Mark _australia said..
I really don't know that people are feeling what they think they are. We went from 3" thick and wide wingboards to 6" thick DW and it takes off early yes - but never heard anyone whine about thickness. They got so narrow they needed thickness.... still no whinges about the thickness. When we settled on 75cm ish mast I have not heard anyone say that an 80 completely ruins foiling for them
Olympic classes are on a 100-105 mast..... if you had to truly feel so connected to the foil, don't you think the guys spending $30K on gear and living the sport every second of their lives in the hope of being a medallist - would be wanting to be more connected too? Kite race foil have gone from boards that look like a coffee table to skinny ML boards too. Thick ones. The best kite foil racer is see is on a very thick 19" wide ML.
Do what feels right for you, and all for innovation but some of this 20mm closer to the foil thing is a little silly. IMHO. Emperor's New Clothes ......
It could be my offset stance, but there is a distinct difference in stability between a thick board and thin one that has nothing to do with distance from the foil.
I've tried to draw it out to understand and just can't. Possibly someone who rides with feet perfectly aligned on centerline wouldn't notice it.
I also notice thickness when taxiing in chop but obviously that's something I try to avoid.
