www.cloud9surffoils.com.au/ mfchawaii.com/surf/hydrofoils/ First thing to understand that this is not a review about which is better, rather, what the differences are and in identifying that, you may be able to decide which foil suits you better or which one interests you more. I will say I own both and have ridden both extensively and I am torn between them, but I will leave personal preferences until the end.
Specifications: Cloud IX F-32: Construction - carbon Wing Span: 32" / 81.28cmProjected Area:
175sq.in. / 1129cm2
MFC - 1400: Construction - carbon Weight: 1.10kg | Wingspan: 78cm 1400 cm2
Shape: Front Wing
Cloud IX: The F-32 is definitely a high aspect wing with the tips slightly curved making it the first real hybrid between Low and High Aspect. A very new "batwing" design which is remarkably efficient for its smaller surface area.
MFC: The 1400 has the dihedral low aspect shape, however, in saying that, the curve is slight and more of a higher aspect low aspect wing (if that makes sense). It definitely has a flatter overall shape than other non high aspect wings.
Tail: Both have a "curved" tail, at 225 cm2, the curve is slightly different with each but neither would be called flat. Check out the pics attached and the websites listed above for a more detailed view.
Shims: Cloud IX - no
MFC: Yes. Three shims come with the kit. Zero (white), 1.5mm (black) and 2.5mm (red)Shims are needed to adjust and control the Angle Of Attack (AOA) of the back wing. Shims help dictate the amount of lift we will achieve from the back wing. The bigger the AOA the most Lift we will have, the smaller the AOA the most speed you will achieve. These should be chosen in relation to the size of the front wing that is being used.
Mast: Cloud IX: The mast has a tapered construction, wider at the base and then tapers at the fuselage. 76 cm in length. Full carbon construction. Stiff.
MFC: the mast is uniform in width. 70 cm. Full carbon construction. Some degree of flex.
Fuselage: Cloud IX: Both front wing and tail are located on the same side. Construction is carbon.
MFC: Front wing and tail are mounted on opposite sides, allowing the shim to be applied and affect the angle of the rear wing. The position of the rear wing along the fuselage is fixed. The front wing attaches in a modular format, male and female parts and then screwed in once fully "inserted". I have struggled removing the wing from the fuselage as the fit is very tight. Even after applying a lubricant of sorts, it is tight, this is a good thing as you don't want movement here but perhaps a less tight fit so changing wings is not a struggle. Construction is carbon
Comment: The Cloud IX fuselage has additional holes for the tail wing to be mounted allowing you to "shorten" the fuselage length by moving the rear wing further forward. The shorter the fuselage, the tighter the turning capacity and the looser the foil will feel but the compromise is with stability and the pump. What you gain with being more manoeuvrable, you lose a little stability and ease of pump. The shorter fuselage requires a slightly quicker cadence with the pump than when the rear wing is at the very back.
Screws: Cloud IX: Stainless steel Torx size 40 (all). The various screws are different length and size, ie base screws are the longest and thickest and the tail screws smaller and thinner but they are all T-40 in size making it easier to have the one tool.
MFC: Stainless steel - Hex system. Base Hex size is larger than the screws for the mast and wings. 2 Hex sizes, so you need to carry 2 x Hex drivers.
Lift: In determining this, I mounted both foils in the same position on the board and foiled similar conditions on the same day. Approximately a dozen waves each. Bear in mind I rode the MFC for about 4 months straight and then the F-32 since it arrived, about 5-6 hours every day since the 9th of June. I am comfortable and very familiar with both.
Cloud IX: The F-32 has a more progressive lift, it feels very stable and controlled. I felt I could take steeper drops with this foil and not feel like it wants to launch (within reason). Once up on foil and riding, the lift is easy to maintain.
MFC: The 1400 has more lift on take off, not dramatic like a low aspect wing but more pronounced than the F-32. It was also easy to get up on foil and maintain.
The Feel (glide): Cloud IX: Very smooth and stable, effortless in flying along the wave, no sense of drag and doesn't feel like there is a limit to the speed, the bigger the wave or steeper, the faster it wants to go.
MFC: Also very smooth and stable but it feels a little "twitchier" than the F-32. No drag, and very fast, similar to the F-32. Both these wings feel smooth and glide without the sensation of drag and seem similar in speed capabilities.
Turning: Cloud IX: The F-32 feels great in turns, stable and fast, definitely glides and slices through the turn. This stays true to the company desire to create "surf" foils.
MFC: The 1400 feels more lively and this is where the term "twitchier" comes in. I feel like this foil and wing is more responsive and quicker to react. In that sense it may be a little less stable in the turn requiring more focus and control from the rider.
Comment: Both turn well and both are enjoyable to ride and link turns. After changing the MFC over, I caught a wave on the F-32 and cranked the best combination of turns I have done to date, super fast going right (I am a natural footer)and turning strongly in the pocket on the steeper section, banking back into the wave and then immediately turning sharply, nice and high on the steeper section of the wave. Continued acceleration through the turns and shooting back towards the right and flying down the line. When I got back out a friend said he could tell I was still on the MFC with the speed and tightness of the turns. F-32 I said and he couldn't believe it. So in saying that, both turn hard without doubt but the 1400 is definitely more lively in its feel and the F-32 has a more stable feel.
Flying: Cloud IX: The F-32 flies and glides easily, feels smooth and stable with very little effort to keep it up on foil. The longer mast is more forgiving even though it is only 6cm longer. More stable through white water and turbulence.
MFC: The 1400 is not dissimilar to the F-32 but has that lively feeling to it. The flex in the mast is noticeable when going through whitewash or turbulence, you can really feel the mast responding and initially it can be disconcerting until you get used to it and then you can describe it as feeling the shockers ride over bumps, you feel the movement but you absorb it in your legs.
The Pump: So here it is, the thing that everyone wants to know - how do they pump? I should say that I am not the greatest in pumping, it has been the most challenging part of my foiling, part of which I attribute to starting on the wrong equipment and having a smaller foil to begin with. I feel if I started on a larger foil, I would have eased into the pumping more readily and quickly.
Cloud IX: The pump on this is similar to a high aspect wing, keep it high and more of a "tap" than the full porpoise movement. Speed is critical coming off the wave and stay high on the foil. Three quick pumps in succession as you exit the wave and glide past the back of the wave before starting the pump. The wing is fast and allows you to keep building speed. When you get in the zone this wing feels great and has plenty of glide. Surprising pump for a wing with such a small surface area. This confirms its efficiency.
MFC: The 1400 has a more common low aspect type of pump, similar requirements coming off the wave, speed is king and stay high on the foil. It has a more porpoise like pump with a glide at the top so let the foil come up, glide for a second and then pump, if you can incorporate the pump, glide, pump action then you can feel this wing go with medium effort. The glide part is not as long and pronounced as with the Takuma wings, they have tremendous lift and glide.
Comment: I felt the F-32 was easier to pump overall and maybe it suited my style a bit more (?) Before I had the F-32 I really struggled with the pumping on the MFC and I think that was mostly due to technique, I just couldn't get the feel happening. After getting the F-32, I spent session after session kicking out early and just pumping. For about a week, 5-6 hours a day all I focused on was the pump. Then I hopped back on the MFC to see how I could pump it and I was more successful than previously. Once I had the feel, I felt I could adapt it more easily to the MFC. I do feel that coming off the wave with speed is more important on the MFC than the F-32. If you lose a little speed on the MFC you have to work considerably harder to keep it going and I find it easier to stall than the F-32.
Pricing: Cloud IX: The F-32 comes in at $2,850 AUD
MFC: The MFC is more expensive coming in at $3,799 AUD
Comment: It is hard to justify an additional $1,000 for the MFC, you have to ask, is it $1,000 better? That extra $1,000 can buy you another Cloud IX wing, an F-28 or an F-38. I also have the MFC 1250 wing so when you look at the combination of the 1250 and the 1400 wings, you are up for $5,400. That is a significant outlay and very hard to justify when the comparable competition is coming in at much lower pricing. Cloud IX with two wings is $3,850, about $1600 cheaper than a similar setup with the MFC.
Customer Service: I have had to deal with both companies in this area and I cannot fault either company. Both are eager and ready to help and attend to any issue you have. I spoke directly with Pio Murasco from MFC and the man could not have been more of a gentleman and eager to provide customer satisfaction. Karl Muggeridge from Cloud IX was equal to the task in attention and ensuring customer satisfaction. Regardless of where you go, you will be looked after.
Conclusion: Is there one? Both foils are very well constructed and works of art. The MFC looks very cool with colour tones, the carbon grain and the smooth lines. The F-32, no less a work of art, beautiful black sheen to the carbon grain, the aerodynamic look of the batwing and the overall sleek look. Both are very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, sleek, carbon finish, smooth lines and quality construction. If money is an issue then the Cloud IX is the winner. If money is no object, then it really comes down to personal preference and rider feel. Both foils are fast, sleek and turn readily at a drop of the hat, accelerating continually through the turns. The F-32 feels a little more stable underfoot and copes better with steeper drops, the MFC carries more lift on take off and has a livelier feel through turns. I would need to apply some GPS tracking to try and determine which foil is actually faster and that is always hard to determine as no two waves are the same. They fly smoothly and no sensation of drag. I cannot imagine anyone would be disappointed with whatever they choose.
@foil_surf
(Please note: i tried posting pics of the MFC but the format would not allow, i will try and change format and then update the post.)