G'day just after some thoughts on whether I should drop board size or buy a bigger wing ? Currently riding a 7'11 x32 x168 ltrs ONE in the pvc ( can't rate construction high enough ) with a NP glide large . I am at the stage where I am carving and pumping to get to the next section and was going to keep the board and buy the wing but the other half of my head says the glide large is doing its job so go shorter ( less weight and swing weight ) down to the 6'5 x 29x 127 litre board ? My 7'11 is super comfy and terrific in any chop but it's a lot of board and I feel it's not letting me get my longest flights even though I am working on pumping. So my choice is buy the new wing and have a board that's super stable in all conditions with the only downside's being weight and agility but with new wing hopefully easier pumping or buy the board for a bit more ( not much ) and stick with the wing that carries me perfectly and is great fun to ride but maybe compromise comfort and ease of getting onto waves ?
cheers for any advice ????
ps other option buy complete gofoil with 280 wing again for around the same price cheers

Change the board.

7'11" to 6'5" will be a total game changer once on the foil.

For downwind or surf? I am still progressing too (somewhere on day 60) so I am sure more expert-level foilers will chime in but for what it is worth, I say board. I am 85kgs and use the IWA and M200 in the surf. Even with the big wing, unless the waves had enough power or I really worked it, I wasn't getting enough lift to get the long rides. After watching a number of my rides one smaller day, a friend in the surf told me I really needed to downsize boards from my 7'4x30x105L slate-style surf shape to a smaller dedicated foil shape. I bit the bullet and downsized to a 6'0x28x115L and it has been a game changer--even with the IWA wing I can get more than enough lift--in fact the first time I took the board out with my big wing I launched myself completely out of the water! Took me a little while to find the foot positioning but I am back to using the M200 in smaller conditions and IWA if there is more consequence and lift is no longer an issue.

Yes your 7-11 is a huge foil board , dropping down will just make everything easier with more speed.

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805StandUp said..
For downwind or surf? I am still progressing too (somewhere on day 60) so I am sure more expert-level foilers will chime in but for what it is worth, I say board. I am 85kgs and use the IWA and M200 in the surf. Even with the big wing, unless the waves had enough power or I really worked it, I wasn't getting enough lift to get the long rides. After watching a number of my rides one smaller day, a friend in the surf told me I really needed to downsize boards from my 7'4x30x105L slate-style surf shape to a smaller dedicated foil shape. I bit the bullet and downsized to a 6'0x28x115L and it has been a game changer--even with the IWA wing I can get more than enough lift--in fact the first time I took the board out with my big wing I launched myself completely out of the water! Took me a little while to find the foot positioning but I am back to using the M200 in smaller conditions and IWA if there is more consequence and lift is no longer an issue.

Surf still at the moment but trying to link into the river mouth for 800 meter rides then ocean . I am finding ( unfortunately backhand ) trying to link onto waves to follow them into the river mouth I am failing to get enough speed pump going I am blaming the board length at the moment and maybe I am just rushing my progress and wanting more then my skills can offer . I fell for the shorter sup surf fad and was disappointed but the foil is a different beast as you know it's secondary to the experience. I see the board as a aircraft carrier on which to launch the foil a bit dicky I know but the best explanation I have ? back to skill outweighing desire ,6'5 sounds completely undoable to me ( even though 127 litres is what I surf sup ) so my question would be how did you find the stability comparison ( any advice appreciated ) ie chop, current ,generally cheers

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colas said..
Change the board.

7'11" to 6'5" will be a total game changer once on the foil.

Yes indeed , but will I suffer the loss of enjoyment through struggle to stay upright to reach liftoff ? Only I can really answer that and progress is what I am looking for cheers colas

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Krist said..

805StandUp said..
For downwind or surf? I am still progressing too (somewhere on day 60) so I am sure more expert-level foilers will chime in but for what it is worth, I say board. I am 85kgs and use the IWA and M200 in the surf. Even with the big wing, unless the waves had enough power or I really worked it, I wasn't getting enough lift to get the long rides. After watching a number of my rides one smaller day, a friend in the surf told me I really needed to downsize boards from my 7'4x30x105L slate-style surf shape to a smaller dedicated foil shape. I bit the bullet and downsized to a 6'0x28x115L and it has been a game changer--even with the IWA wing I can get more than enough lift--in fact the first time I took the board out with my big wing I launched myself completely out of the water! Took me a little while to find the foot positioning but I am back to using the M200 in smaller conditions and IWA if there is more consequence and lift is no longer an issue.

Surf still at the moment but trying to link into the river mouth for 800 meter rides then ocean . I am finding ( unfortunately backhand ) trying to link onto waves to follow them into the river mouth I am failing to get enough speed pump going I am blaming the board length at the moment and maybe I am just rushing my progress and wanting more then my skills can offer . I fell for the shorter sup surf fad and was disappointed but the foil is a different beast as you know it's secondary to the experience. I see the board as a aircraft carrier on which to launch the foil a bit dicky I know but the best explanation I have ? back to skill outweighing desire ,6'5 sounds completely undoable to me ( even though 127 litres is what I surf sup ) so my question would be how did you find the stability comparison ( any advice appreciated ) ie chop, current ,generally cheers

Shortest is best. At 105kg I have ridden a 6 8 x 27 @ 120l and it was doable. Have ordered a 6 8 x 29 @ 130l. I find my 6 10 x 31 @ 130 huge, touvhdown front, back and sides and that kills the glide. Pilot error a major factor.
Main difference I noticed on smaller boards was the control and extra pumping ability. Saying that there is a certain amount of skill needed to stay on runners through flat sections so technique may be a factor too. Stay high on the swell and turn back and forth as well as pump.

I went from a 7.0 x 28 115L sup foil board. to 6.8 x 26 96L. At first I struggle a lot but soon got into the size, also it helped me to catch the waves I wouldn't have a chance to get going on (Well my skill level ) . Sure it is easier to paddle around on a larger surface / volume board but you want to get going up on the foil and then you will benefit from the smaller lighter board. Only you know your level and eventually you will have the skill level for the smaller one.
Good luck

Definitely just go down to the smaller board...The foil gives you so much stability that you can afford to go short.... I'm 6'1 & 80kg & riding a 5'11 sup foil board so 6'5" would be perfect...Actually I just listed my 6'5" on Seabreeze & it would be perfect....

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Krist said..
Yes indeed , but will I suffer the loss of enjoyment through struggle to stay upright to reach liftoff ? Only I can really answer that and progress is what I am looking for cheers colas

The only tricky part may be mastering the row effect, especially if you are not familiar with very short SUPs. Otherwise the square outline is quite stable.

But modern dedicated foil boards have surprisingly low row by design for their size. And you can always add a fin box under the front foot like Dave Kalama does to help with the row.

My 5'11 or 6'5 don't "row" at all.... Between the foil, the bevelled rails & flat bottom the JL's track straight really well... The only thing with going really short is you will just have a slow paddle back out after a really long wave if you can't pump back out yet..

Yep another vote for smaller board.
At 90kg, I'm happy with my 6'8 x 28 108ltr One.
The size and style of the wing makes a big difference to stability as well.
I was using a GF 200 exclusively at first but now mainly using the much smaller area 900 Axis.
I found it a lot more unstable when I went to the smaller wing at first but it's not a problem now.
I think the extra area and volume of the big GF wing made it feel like the board had more volume.

SOLD !!! Thanks everyone and Seabreeze for the feedback I am sure I will have days where it's a mess but once that board lifts it doesn't matter does it . Hilly I am also over the 100 mark and it is progressing to the linkups but I also think the smaller board will help with that . Cheers again for everyone's help

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anders884 said..
I went from a 7.0 x 28 115L sup foil board. to 6.8 x 26 96L. At first I struggle a lot but soon got into the size, also it helped me to catch the waves I wouldn't have a chance to get going on (Well my skill level ) . Sure it is easier to paddle around on a larger surface / volume board but you want to get going up on the foil and then you will benefit from the smaller lighter board. Only you know your level and eventually you will have the skill level for the smaller one.
Good luck

Thanks , when you say it " helped you catch the waves " how so ? As in being able to get a little kick in to lift the foil ? Because I am finding I am getting into the waves very easily on the bigger board ( conditions maybe completely different) even in 1' mush or a fatter bump I'm finding the bigger floatier board a advantage in this sense would love to hear your feedback cheers

One more into the mix , it's day 11 but I am having long flight's and doing some wave pumping over gutters to the reforming wave . I could hold onto the bigger board but it's just more to manage in the air and more edges to keep of the water as hilly says cheers

I would say go to the smaller board. But also depends on your weight & height. Sounds like your ability is good.
I would keep the bigger board too for the days when its choppy & swirly.
For me at 80kgs I struggle at an entrance to the sea on my 6ft 8" x 26 at 96litre volume. But great off a normal beach in calm conditions.
But love my 7ft x 31.5 at 115 litre volume board in choppy conditions. And it is my main go to board.
So if I was going to have just one board only then it would be between both in only width & volume. The length would be at the shorter 6ft 8" or less to 6ft 5" So 6ft 5" x 29" wide at 110 volume.

For you at over 100kgs maybe the width at 31" and volume around 130 litres at 7ft long would be my guess. For only one board.

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Seajuice said..
I would say go to the smaller board. But also depends on your weight & height. Sounds like your ability is good.
I would keep the bigger board too for the days when its choppy & swirly.
For me at 80kgs I struggle at an entrance to the sea on my 6ft 8" x 26 at 96litre volume. But great off a normal beach in calm conditions.
But love my 7ft x 31.5 at 115 litre volume board in choppy conditions. And it is my main go to board.
So if I was going to have just one board only then it would be between both in only width & volume. The length would be at the shorter 6ft 8" or less to 6ft 5" So 6ft 5" x 29" wide at 110 volume.

For you at over 100kgs maybe the width at 31" and volume around 130 litres at 7ft long would be my guess. For only one board.

Thanks Juice , this is my dilemma. I am 6'3 ( I have been selling myself short for years ) 101 kg , I have owned a speed 9'2 x29 x130 and it was always a bit of work ( domed deck didn't help ) but fantastic on a wave I also had a wide point for a week demo that was 8'10x32 x130 litres and I am pretty sure I found that more stable ; SO as sad as it sounds I am a one board family at the moment for the foreseeable future and my best opportunity is ONE's fantastic trade in deal where I swap mine out for half price of the new board and the 6'5x29x127 is the closest I can get . Yes i agree totally with you I need about 7x130x30 to 32 but I do like the ONES moulded pvc construction it's as tough as a drainpipe actually tougher hahaha so ummming and ahhhing about it all . Cheers

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Krist said..

Seajuice said..
I would say go to the smaller board. But also depends on your weight & height. Sounds like your ability is good.
I would keep the bigger board too for the days when its choppy & swirly.
For me at 80kgs I struggle at an entrance to the sea on my 6ft 8" x 26 at 96litre volume. But great off a normal beach in calm conditions.
But love my 7ft x 31.5 at 115 litre volume board in choppy conditions. And it is my main go to board.
So if I was going to have just one board only then it would be between both in only width & volume. The length would be at the shorter 6ft 8" or less to 6ft 5" So 6ft 5" x 29" wide at 110 volume.

For you at over 100kgs maybe the width at 31" and volume around 130 litres at 7ft long would be my guess. For only one board.

Thanks Juice , this is my dilemma. I am 6'3 ( I have been selling myself short for years ) 101 kg , I have owned a speed 9'2 x29 x130 and it was always a bit of work ( domed deck didn't help ) but fantastic on a wave I also had a wide point for a week demo that was 8'10x32 x130 litres and I am pretty sure I found that more stable ; SO as sad as it sounds I am a one board family at the moment for the foreseeable future and my best opportunity is ONE's fantastic trade in deal where I swap mine out for half price of the new board and the 6'5x29x127 is the closest I can get . Yes i agree totally with you I need about 7x130x30 to 32 but I do like the ONES moulded pvc construction it's as tough as a drainpipe actually tougher hahaha so ummming and ahhhing about it all . Cheers

Sounds like a good offer from Jacko. A lot of it is technique so try to get a couple of lessons from the little fella as part of the deal.

Hilly, do you have your custom Smik yet?
I think I recall you ordering one?

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warwickl said..
Hilly, do you have your custom Smik yet?
I think I recall you ordering one?

Not yet but soon


Being painted now.

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hilly said..

warwickl said..
Hilly, do you have your custom Smik yet?
I think I recall you ordering one?

Not yet but soon


Being painted now.

I am interested as in August I will be after a nice light foil SUP.
I have Moses 790 wing (1535 sq cm) and 720 mast that should make a nice light weight combination .
Do know anyone in the Newcastle/Central Coast NSW area with a foil SUP Smik?
What are the specs of yours including tail width?
Thanks Warwick

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warwickl said..

hilly said..

warwickl said..
Hilly, do you have your custom Smik yet?
I think I recall you ordering one?

Not yet but soon


Being painted now.

I am interested as in August I will be after a nice light foil SUP.
I have Moses 790 wing (1535 sq cm) and 720 mast that should make a nice light weight combination .
Do know anyone in the Newcastle/Central Coast NSW area with a foil SUP Smik?
What are the specs of yours including tail width?
Thanks Warwick

Best to contact Scotty as he will know. smckercher181@gmail.com
Hoping for about 5kg but still strong.

Thanks again.
I have made contact and waiting to hear if anthing to look at locally.

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Krist said..

805StandUp said..

... back to skill outweighing desire ,6'5 sounds completely undoable to me ( even though 127 litres is what I surf sup ) so my question would be how did you find the stability comparison ( any advice appreciated ) ie chop, current ,generally cheers

Your mileage may vary but I found the stability roughly equivalent from my 7'4x30x105L Starboard Hypernut to 6'0x28x115L Kalama, The mast under the board acting as a keel makes the board super stable, as does the shape. Interestingly it did take one or two sessions to get used to the extra 10 liters but I like boards that sit at the water line as opposed to above and I felt like I had to get used to the slightly corkier feeling and still think I would have preferred around 100L. What took longer to get used to is the sheer amount of lift I got from the kicktail and 16" drop in length but once I figured out the front foot placement, it started to come together... initially felt like a total beginner again!