What's Out there

Currently the only foilboard that we're aware of that's globally available is the Carafino M9X.
There are official distributors in some countries but if you don't have a local distributor you can order directly from the website : http://www.carafino.com

For those of you who have apprehensions about ordering from the internet - rest assured, in my limited experience no problem what so ever.
The boards we ordered arrived within 7 days via DHL direct to my door.
The Carafino comprises a Carbon 3 piece foil - very beautiful looking piece of design and production
A choice of boards that are fixed to the foil via SS bolts

The only other board we're currently aware of is the Rush Randle ripper or cruiser - you can check them out at : http://www.neilprydemaui.com
These boards come in various lengths and the 3 part foil is made from aluminum paint finished or anodised.
I'm sure this is equally as sexy as the carbon foil of Carafino but not having seen it - can not comment.
There is an option to chose a shorter length foil which makes a difference to the complexity of riding - anyone who could expand on this would be greatly welcomed

Not sure if this is the same technology that Rush Randle is using as the board names are the same : http://www.skyski.com
Specific waterski hydrofoil with the boards appearing to be much shorter and graphically different.

The Synapse Splitwave twintip hydrofoil is a project that is currently undergoing development in the UK : http://www.synapsekitesurfing.co.uk
The board is not currently on sale but we believe the principal is very much based on a twin tip approach so gibing or riding toe side is not an essential.

Don't forget if you order direct you may also incur Custom Tax / Import Duty which can be as much as an additional 30%
Buying from your local dealer is a good option as they will usually be able to offer you back up support and tips on how and where to ride it

The current 2009 board prices are listed as :

Carafino - 1200 USD
Rush Randle - from 1995 USD

If anyone knows of any other hydrofoil boards coming onto the market please post the information ASAP

I ride a skyski board/foil... super long tbar... it's the same as the neilpryde you mentioned, the longer version. Personally, I think the long tbar might be overkill, the short one would be plenty.

The longer tbar gives you more moment on the wings, which allows you to change their direction (down to up) very fast and generate more air without the use of the kite. Even though they are heavier, the longer tbars are generating 5+ more feet of air consistently on the sit down versions.

Wow - I don't understand your last paragraph. Forgive me but that's a lot of Jargon for a simple waterman. Are you saying that the T (I use this T as a point of reference - it represents a section through the foil, the board is attached to the base of the T- if that makes any sense)

Are you referring to the longditudinal vertical length of the T-Bar or the horizontal --- length to where the hydrofoil wings attach? The Carafino has a fixed length of circa 85cm give or take a few mm. This is the only production board we have access to currently in Europe. It works well and has been providing a lot of fun for us over the last 4 months

I think what Brett is talking about here is that with the longer t-bars you have more leverage on the wings, making it possible to get a quicker reaction with less input or movement. Another contributor to this kind of "quickness" is wing design, and how much the wings are "tuned" or streamlined.

To airJunky,

I noted you use a kind of airchair wing. Do you use this board for kitefoiling too?

I notice that airchair delivers different kinds of wings (3 back wings for level from beginners to expert), did you try them? and what do you feel different?

have a look here for examples: http://www.airchair.com/products/air_chairs/standard.htm

Ride easy,

Nicolas

Nicolas a écrit:

To airJunky,

I noted you use a kind of airchair wing. Do you use this board for kitefoiling too?

I notice that airchair delivers different kinds of wings (3 back wings for level from beginners to expert), did you try them? and what do you feel different?

have a look here for examples: http://www.airchair.com/products/air_chairs/standard.htm

Ride easy,

Nicolas

Nicolas, AirJunky rides a Skyski - he makes them in fact . It is a lot different than the Air chair product. Air Chair doesn't make a factory stand up foil.
I can also tell you about the different back wings. It is actually only 2 (1 is flipped around for pro position).
The design idea was to soften landings by using a curved blade. It worked a little I guess, but more importantly, made the riding less stable...harder to control.

do you use the skyski for kitefoiling? if yes, which one do you use?
The main trouble of the carafino (the one I have sorry!) is the downwind. It is difficult to control the board.
I'm interesting about the differences with the skyski.

foil easy,

Nicolas

Nicholas,

going off the wind is the big issue with the current foils. In winds up to 15knts you can travel upwind much faster and point higher than a conventional directional board but when it come to going off the wind or even reaching the directional boards are currently much quicker.

Therefore we have to come up with a fix ASAP and then we can dominate the LD and Course racing for a while ;o)

Go steady

Hey guys, just found another distributor of carbon foils. Unfortunately, he is more expensive than carafino, and I haven't seen one yet, but it sounds like this guy has his stuff together!

http://site.walkercomposites.com/

Here is what he wrote to me about their construction.

A little additional info about the struts & foils - I don't do boards. The struts are custom built and are full carbon, if you cut it in half anywhere, you will only see carbon(no glass or bulking material) They weigh in at about 4 lbs avg. The foil inserts are s/steel threaded and locked in G-10 blocks keyed in the strut. I've never had a foil insert pull. The top inserts are alum & s/steel and are tapped. I have built them with both straight and wavy leading edges. The straight L/E is the most predictable - wavy is extremely loose and quick. The finish is clear over carbon - any artwork is extra and limited to Koa, Balsa, and fabric weaves - all work on the website foils is balsa & weaves.

The foils are designed specifically for stand up surfing. Variable camber and inconsistent outline let them ride like no other. Carbon skins with a light core of about 25% of the foil size. They are very stable up and down yet loose when carving. As they approach the surface they are said to create their own bubble that resists drop out. Even when turning with half the foil out of the water they will hold strong.

They are foils that can be ridden by novice or professional and not give up anything. Durability is good if certain care and precautions are taken - i've got struts that have surfed hard by the best in the world for 4 years and no failures. However, if they are dinged, nicked or cracked by hitting debris or running a ground they will break(usuall the foils). Formula one cars work well until they hit a pothole, trucks( aluminum gear) will take a pothole all day but perform like a truck - heavy. These are custom built exclusively for each rider and will perform as such, they also require that level of care.