Will be interesting to see how Long & how skinny everybody is going to go this year:

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foilthegreats said..
Will be interesting to see how Long & how skinny everybody is going to go this year:

I went 8,8 by 18,5, it is still very stable, surfy and pump-able. I'm not sure if I will want to go under 18, because it will be very challenging in rough seas.

Stay tuned

Width is constrained to how narrow you can kneel comfortably without your knees falling off either side in offshore conditions. Probably about 18" for the average mid-life foiler. Unless you go from prone to drop-knee to standing

A bit of concave and rail to rail grip makes the narrow board easier to kneel

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cornwallis said..
Width is constrained to how narrow you can kneel comfortably without your knees falling off either side in offshore conditions. Probably about 18" for the average mid-life foiler. Unless you go from prone to drop-knee to standing

A bit of concave and rail to rail grip makes the narrow board easier to kneel

Nate van Vuuren said he tried an ultra-skinny in Maui a year or two ago and said he found the narrowness a problem to turn, if you like to move your backfoot away from centerline in turns - part of foot is simply off the side of the board! So there probably is a limit to what is practical.

Being riding a 7'8 X 16 for quite a while and really like it, can get a little tricky if really rough but it only takes 3 or 4 good strokes and you get up no worries. Just made a 8'4 X 17 X 100L X 4.3kg as well for the rougher days with bigger swells. The 7'8 worked so well we molded it and is now in full production.
Going under 16 I am sure is doable for some but they do get quite tippy so not really sure the reward is worth it.
7'8x16x105L





8'4 X 17 X 100L

What are people experiencing on the 9'+ club?

I made this board and it has been the dream catcher that I always wanted. I just got off the water catching 6- 8 foot waves 150 - 200 yards outside the whitewater. Catch the early slope then let the wave build under your feet and its off to the races.

I have found that 10 feet x 22.75" @ 153 liters is Fantastic for big ocean waves in Northern California during winter.

I made this one light 6.4 kg (14 lbs 1.8 oz). It excels in 3 foot wind chop, gets in early, 10-12 waves in and around Mavericks and I can stand on it 100% of the time. Aka no sitting and paddling or having to paddle on your knees. The breaks I surf are often 500 - 1000 yards from the beach. Or I may catch a ride for 3/4 - 1 mile and then paddle back which is much more civilized standing.

I must admit to a little scepticism about the sub 20in wide boards. Feels like it is being driven by the pro's. By this I mean a) they have the skills to balance on these narrow boards , and to get the power down when paddling and b) they are using smaller foil sizes which roll better . Most punters are using larger span foils so how are you going to get these larger foils to turn if you can't get your rear foot far enough across the board coz there ain't enough board width ??!!! When I read about 16in widths I just roll my eyes, tell myself " not relevant to you matey" and click on the next screen . Sorry, but it just feels like a technical cul de sac for the average rider.

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mikesids said..
I must admit to a little scepticism about the sub 20in wide boards. Feels like it is being driven by the pro's. By this I mean a) they have the skills to balance on these narrow boards , and to get the power down when paddling and b) they are using smaller foil sizes which roll better . Most punters are using larger span foils so how are you going to get these larger foils to turn if you can't get your rear foot far enough across the board coz there ain't enough board width ??!!! When I read about 16in widths I just roll my eyes, tell myself " not relevant to you matey" and click on the next screen . Sorry, but it just feels like a technical cul de sac for the average rider.

It's all comes down to spending time on the water and looking at ways to improve your balance. I'm 47 maybe 48 not quite sure but not exactly 20 anymore but I have always worked hard on the small things plus spent my time learning how to paddle. Small wings or big wings it doesn't really matter to me once on the foil it all works and balancing with a big or small foil doesn't really feel much different to me.

I agree that maybe there is to much focus on going to narrow and that can put people off for sure. You have to learn to walk before you can run and board size is the same. Ride 16 wide if you can but for many 20 or 22 might be of more benefit.

If you do downwinding right then you paddle out jump to your feet and 4 or 6 strokes later you are foiling and you don't come down again until you hit the beach, this is where a narrow board is no problems.
If you are paddling out and falling off then getting on foil for a few hundred metres then falling again then this is where narrow boards can suck and your legs will give out and a wider board will be way more benefit.

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mikesids said..When I read about 16in widths I just roll my eyes, tell myself " not relevant to you matey" and click on the next screen . Sorry, but it just feels like a technical cul de sac for the average rider.

yep

20 is very hard for an older sup pilot. 60+

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hilly said..

mikesids said..When I read about 16in widths I just roll my eyes, tell myself " not relevant to you matey" and click on the next screen . Sorry, but it just feels like a technical cul de sac for the average rider.

yep

20 is very hard for an older sup pilot. 60+

62yo, my board 2 seasons ago was 6'8 x 26 last season I went to 7'3 x 23, current custom board is 8' x 20inch wide and there feels like no difference on the difficulty to balance now than 2 years ago.
Happy with the board I have but if I was to design another one it would be around 8'6 x 18.
I have paddled sups for years though and have slowly stepped down.