I have the Slingshot foil gear with plate setup on the mast and would like to adapt it to a surfboard.
Any advice how to would be appreciated.

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warwickl said..
I have the Slingshot foil gear with plate setup on the mast and would like to adapt it to a surfboard.
Any advice how to would be appreciated.

You can go with mast tracks/US fin box (like on slingshot boards)or inserts.

Inserts are easier to do, even more if you just want to bolt the foil through the board. Put 4 holes though the board then you can use off cuts of carbon SUP paddle shaft that you will fill out with resin then drill again to fit your bolts.

With the tracks I would always make a box with PVC foam rather than putting them straight onto the EPS/PU blank. That is a fair bit of work though... Not sure if it is overkill but I rather be safe than having the foil detaching from the board...


Are you doing it yourself or are you going to get it done by a pro?

Diy, have some experience but not a perfectionist

Check out houstonkiteboarding.com
$156 USD for a stick on adapter plate. Plenty of youtube videos on the product and how to place it. I'm thinking about one for myself for my SUP.

I was unable to get hold on a short mast for low tide lake foiling in Australia and came across them. Parts delivered within 7 working days - very helpful with questions as well + great selection of youtube videos.


Scott

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spartacus said..
Check out houstonkiteboarding.com
$156 USD for a stick on adapter plate. Plenty of youtube videos on the product and how to place it. I'm thinking about one for myself for my SUP.

Problem is that you can't use your surfboard for surfing once you have that thing sticking out.... @$156 + delivery, you'd better off pay a local shaper to adapt tracks on your board. Just saying....

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spartacus said..
Check out houstonkiteboarding.com
$156 USD for a stick on adapter plate. Plenty of youtube videos on the product and how to place it. I'm thinking about one for myself for my SUP.

I was unable to get hold on a short mast for low tide lake foiling in Australia and came across them. Parts delivered within 7 working days - very helpful with questions as well + great selection of youtube videos.


Scott

+1 for Houston Kiteboarding. Really helpful guys and like Spartacus says, their foiling vids provide a great resource for rookie foilers. Those stick on plates are meant to work well - just don't know if I could relax knowing my pride and joy was held on with 2 sided tape.

It's straightforward and I know if 2 people who've now done this.

Buy 2x 12" US boxes from surf supplier and core cell high density hard foam

Make a solid cube from core cell and US tracks, and glue the whole thing into your board. Do not just insert the tracks by themselves - it won't be strong enough.

Glass and sand over the top and you are done.

Here is a pic showing the foil tracks in the core cell box, about to be mounted to a sup. It's fairly self explanatory.

If you don't need to adjust the foil position then simply drill 4 holes, insert stainless nuts, with suitable reinforcement and lots of epoxy. Go foiling. Old mate did this and it works fine.

kitefoil.forumactif.org/t1781-pose-d-inserts-dans-la-planche-pour-foil-avec-embase

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Gorgo said..
.....suitable reinforcement .....

I think this is the difficult bit. I've seen a foil rip US Boxes straight of out of a commercially built foil board - straight through the carbon / glass skin, and then sink. On a solid board like a Shinnster or Alaia fair enuff, but what about a volume board ? How would you reinforce 4x stainless lugs thru a surfboards so this doesn't happen ? I suppose you could put a plate on top and bottom.

Several board makers make a surfboard with the adapter already inside - a hybrid. Just can't remember who right now as I type this.

Good suggestions on doing it right above. If you want to do it semi half ass and cheap, here's what I did.

Get carbon shaft golf club from thrift store. Cut chunks to exact depth of surfboard from deck to bottom.
Drill hole in board the width of the shaft. Insert shaft and fill on outside with epoxy to have it fit solid in the board and watertight. [pro tip: before it dries, place mast plate on top, put bolts through, so that it forms up exactly right]

If you want to ensure whole thing is watertight, could put in layer of glass over top, then drill through for the holes.

The carbon shaft should provide compression strength....so the bolts don't crush the board when you tighten them.
I finished it off with two plastic plates....cut up pieces of cutting board. I figure this helps spread load of the mast plate, and also gave something to drill into to countersink the bolt tops.

A couple extra notes: a problem with golf club is that it's tapered...so only right diameter for part of it (means need more than one club possibly) and also that it isn't straight in the hole, wider at top or bottom. If you find another straight piece of carbon, all the better....maybe a tent pole?

Now, if you want to do it right.....supposedly the best way is to find G10 rods, drill them in, glass over. Then drill your bolt holes in the G10. Basically the same as the paddle bits filled with epoxy, recommended above.