thuffam forum posts in last 60 days

From what I've observed, FDs are super popular and mostly used for people "mowing the lawn" back and forth spending more time under assist than using ocean energy (ie using them more as efoils). Where as the people wanting surf performance (more time using wave energy and carving) use the smaller setups (Duotone, Amp, FD Slim, etc) where they are genuinely using it as an assist to get up and occasionally zooming out back out - but not exclusely as this wastes battery (some back/waist pack guys paddle back out to the line up).
And its interesting to see what people want.. FD released the fusion as more people prefer efoil type up time. So obviously happy to compromise on weight.
Cant wait for battery tech to improve significantly..

Im stoked that we have people as motivated and super intelligent to bring these products to market.

Thanks guys - yep sounds perfect.. as does a bunch of his gear (surf foils, masts and titanium fuse!)

Thanks Piros
Interesing. Just mentioned this to my son and he said absolutely.. he would much rather use gear that he can stay up for longer than one that turns better (this is the guy who paddles into waves with the old PNG1310... no idea how he controls that beast).

He said his goal would definitely be to stay up for the whole session ... if he had the right gear. He said once he's nailed that, then he would look at foils that can turn better.

So you think the Code R 1250 would be the right size? Also what will be difference between these and their new dock start/pumping foils?

What is the technique for pumping super high AR foils?

Thanks again

Hi
I am after a foil/setup for my son who wants to maximise uptime connecting waves/bumps while prone surfing (beach break).. ideally for 30minutes or more.

Before you laugh... he is pretty good at pumping (he has done 2.5 minutes on a lake dock starting on an old v1 Axis PNG1310) and he is very fit .. but 90kgs lean as.

The PNGs are a dog in the waves and he recently tried my ART v2 999 which he loved but needs a few sessions to dial in the new technique required for pumping a high aspect foil.

Due to his weight and goals of 30min+ uptime I was looking at an ART v2 1099 but is there anything that would suit him better (Surge looks like it has potential and forgiving but is 1010 big enough)? Would consider switching brands if compelling enough reason.

Also.. we only have the 19mm aluminium masts and an old Short Black fuse with 375 and 425 Progressive tails.

Would love some input into what gear is going to help him blow past 30mins as he is super dedicated.

Thanks

Select to expand quote

mattllew said..
How handy are you? It's not that hard to make one like flow custom. All the info is on foil.zone The parts for flow custom are all on ali express and the box they use is sold by camdenboss

Absolutely. I built a waist mount system using all off the shelf components. Cost about $1k. And i think you could build one in a few days.
All you need to know is how to solder (which you can learn in 10 minutes).
The beauty of doing this is you can fix and mod everything. I'm already planning v2.
There is a huge global community of people doing this.

Wow.. i managed to get that 999 flying properly today.. on a low tide with some better runners coming into Mooloolaba.. so much fun.

Using a longer mast (82cm) certainly helps as it gives more room to move.

Yes i definitely need to get a smaller stab.
Should i go for a Progressive 375 or a Skinny (if so what size?)

And at what point does one move to the advance plus fuse (Axis).. the one with mast closer to the front wing.

Thanks again

Just tried it at Mooloolaba on the flat with small bumps . Not sure why people say the ARTs are hard.. I found it almost identical to my old BSC890. In fact I didn't notice much difference between the two other than the 999 turns better and is much easier to balance (which is also opposite to what I've read - weird). Also it uses the same amount, if not more battery than the BSC (when cruising at speed) - also opposite to what it should do??
So I suspect this is more of a user problem.
Any suggestions to technique. For example while I could catch the bumps ( that were only a couple feet high) I couldnt keep up with them when on foil (no motor).
I added a little negative tail shim that improved it a little.
I suspect most battery used while motoring around - and not sure if I was doing this today but the other day someone said I had the nose pointing too high.
Using old Short Black fuses and 425 progressive tail and 75cm 19mm aluminium mast. Motor at 20cm
Thanks

Thanks again everyone - some really good advice - very much appreciated.

I've just picked up a ART v2 999 locally (wow talk about streamlined!) - this will at least get me where I want to right now. Then I can progress with a different tail, then move to an advanced fuse etc... then probably go with a smaller Surge down the track when I get more dialled in. This path also makes sense financially.

@Piros.. you must be living the dream trying out all that new gear!

Oh, what tail should I get for the 999? I have a 425 Progressive which will prob do for now.. but I suspect this is too big. I'm still new to this.. so nothing too radical.

Thanks all for your feedback. Much appreciated.
I think i really need to get a couple front foils.. one for gliding on the mellow bumps at mooloolaba and another for surf on the open beach and at CottonTree.
But chatting with guys riding Armstrong they seem to find the HA suprisongly good all-rounder with great glide.
And likewise guys riding Codes seem to find the S series similar but more carvey and a bit less glidey and interestingly dont feel the need for the X (to be fair only chatted to a couple guys).

At what point in ones progression do you size down?
Someone today suggested, once you're good, that a ballpark figure is going for (modern) foils with a cm2 of 10x your weight. At the moment my old BSC890 tends to want to throw me off when speed picks up going down a face (prob due to 1290cm2 and my lack of skill) - but i am finding it easier when going faster.
Its so hard to know which way to go as so many oppinions out there.. and so much good gear.

What mast length is recommended for foil assist?
Thanks again.

Ive started riding a foil assist (a home made version of the Duotone waist setup) and have been using my old Axis gear. Mostly a PNG1150 & Progressive 400 tail, but now I'm starting to ride waves (the bumps at Mooloolaba) and find the PNG turns like a brick . So after a next progression and ideally looking to ride in the surf (non breakng). Any recommendations. I am after something that can extend the session.. so god glide and pump but can also curve (more mellow carving.. nothing too full on). Any recommendations?

I spoke to a bloke who loves his Armstrong HA980 and finds is carves really well and pumps great. He thought the MA's didn't pump (and glide) nearly as well.
So looked up the nearest equivalent from Axis looks like the ART v2 999. Looks like a good option.

Also I'm on an old aluminium mast... so now wondering if i am to move to a carbon mast should i move over to Armstrong or Code while at it???

Might be a religious debate. But interested to hear others thoughts.
Thanks
Tim

This looked so good I decided to build my own (with a lot of help from the folks on foil.zone) for 1/10th the price (using mostly off the shelf components and a few 3D printed parts). Works a treat. I've tried FD #1 and #2 and prefer the weight off the board (to be fair I am new to this). On a 12S2P (44.4v/8400mAh) I get 30 minutes of *continuous* motor time in a session (with my uncoordinated riding skills).
I reckon waist style setup is the way to go. No you don't sink (my belt/harness is a webbing weight lifting belt with a little padding).

Just an FYI to let people know that if you use a lockbox that is attached to your vehicle - that you are not covered by insurance (for theft and damage).
I just spoke to Youi who confirmed this and spoke to a guy who confirmed it with Budget Direct.

The wording in the PDS says you are not covered if the key is in or near the vehicle. I previously thought this was omitted because in one of the initial paragraphs is states that you must take due care to prevent any theft or damage. The updated PDS (2 July 2025) now explicitly mentions lock boxes in or near the vehicle are not covered (the PDS on my policy, dated 4 July 2024, does not explicitly mention lock boxes).

I live on the Sunshine coast and see lock boxes on vehicles every day.. so it would be great to spread the word. I will repost this on some of the other forums too.

I will resort to getting a waterproof pouch to take my key with me - or leave it on the beach (apparently your car is covered in this scenario) - go figure!).