Hello!
I open this topic just to ask you what is the best way to maintain under control my foil gear in 18-25 knots of wind.
My set is: Phantom 1m wide; Gunsails GSF 9.0; and starboard foil ( 95c mast, 115+fuse, 900 and 255 wings.)
My weight is 75 kg.. I put the mast base almost all the way forward, front strap forward, -2 shrim on the tail wing, sail flat...but is not enough.
I am thinking to buy the 725 front wing and see what happens..
What do you think??? Impressions?? Thanks in andvance!

Wow, I wouldn't like to be trying to hold down a 9m sail in a true 18-25kts on the fin, let alone foil and I'm 95kg!!
I suggest a smaller sail. I'd be on a 6m with 800/95+255 -2 in those winds, but I take it you're pushing for upwind performance, so not quite the same thing

I'm 80kg and on similar setup (F4 950cm2 or 850cm2 front wing, 210 rear and Phantom sails).
I can 'easily' hold a 10m sail to 18kts and with flat water up to 20kts upwind... if you can hold the sail in the right place, sheeted in along the centre line, commited to the harness etc with the harness lines far enough back on the boom so you get drive out of the gear, when overpowered head upwind at 45degrees is OK.

If you over-lay your upwind angle to the mark and have to sail at say 55% then it can get tricky.

Remember to sail the sail for smooth power, and trim the foil by railing the board to windward to cut lift and move the board back to horizontal to get more lift of thefoil if you are riding too low.

Downwind is easier in smooth water but I still struggle if the swell//chop gets past 50cm. Easier because you can unhook, and 'play it safe' with the backfoot forward and in the middle. But just because you go downwind slowly doesn't mean you are not going to crash. Sometimes faster is safer :) Read the swell and if you can go with the waves rather than fighting them.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/Foil-Racing-Upwind-technique-top-tips-please-?
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/Foil-Racing-Downwind-technique?

Similar principles apply as in high wind FW, read this great article: carbonsugar.com/technique/tuning-your-kit-for-high-wind/

For foiling, there are some specifics, in my experience the following helps:
- mast base forward
- slightly more downhaul
- slightly more outhaul, depending on the conditions (assuming you've got adjustable system anyway)
- rear stab -2 to max -2.5? (that is, -2 spacer with 255 wing or 0 to -0.5 spacer with 255 -2 wing)
- longest fuselage
- counter-intuitively: try or keep large front wings, because they slow you down and allow higher angles (again, slowing you down)
- in any case, point as high upwind and as deep downwind as you can
- really commit to the harness
- have your harness lines perfectly balanced, and try extra long ones (38-42" max length)
- rear foot out of the strap (or remove the rear strap entirely)
- going downwind, rear foot is centered on the board and you sail unhooked
- jibing, take a deep and long arc, or plane instead of fly during the turn

Hi Educesantis
Do you find yourself moving further and further forward putting all your wait down on the harnes trying to kill the lift with no weight on your front foot ?

Last but not least, instead of 115+ fuselage you can use the original 115 black which has front wing further back, reducing power. Best paired with 255 -2 thin tail wing for strong wind (or at least 255 -2, but not the standard 255 which gives too much angle).

Or if you have the new evolution wings, then use the "115 classic" (I think that's the one, correct me if I'm wrong).

Select to expand quote

Educesantes said..
I am thinking to buy the 725 front wing and see what happens..

I think the 725 SB front wing is a slalom oriented foil so may not be best for VMG upwind. Also if it is made for the evo foil fueslage it may not fit the 115+. Not sure, worth checking.

Try controlling the lift by heading upwind and railing the board. per tips above.
Then, let us know how you go!

Smaller wing creates less lift and that makes the foil easier to control, I went from an AFS F1080 cm2 wing to a S670 cm2 wing in 20-25 knots, huge difference! Went from feeling like I was riding a bull to a pony.