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Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:24 pm
by kitecrazy
I've seen a couple more people riding foil boards at Sherman. I know there are a few different manufacturers out there but where are people buying them from?

Anyone have a foil board they are looking to get rid of...?

If you've tried riding one or currently ride one, what is your opinion of the board you have?

I've pondered making one and know that kiteforum.com has a board making area that has info about homemade foil boards but with a newborn at home I don’t have the time to throw at making a new board.

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:22 pm
by Loscocco
http://www.taaroa-kitefoil.com is a French company that makes some of the latest performance foil boards.

That is the one that Bryan Lake is seen riding against the AC72 in this video.
Pretty amazing performance for not costing $10,000,000+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMbwBAts-bE[/video]

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:24 am
by mikelu
Kite Crazy
I just purchased my foil on Maui, Its a LIFT, they are the Easiest to learn on from what ive been told. You sould check with Kite the Bay I believe they are a Lift dealer. Get with me when you get one we can noseplant together. Also I spoke with Alex Aguera he is now making foil boards . hope this helps.
Maui Mike

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:58 am
by sloughslut
I would ask Lodwik, cool dude! always at sherm

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:35 pm
by rowboat
You can get one from MHL / Lift by emailing Nick@mhlcustom.com -- mine is in the works. I was just in the DR and rode his boards a bunch, as well as an older Carafino foil that I borrowed for the trip. The Carafino was somewhat heavier/slower but perhaps even easier to ride, the Lift beautifully designed and built, lighter (all carbon), very smooth riding and a bit faster. Nick said that Lift will have interchangeable freeride/race foils soon (if not already). My interest is freeriding so I'm going LIFT.

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 5:00 pm
by Frappes
A bit off-topic, but how hard is it to ride a foil? Does it really require one of the $1500 lessons Captain John is slanging, or could I realistically manage to teach myself if I wanted to?

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:55 am
by kitecrazy
Its looking like my pocket book forces me to make a foil board instead of buy one.
Lodwik says Carafino is no longer making foilboards...as a result he's already ordered one from Zeeko. I think he's getting the Makaira.
Lodwik also tried Sheldon's custome one-off foil and liked it. I doubt Bruce will make another.
The MHL and Taaroa board and foil sets are all over $2500 I've found. Way too much for my poor blood.

I have low cost avenues to design/make/experiment with low tech foil boards which I'll most likely pursue.

Every foilboarder I know has learned to ride their foils on their own. None of them have paid the $1500. Will the lessons save some painful crashes...possibly. Part of the fun in learning is doing it on your own.

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 1:44 pm
by kitenaked
get me a sample. Will get it digitally scanned and then printed with a 3d printer.

The cost is a joke with the technology available.

New set of race fins? I will print you a set. Haha.

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:37 pm
by rowboat
@Frappes - I just spent a few days learning to ride one and from my point of view it was very challenging. The foil generates a TON of lift/leverage and will throw you at all sorts of angles, often towards the foil if you're not very careful. After about 6-7 hours on the water I was riding in both directions and starting to make turns, not gybing or making transitions yet, still falling off often but also riding for minutes at a time. Now, 6-7 hours may not sounds like a lot, but riding the foil required my FULL concentration and ANY distraction resulting in getting pitched into the water... and I have been riding boards for many years.

@kitenaked - interesting idea, and you're probably right that before long you'll be able to print a foil that's strong enough to ride... but at the moment I'm sure you could print the *shape* of the foil, but probably not something as strong as carbon fiber layup. I would be super interested in someone proving otherwise, though.

Re: Where to get foil boards?

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:22 pm
by Col.kiteman
Im in. I can get 1/2" stainless steel .065" wall tubing from work and tube fittings. Use that as the core of the foil/ part of the stringer (which u would be able to tig some plate to and tap holes for straps. From there its a matter of shaping some foam and a carbon fiber / carbon kevlar layup.