Select to expand quotedachopper said...
So finished my $200 carbon foil setup, and bodged together the smallest board I thought would work.
The whole process was a bit if an experiment with filament winders, wood mandrels, hollow carbon tubes. Expanding foam and plywood.
Wingspan 40cm, chord 15cm. Great maneuverability, pivots on the spot due to larger chord. Going to make some winglets during the week, and see if they add much. Rammed the bottom a few times, and everything held which was good ! Rail shape slices through chop ok, I was able to stay up without footsteps. Feels like a faster foil, but the shape has more drag than most fast foils, meaning you have to ask for death speed, rather than it giving itself to you with wrong kite placement.
Have plans to make a production type mast and fuselage, which will shrink the width to under say 12 mm for the mast, and 15-20 width for the fuselage, although 12-15 would be do-able also.
My mate who has never foiled before had a crack, and some nice little 20-30 meter seshes, before ventilation of the main foil.
Think I can do something special with the mast, that will benefit shallow water starts too :)
Looks great, I see you gave into some pre woven fabrics tho.. Is the mast just glued to the fuselage and top plate or is that just a sorta bog radius..
Looks good choppa... looks like most things I make - never gonna win a beauty contest but work ok and cheap. Your construction method could be pretty exciting for other home builders.
I've seen this thing around... looks pretty scary to me. Early foils (randle, carafino) had boots but they dropped them once they got stable.. 
The more I see of Greg Drexler the more I think he's onto something. He's always having so much fun in his vids, that's the biggest thing that comes through. The other amazing thing in this one is how they're both rocking the 3.5m Cloud in winds that aren't all that strong. Totally different experience to kite with a 3.5m I reckon. You can see it sit stable but then the speed & acceleration when he loops it to gybe or something is pretty amazing. This guy is pretty much slowly shaping a dream 2nd foil rig for me of strapless pocket board, low aspect foil, and small cloud kite.
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said..
Looks good choppa... looks like most things I make - never gonna win a beauty contest but work ok and cheap. Your construction method could be pretty exciting for other home builders.
I've seen this thing around... looks pretty scary to me. Early foils (randle, carafino) had boots but they dropped them once they got stable..
I assume you're following the thread at kiteforum...?
Had my very first session on the LF fish today. Confirm this is weird but also kind of cool. Been trying to keep the board down as much as possible to get used to it but did the occasional kangarooing despite all foot straps in the most forward position and trying to keep most of the weight on the front foot. But it lifts pretty quickly at low speed anyway. While I have my straps pretty loose a few times I felt nevertheless that I might not be able to kick the board off fast enough avoiding ankle injury.
So I'd prefer continuning strapless but everyone seems to suggest this will be way harder. So it is just the fact that straps will help angling the board just before water start? Grabbing the board by the rail and pushing down with the elbow may work also no? Or is it because straps will ensure that I place my feet in the correct spot while when strapless I may have them slightly off?
Finally, has anyone bought those French straps which come off when crashing? Are they any good and can they be purchased in Australia?
Thanks heaps
Ditch the straps Russ.....
I never started with them... Once you are riding you don't need them anyway.... It's just the water starts. I was riding my surfboard strapless to it was no issue for me. A bit of practice and you will have no problems at all.
As a bonus I have not had many if any nasty stacks at all being detached from the board when I fall I am pulled away from the foil.
I did get one or two shin scrapes though
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said..
The more I see of Greg Drexler the more I think he's onto something. He's always having so much fun in his vids, that's the biggest thing that comes through. The other amazing thing in this one is how they're both rocking the 3.5m Cloud in winds that aren't all that strong. Totally different experience to kite with a 3.5m I reckon. You can see it sit stable but then the speed & acceleration when he loops it to gybe or something is pretty amazing. This guy is pretty much slowly shaping a dream 2nd foil rig for me of strapless pocket board, low aspect foil, and small cloud kite.
that's what I am shooting for myself. The board I shaped is similar and I have the same Stringfellow foil. That little 3.5 Cloud is pretty wicked. I think I am going to start using a 6 Cat as opposed to the 8 and 10 Reo as I am getting more efficient with less kite. Greg does make it look fun and easy, though we know that's not the case right away.
Select to expand quoteRussKraut said..
Had my very first session on the LF fish today. Confirm this is weird but also kind of cool. Been trying to keep the board down as much as possible to get used to it but did the occasional kangarooing despite all foot straps in the most forward position and trying to keep most of the weight on the front foot. But it lifts pretty quickly at low speed anyway. While I have my straps pretty loose a few times I felt nevertheless that I might not be able to kick the board off fast enough avoiding ankle injury.
So I'd prefer continuning strapless but everyone seems to suggest this will be way harder. So it is just the fact that straps will help angling the board just before water start? Grabbing the board by the rail and pushing down with the elbow may work also no? Or is it because straps will ensure that I place my feet in the correct spot while when strapless I may have them slightly off?
Finally, has anyone bought those French straps which come off when crashing? Are they any good and can they be purchased in Australia?
Thanks heaps
It helps if you have your front hand on the bar, and then use the back had to pull the foil out of the water while you get your feet on the board. Have the kite slightly on the side of the window in which you are going so there is a little pull for you to stick your feet on the board. Put front foot against the board first, then you can use your knee to push the tail away keeping the board pointed up wind, then plant your back foot. As long as there is a little pull from the kite you can keep the board in position to start. If the board starts to point down wind stop and start again. No use trying to salvage a bad start... In one session you will have it dialed in. Without the straps you can easily get away from the board from the inevitable stacks that are coming your way.
Thanks guys. Will try strapless. This is also how I learned on a sb and it was heaps better, also for gybing, tacking etc. But I understand learning foiling is a bit more difficult so did not want to waste too much precious time. But I like my ankles and knees the way they are and already avoiding hitting the foil is hard enough when crashing 
so it will be good to just leave the board smoothly. Bit of an effort getting the board in the right angled position but will try the technique dafish, thanks a lot!
At least ditch the back strap. I haven't and occasionally tweak that foot... But I want to jump the foil, so don't want to lose it.
Russ just to offer an alternative view I found strapless too hard to start, personally, and kinda wasted a session or two. Much prefer with straps. The key if you go straps is to make them super loose. Then start over again and loosen then even further, even when it feels like they won't go any further. I *thought* I had mine loose and I did catch a foot and lightly stretch ankle on a stack. Since them I've loosened them twice over and now they're ridiculously loose, don't think I'll ever catch in them but it's enough to make water starts much easier.
I must be the worst foil learner out there... months between sessions so I can't string any progress along. So far I've had every random noob error that I haven't done in 10 years come back to bite me too, quick release set off by board while water starting, chicken finger failure leading to accidental loop release, hindenburging kite trying dodgy spots with holey wind, crashing kite from big stacks (mostly from forgetting to keep weight forward, launching foil up and me rolling over the back). I've also wasted a lot of precious time in spots that were too shallow.
On a positive note I'm pretty good with water handling, body dragging in swell with foil, and water starts. I'm starting to get used to weight forward and ride flatter - with no directional experience it's a whole new world of muscle memory. I've got 2 weeks off soon while rest of family is busy - 6 possible foil days. Hoping to get out most of them and make some progress finally.
Select to expand quoteFreeRyder said..
However sharp and stylish your blades are its still just cutting grass.
... so?
Cheers Dave. Tried the technique dafish recommended. It was very light so it was hard to apply this technique as there was not much pull from the kite but then I got a hang of it and got up a few times. Definitely heaps harder than with straps but may be well worth it in the long run. Now that I was able to come off clean without twisting my ankles I managed to crash onto the board or foil, not sure, luckily on my glutes and not bones. I can see why impact vest and helmet are recommended . Fun times
Select to expand quotecoxy31 said..dachopper said...
So finished my $200 carbon foil setup, and bodged together the smallest board I thought would work.
The whole process was a bit if an experiment with filament winders, wood mandrels, hollow carbon tubes. Expanding foam and plywood.
Wingspan 40cm, chord 15cm. Great maneuverability, pivots on the spot due to larger chord. Going to make some winglets during the week, and see if they add much. Rammed the bottom a few times, and everything held which was good ! Rail shape slices through chop ok, I was able to stay up without footsteps. Feels like a faster foil, but the shape has more drag than most fast foils, meaning you have to ask for death speed, rather than it giving itself to you with wrong kite placement.
Have plans to make a production type mast and fuselage, which will shrink the width to under say 12 mm for the mast, and 15-20 width for the fuselage, although 12-15 would be do-able also.
My mate who has never foiled before had a crack, and some nice little 20-30 meter seshes, before ventilation of the main foil.
Think I can do something special with the mast, that will benefit shallow water starts too :)
Looks great, I see you gave into some pre woven fabrics tho.. Is the mast just glued to the fuselage and top plate or is that just a sorta bog radius..
It's got to be the best / only Hydrofoil made in the middle east :)
The board was a complete afterthought, and really just a method to test the way that I attached the Foil parts together.
You would be amused at the lack of resources over here. But all I had laying around was carbon weave and wood sealing resin- so the board has some weave on it, and the rear stab, but that's all - everything else is filament wound.
I used a structural mix with filler, and then I used a just a different THIXOTROPIC epoxy on another bit to see the difference. The latter getting the job done fine.
So - I think filament winding is most beneficial for the mast and the fuselage, and if you have a non tapering foils.
We have the stuff we need now to make a proper mandrel, with the right glue.
and we will shrink the fuselage down to match the mast, and taper at the rear
In the time being, taking the foil out again on Friday to see if I can foil gybe, tack and try getting to VNE.
Nice one! Any tips on tacking? Still struggling with that. Can gybe and ride toeside but am struggling with the switch. Would like to be able to learn the duck tack. I suck at it badly.
Select to expand quoteRAL INN said..
I'm an expert at the duckdive tack.
Would that do?
:)
Ok. I have read through the 20 pages Very informative but still have questions if anyone can help. From what i gather the opinion seems to be zeeko or alpine best value for quality beginner foil. Are they difficult to order? How long to arrive to queensland? I see i can buy cabrinha double agent and lf foilfish just about immediately. Is it really worth the hassle and wait for the zeeko or alpine? Or would the double agent or foilfish do the job? I dont want great speeds or top end performance, just a bit of fun on light wind days. I see the double agent board does not have volume or noselift. I am about 95kg. Would this affect learning? Does the double agent actually perform in waves with the ordinary fins? I usually ride surfboards in surf, sometimes strapped, sometimes strapless so i am used to water starts with high volume board. Any input would be helpful. Thanks.
Select to expand quotecqclay said..
Ok. I have read through the 20 pages Very informative but still have questions if anyone can help. From what i gather the opinion seems to be zeeko or alpine best value for quality beginner foil. Are they difficult to order? How long to arrive to queensland? I see i can buy cabrinha double agent and lf foilfish just about immediately. Is it really worth the hassle and wait for the zeeko or alpine? Or would the double agent or foilfish do the job? I dont want great speeds or top end performance, just a bit of fun on light wind days. I see the double agent board does not have volume or noselift. I am about 95kg. Would this affect learning? Does the double agent actually perform in waves with the ordinary fins? I usually ride surfboards in surf, sometimes strapped, sometimes strapless so i am used to water starts with high volume board. Any input would be helpful. Thanks.
I have the LF Fun Foil and I weigh more than you. I find the Foil Fish by itself to be a horrible thing to ride, so if you're planning on utilizing the dual-function and surfing it, you might want to try it first. I'd like to try the Double Agent board...but I think I'd rather ride a proper surfboard. Newind has a split surfboard that a guy on kiteforum has converted to take a foil, and rates it highly. If you're after a travel board, something like that would cover the bases much better, IMO.
You'll notice the lack of volume, but you'll get better at water starts faster and it's motivation to control ride height :D
I agree the Foil Fish is a horrible board to ride (when not attached to the foil), but when you change gears and learn how to ride it, it can be outrageous fun. It sits beautifully in a small wave and rockets upwind. Good to jump. The fins are garbage (thats one of the things you have to get used to.)
As for learning to hydrofoil, I have learned (and still learning). Doing carving foil gybes and cruising up and downwind at great angles (until a "real" hydrofoil blasts past). It has served its purpose admirably.
Given that used Foil Fish are on the market around $1000-1200 you can't go wrong learning on one.
Select to expand quotecqclay said..
Ok. I have read through the 20 pages Very informative but still have questions if anyone can help. From what i gather the opinion seems to be zeeko or alpine best value for quality beginner foil. Are they difficult to order? How long to arrive to queensland? I see i can buy cabrinha double agent and lf foilfish just about immediately. Is it really worth the hassle and wait for the zeeko or alpine? Or would the double agent or foilfish do the job? I dont want great speeds or top end performance, just a bit of fun on light wind days. I see the double agent board does not have volume or noselift. I am about 95kg. Would this affect learning? Does the double agent actually perform in waves with the ordinary fins? I usually ride surfboards in surf, sometimes strapped, sometimes strapless so i am used to water starts with high volume board. Any input would be helpful. Thanks.
Sroka just released V2 of their foil. It has a titanium fuselage and carbon front and back wing along with other improvements and is only 90 Euros more than V1, which I have. The board has lots of volume and (unlike the Foil Fish) is designed to help beginners and beyond which I can confirm it does exceedingly well. The whole process of learning to foil with the Sroka rig was made as easy as I can imagine is possible due to design of the board and foil combination. The Sroka V2 looks awesome and is well worth consideration.
Zeeko foils are easy to order
Just pm me.
Takes about 3-4days sorting out paperwork then maybe 6 days to arrive.
Thanks for the replies fellas. I do travel a lot so one all round board would be ideal. The last couple of years i have just been using the board i surf with. 6'8" firewire (47 litres). Ride strapless or i have fitted my own straps i use sometimes. I usually just ride waves so i like it that the board has the same feel when paddle surfing or kite surfing. Do you think a "normal" surfing firewire board would handle the pressure of a foil. I would make a couple of plates for top and bottom to distribute pressure. I understand foiling is a different thing to surfing but one board for everything i do appeals to me. Would extra size, volume effect the foil riding due to wind resistance etc?
