Wanted to fit in my normal (75cmx44cm) suitcase. All this (including harness and bar plus a 12m SOUL comes to 16Kg leaving enough weight and space for clothes. I used a carbon wrapped balsa stiffener that mounts to the board and allows a foil to be mounted onto it. To do this I sank some stainless T nuts into the board. The foil was a cut down (to 75cm) old Zeeko that I re-tapped and re-sprayed. It also has foiling straps as an option. Easy to use as a TT (15-25 knots) when fitted with pads and fins or Foil board (9-18knots) with the 12m SOUL which packs small and light. First few trials have been great with no flex and straps in perfect spot. The carbon/balsa stiffener is the key - only weighs in at 0.5Kg with the bolts. Been toying with the idea for ages and pleased to say it works really well. I saw the Mobile attempt but theres too much flex in foil mode and they haven't got the straps in the right position.
Nice. I have the Nobile version. I mounted an aluminium plate to the board handle screw slots to put my woo mount on when I'm in twin tip mode. Didn't want to step on the mount mid gybe foot switch.
Out of interest what does your packed weight come is as?
Be interested to hear how the Nobile split convertible goes. Are you using Nobile foil? and footstraps?
Suitcase with all kite gear, shorty, harness etc weighs in at 18Kg leaving 12Kg for clothes and stuff for 30 Kg allowance or 5 for 23 Kg allowance. Also use carry on for 7Kg. Looked at the Nobile but stiffness and footstrap position was an issue (as well as the price). The key is the DIY carbon wrapped balsa stiffener/foil mount and the stainless T nuts epoxied into the TT to mount the stiffener. Could have saved a few Kg by going with a carbon foil (eg Moses 71) and a FS Peak4 but wanted to make use of what I had and save some $'s. cutting down and tapping the Zeeko Ali foil was probably the trickiest part. Have used it a few times now and am really happy with the way it performs - Got it up to 45kmh!!
Select to expand quoteweebitbreezy said..
Nice. I have the Nobile version. I mounted an aluminium plate to the board handle screw slots to put my woo mount on when I'm in twin tip mode. Didn't want to step on the mount mid gybe foot switch.
Out of interest what does your packed weight come is as?
Good tip for the Woo housing - will do the same. Also am looking at an idea for increasing buoyancy by attaching some shaped foam to the flanks of the carbon stiffener somehow.......
I have only had the chance to try it in twin tip mode so far. Its good enough I could use it as an every day board (except for the quick release fins where the single retaining pin on one of them snapped in the 3rd session in deep water)
Will be trying on the foil once the lockdown finishes. I currently have a homemade foil to test with and not overly keen to get the nobile one as it seems less stable than similar priced options. My wooden foil is sub 3kg so I'm looking to make another with a detachable fuselage this time so I can shim it to get the foot position right. I have the option to borrow a zeeko blue and white with carver wing for testing too.
In terms of bouyancy, I'm looking to test out a go-joe (inflatable thing). I saw the idea on a homemade foil board with moderate bouyancy and the footstrap holes should offer me the mounting points I need. I just need to track down who borrowed mine 4 or 5 years ago now....
Thats a good weight saving. My board is about 4kg (500g heavier than my shinn) in twin tip mode. My last holiday with not a particularly light bag came in around 21kg (Duotone Rebel 11 and 9, board, harness, pump, wetsuit and a couple of random other bits of wife clutter) so to get a foil in is pretty good.
