for same heel down angle and therefore keeping the foil in the water longer for increased swell size!?
Yes plus easier take off with HA wings.
For one board performance quiver, I'd say mid 80s, too. As has been mentioned before, an IQFoil Jr (85cm) has competed with success on the women's side of the PWA
I think that program, body weight, foiler level, wind range influence the answer.
PWA and IQ foilers cannot be truly terms of comparison. They have enough body weight, ability, skills to afford almost any condition from 10 to 30 kts using just 1 board despite performing different programs.
Any time the weekend warrior pretend to limit his equipment he also limits his chances (for same tow, same skills, same tuning....)
I don't think the evolution in wing board design is fully replicable to wind foil (race, slalom or speed) where you need a minimum width to maintain leverage over the sail. the development seems to be more in the hull design (cf. Phantom, Tribal, and others I can't recall) rather than (just) width.
My criteria is the smallest board possible to still slog for 20 minutes home if the wind turns off. I dont want to have to swim it back. For me thats a 114L board. I'm 145 lbs.
My criteria is the smallest board possible to still slog for 20 minutes home if the wind turns off. I dont want to have to swim it back. For me thats a 114L board. I'm 145 lbs.
