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Will be interesting to see how Long & how skinny everybody is going to go this year:
Width is constrained to how narrow you can kneel comfortably without your knees falling off either side in offshore conditions. Probably about 18" for the average mid-life foiler. Unless you go from prone to drop-knee to standing 
A bit of concave and rail to rail grip makes the narrow board easier to kneel
Being riding a 7'8 X 16 for quite a while and really like it, can get a little tricky if really rough but it only takes 3 or 4 good strokes and you get up no worries. Just made a 8'4 X 17 X 100L X 4.3kg as well for the rougher days with bigger swells. The 7'8 worked so well we molded it and is now in full production.
Going under 16 I am sure is doable for some but they do get quite tippy so not really sure the reward is worth it.
7'8x16x105L
8'4 X 17 X 100L
What are people experiencing on the 9'+ club?
I made this board and it has been the dream catcher that I always wanted. I just got off the water catching 6- 8 foot waves 150 - 200 yards outside the whitewater. Catch the early slope then let the wave build under your feet and its off to the races.
I have found that 10 feet x 22.75" @ 153 liters is Fantastic for big ocean waves in Northern California during winter.
I made this one light 6.4 kg (14 lbs 1.8 oz). It excels in 3 foot wind chop, gets in early, 10-12 waves in and around Mavericks and I can stand on it 100% of the time. Aka no sitting and paddling or having to paddle on your knees. The breaks I surf are often 500 - 1000 yards from the beach. Or I may catch a ride for 3/4 - 1 mile and then paddle back which is much more civilized standing.
I must admit to a little scepticism about the sub 20in wide boards. Feels like it is being driven by the pro's. By this I mean a) they have the skills to balance on these narrow boards , and to get the power down when paddling and b) they are using smaller foil sizes which roll better . Most punters are using larger span foils so how are you going to get these larger foils to turn if you can't get your rear foot far enough across the board coz there ain't enough board width ??!!! When I read about 16in widths I just roll my eyes, tell myself " not relevant to you matey" and click on the next screen . Sorry, but it just feels like a technical cul de sac for the average rider.
