Ok so I posted about the Manta as below and got 3 or 4 red thumbs, I presume from sellers of the foil fish for suggesting that the fish board isn't really ideal as a foil board, as they've just used an existing skim/surf fish design rather than something made for foils (not enough volume or nose rocker, heavy, etc).
Rather than spam the other thread, I thought I'd start my own to kinda document my own research and it might help others. I'm intending to buy a foil board when the stars align and I have the money, time, and I heal up some war wounds. Maybe as early as the start of next season.
There appears to be a rush of foils entering the market, led by the euros, particularly france, but with the rest of the world catching up. First wave, carbon race foils for a huge price. 2nd wave which is just starting now, Aluminium/Fibreglass or Aluminium/Carbon for much less money, but a couple of extra kilos.
I might buy a 2nd hard carbon model, or a new hybrid, haven't decided.
Foil Fish
The first to hit the market here is the Foil Fish, plenty of threads already, for $2000 you can walk into a store here and get a fish board that can be used for surf kiting without the foil, a slow, forgiving, easy alu/fg foil with faster c/f wings available down the line, and even a bag. There are reviews in other threads here.
liquidforcekites.com
Manta
Manta is a kite foil board, with alu mast & f/g wings, also with faster c/f wings available. Their board has lots of volume, big concaves, big rocker on the nose, and inverted rails. Thekitefoil have just started doing free shipping worldwide Current price I work out at $2200 delivered. www.thekitefoil.com/#!online-store/cre6/!/manta-2015-hydrofoil-with-Pro-Race-board/p/46563788/category=12087149
Alpinefoil
Alpinefoil have just released an aluminium + carbon fibre foil as well, for $1185 that could be worthwhile depending on what board you sourced. Renders look pretty but I haven't seen actual pics yet. Not sure on package price & postage yet. www.alpinefoil.com/en/pages/kitefoil/kitefoil-alpinefoil-5-0.html
Zeeko have just announced a hybrid for around 800 euros. TheKiteFoil used to make their foils up until last year. I'll post on that when more details come up.
Sroka
I seem to have forgotten Sroka who have an alu/fg offering that comes in at $1950 plus postage.
A patent pending system of attachment as do Magmafoil (who seems to have the easiest system to use, one screw from back)
www.srokashop.com/default.php
Horue
Not for beginners, but they offer a lighweight freestyle full carbon board and foil combo for $2200 plus postage. That's a steal. A good option probably if you loved mucking around on wake skates, skim boards, etc. As well as tricks / air, it looks pretty good in the surf too from his vids.
www.horue.fr/produits/h13/h13-lightweight-freestyle-foil
www.horue.fr/boards/caneri-pro-model
I have been looking at the manta for a while now but cannot find any reviews on how they ride
anyone have any feedback?
They look cool and modular upgradable which also is ticking some boxes for me.
Don't forget to allow a good 15 to 18% on top of the price for clearing customs.....
Also make sure that the free delivery doesn't exclude Australia. Taaroa currently advertise a free worldwide delivery for the Sword to 2 but ask for an extra $150 to deliver in Oz....
Having recently received a foil and board I can tell you that customs charges are... 10%GST plus 5% import duty plus $52 customs N3.Charged on value of goods and shipping (totaling $318 in my case). Also allow 5-7% for currency conversion and bank/PayPal charges.The Sroka site prices are inclusive 20% TVA (French for VAT) but exports to countries outside of the EU are exempt from this tax. Bruno will adjust the price accordingly.
You'll save 20% on Sroka site prices but get slugged with at least that or more by the time its all tallied up.
Thanks guys that's good info about taxes & charges.
I was reading a few comments last night that there's a few more interesting cheap/hybrid foils due to hit the market in May & June, have been spotted testing etc.
I didn't see a foil section - but by all means mods feel free to add one.
You don't like foils, got that from your prev deleted comment.
Here's some nice surf foiling
Thanks for starting this thread. It is interesting and I had wondered about a kite foil board in the surf.
The hurue vid's have all been great so far in showing the utility of the foil.
Here's my 2c worth and for newbies.
Im on a foil fish I've had 5 sessions so far at the moment,I now launch like a twintip and can foil short distances.
Im still bunny hopping but can control it better now still crash but can sort of control those,the biggest tip for someone starting out
would be get on the front foot straight away ,lighten the back foot lean forward and bend ur front foot.
l try to foil on flat water for me that's St Kilda kite breach but now I'm starting to get out from my home beach Bonbeach.
so now I have to get used to choppy water it's not bad when it's a southerly blowing sort of flattens it out a bit but u still have chop.
For me the foil fish is a great board to learn on and it's a solid rig and I think they are going to have interchangeable foils soon to be released.
Hope this helps,foiling is a challenge for sure can't wait to start gybing and tacking.
cheers
I've chased up Alpinefoil about pricing, just out of interest. They can do their Aluminium / carbon fibre foil on a RV-X4 board for $2240 delivered - pretty good price I reckon for carbon fibre product. Plus import taxes.
This board
And this foil
They look pretty fast - full carbon model in video hitting 28kts in 12kt gust..
Zeeko has Foil+board combo on sale for $1740 (ex vat) plus shipping/tax. Looks like last year's model, from the guys that have gone on to TheKiteFoil.
That's for a full carbon hydrofoil! Short mast version (80cm) and a board which might be a bit ordinary, not a custom designed foil board anyway.
http://zeeko-kites.com/gb/home/274-packfoilpocket2015shortmast.html
Also just out of interest,why is the film of the alpinefoil which should be same as purchased version,blacked out under the water
so we can't see it??
My bad on the alpinefoil film - it's just one of theirs I was looking at. It's the full carbon race wing 'HLD' not the beginnner 'access / XLP' wing.
these ones have the XLP wing I believe
OMG! A liquid Force foil is advertised online in NZ for $2300 ($2,299.99 - oh pulease) Even worse! I watch people on them and have half heartedly considered trying one but now that I know the cost of them I'll stick to my ex-demo twin tips.
$2200 is not bad when you consider how much work goes into making a carbon foil. A bit steep for aluminium, but you will pay up to $1200 for a twin tip worth $50 to manufacture in a press. They pop them out like pop tarts
Wasn't meant to be read verbatim. Just trying to get a point across. However the prices in some shops are outrageous. If you're so upset about it give us some production costs on your Axis boards.
Regards
knitter