Greetings everyone,

I'm excited to make my first post on this forum! I'm from The Netherlands, where forums dedicated to foiling aren't very popular. So, I'm hoping to find some guidance here. I've been foiling for two years and currently ride a Starboard freeride. However, I want to switch things up and try bigger front wings, smaller sails, and a more playful setup.My biggest sail i would like to use is a Gaastra 6.0 pilot, which I'd like to use for foiling in very light wind conditions (8-10 knots). For reference, I weigh around 75/76KG. Since the small sail big front wing setup isn't very popular in my area, I'm not too knowledgeable about it. Thus, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or advice that you all could offer. While I'm primarily seeking advice on a foil, I'm also open to any board recommendations.

Thank you in advance for your help! Cheers!

I'm using a Naish 1400HA front wing for light wind/small sail foiling
My board is a Naish Micro 131, 77cm wide. I found with this board the biggest sail I am comfortable with is about 6.5m.
With a 5.8 or 6.2 freeride sail I need about 12knts gusts to get flying, then much less to stay on.
Before I also used a 1800HA front wing, but found it more dragging and not worth the little extra bottom range.
Speedwise with a bit of work I can reach about 18knts bearing off, enough to have fun. Also jibing the big wing is more stable.
pros:
you can use a smaller board and a smaller sail, easier to rig and lighter
cons:
it is slower

starboard users could suggest a big wing/stab option for you

I use 5.1 as my biggest sail, current favorite front wing for light wind is galaxy gong fluid t xl 1550cm2x95cm , but testing some higher aspect ones.
Board 114lx185x80, no harness, no foot strap use.
My weight 62 kg

All kinds of windfoiling is hecka fun. Race sails and high aspect foils and Medium aspect foils (in the 1300-1500 sqcm) with small-medium sized sails seems to be the two best combos. I think the key is to experiement with different combos and find one you like. The real big wings are typically only neccasary for big dudes or really light wind.

Sabfoil 799 or 899 would be perfect

Select to expand quote

thedoor said..
All kinds of windfoiling is hecka fun. Race sails and high aspect foils and Medium aspect foils (in the 1300-1500 sqcm) with small-medium sized sails seems to be the two best combos. I think the key is to experiement with different combos and find one you like. The real big wings are typically only neccasary for big dudes or really light wind.

Totally agree ??

Select to expand quote

nerdycross said..

thedoor said..
All kinds of windfoiling is hecka fun. Race sails and high aspect foils and Medium aspect foils (in the 1300-1500 sqcm) with small-medium sized sails seems to be the two best combos. I think the key is to experiement with different combos and find one you like. The real big wings are typically only neccasary for big dudes or really light wind.

Totally agree ??

Well, I started with a 1500 scm infinity from slingshot, and was a good foil to learn on, then moved on the fanatic 1000 front wing set up, and didn't feel was more difficult to ride, I felt more glide and quicker getting airborn instead, stall behaviour is probably the main difference, meaning you have less margins on the higher aspect foil (though the fanatic is a mid aspect). speed wise there is a big difference between the two (Fanatic as others less surface higher aspect foils are faster). Skillwise the Fanatic or similar (SAB 799 for instance) may force you to progress in terms of finessing the technique, you probably just need to avoid getting to early to that size of foil, but once you get there it opens to a different world of foiling in my opinion, with big or small sails as you like. I use a 5.7 in 12-15 knots of wind then 4.7 in 16 -20 and 4.2 in 20-25 knots just to calibrate, though I may extend the range of the sails used by tuning them flatter by 2-3 knots. I hope this helps. On the other side I tested once a race foil and didn't like it, but probably I am still skill -laking to ride and judge that kind of foil that though requires quite bigger sails to be ridden as it should.

Im 76/76kg and like the big frontwing small sail combi. My board is the severne alien 120 205x74.
Normally i ride the sab 940 1100cm2 with foilfreek 4.4 wich i like most. If the wind goes down i change to the 999 1750cm2 frontwing and keep the sail. This is much easier and more fun then going to a larger sail. I have also the 4.8 and 5.2 foilfreek. Biggest sail is 6.0 foilglide, but i do not use it often

Select to expand quote

dimacced said..

nerdycross said..

thedoor said..
All kinds of windfoiling is hecka fun. Race sails and high aspect foils and Medium aspect foils (in the 1300-1500 sqcm) with small-medium sized sails seems to be the two best combos. I think the key is to experiement with different combos and find one you like. The real big wings are typically only neccasary for big dudes or really light wind.

Totally agree ??

Well, I started with a 1500 scm infinity from slingshot, and was a good foil to learn on, then moved on the fanatic 1000 front wing set up, and didn't feel was more difficult to ride, I felt more glide and quicker getting airborn instead, stall behaviour is probably the main difference, meaning you have less margins on the higher aspect foil (though the fanatic is a mid aspect). speed wise there is a big difference between the two (Fanatic as others less surface higher aspect foils are faster). Skillwise the Fanatic or similar (SAB 799 for instance) may force you to progress in terms of finessing the technique, you probably just need to avoid getting to early to that size of foil, but once you get there it opens to a different world of foiling in my opinion, with big or small sails as you like. I use a 5.7 in 12-15 knots of wind then 4.7 in 16 -20 and 4.2 in 20-25 knots just to calibrate, though I may extend the range of the sails used by tuning them flatter by 2-3 knots. I hope this helps. On the other side I tested once a race foil and didn't like it, but probably I am still skill -laking to ride and judge that kind of foil that though requires quite bigger sails to be ridden as it should.

I believe I have thought very highly of bullroarers fanatic wings when I rode them. Area is such a limited variable when describing wings, so the range I suggested was going to leave out many good freeride wings, including my own the sab 799. I guess what I think works well for freeride wind foil with smalls sails are foils that have good stall speed and manaueverability and this can be achieved in lots of ways consider the early moses 720 (which I think was under 800 sqcm). I think the point I was trying to make is that you don't need to go super big to use small sails, and if you do you will lose top speed and maneuverability.

Having said that if OP wants an XL maneuverable wing with good top speed they cannot go wrong with sab 999

A couple windfoilers on my local water are using the Phantasm PTM 926 wing (1263 cm2) with sail sizes from 6.3 to 2.5.

Hi, Bart here, also from the Netherlands!

I weigh also about 73 kg and use nowadays a 105 ltr horue tiny pro Foil board (180x75cm) with light weight 5.0 and 5,7 or 4.3 Gun torro freemove and Gun seal wave sails in light winds (12 to 16 knots).

I started foiling a few years ago with a larger goya proton 115 ltr slalom board and bigger gun torro 6.6 and exceed 7.5, but the smaller horue board is more fun and easy in light conditions. Effective pumping technique and down wind is the key to get flight .

When the wind picks up ( more than 5 bfrt) I use my 94 ltr Freestyle wave with a fin and the same sails for bump and jump windsurfing.

Before i had a Slingshot infinity 76 and 65 cm foil . now a bit better carbon sab w799 and s399 balz muller foil. This is a bit easyerer and a bit faster then the aluminium Slingshot.

I also own a neil pryde glide small powerbox foil for my Freestyle wave, this works also very fine with these sails and conditions.

Greetings from BART from Zwolle

FWIW
63 Kg here. 114 liter SS wizard with the 730 PFI/400 phantasm kit. 3.7,4.5 and 5.2 sails. Covers a range of 13-26 knots. 5,2 rarely used. I struggle a bit over 25knot with the 3.7, but the gusts are usually brief, so I just ride it out.

Thanks for al the suggestions! Looks like sab and the phantasm are quite popular. What exactly is the difference between the new hover glide and phantasm?

Select to expand quote

MartyySurf said..
Thanks for al the suggestions! Looks like sab and the phantasm are quite popular. What exactly is the difference between the new hover glide and phantasm?

I have the hover glide (infinity 84). All the hoverglides use a hex aluminum rod as the fuselage and the front wing slides thorough the fuselage (male-female connection) so the connection is not very tight. You can make it tighter with shims. The mast sits flush on the fuselage so that is also not a good fit either. However, you can buy them for very little and the 76 wing is a really good wing. Bottom line: hover glide is a very good option because of the price.

phantasms are nothing compared to the hoverglide, kinda 2-3 generations ahead. Proper connections and carbon mast. But they are way more expensive. Also very popular foils.

My biggest sail is is 5.2 which i use with a phantasm ptm 930. If there are any whitecaps at all, I will go with 4.7 and the phantasm g800. Board for light wind is slingshot freestyle 115, for powered 4.2 and below I go to the freestyle 87.

As others have said, don't focus on the wing area too much. You need an efficient wing, rather than a big one. That means something medium to high aspect. But don't go too small.

8-10 knots is ambitious though. I agree with others - 12kt gusts is more realistic, but it depends on how you measure/define wind speed. I think for foiling it's the gust speed that counts more than the base wind becuase you can get going in a gust and then stay up in slightly less wind.
Foiling is more fun with small sails

Select to expand quote

Nikita said..
As others have said, don't focus on the wing area too much. You need an efficient wing, rather than a big one. That means something medium to high aspect. But don't go too small.

8-10 knots is ambitious though. I agree with others - 12kt gusts is more realistic, but it depends on how you measure/define wind speed. I think for foiling it's the gust speed that counts more than the base wind becuase you can get going in a gust and then stay up in slightly less wind.
Foiling is more fun with small sails

5.1 is my big sail, winds are 7-9 kn to get me going, >10 kn i would be switching to 4.2...

Select to expand quote

thedoor said..

dimacced said..

nerdycross said..

thedoor said..
All kinds of windfoiling is hecka fun. Race sails and high aspect foils and Medium aspect foils (in the 1300-1500 sqcm) with small-medium sized sails seems to be the two best combos. I think the key is to experiement with different combos and find one you like. The real big wings are typically only neccasary for big dudes or really light wind.

Totally agree ??

Well, I started with a 1500 scm infinity from slingshot, and was a good foil to learn on, then moved on the fanatic 1000 front wing set up, and didn't feel was more difficult to ride, I felt more glide and quicker getting airborn instead, stall behaviour is probably the main difference, meaning you have less margins on the higher aspect foil (though the fanatic is a mid aspect). speed wise there is a big difference between the two (Fanatic as others less surface higher aspect foils are faster). Skillwise the Fanatic or similar (SAB 799 for instance) may force you to progress in terms of finessing the technique, you probably just need to avoid getting to early to that size of foil, but once you get there it opens to a different world of foiling in my opinion, with big or small sails as you like. I use a 5.7 in 12-15 knots of wind then 4.7 in 16 -20 and 4.2 in 20-25 knots just to calibrate, though I may extend the range of the sails used by tuning them flatter by 2-3 knots. I hope this helps. On the other side I tested once a race foil and didn't like it, but probably I am still skill -laking to ride and judge that kind of foil that though requires quite bigger sails to be ridden as it should.

I believe I have thought very highly of bullroarers fanatic wings when I rode them. Area is such a limited variable when describing wings, so the range I suggested was going to leave out many good freeride wings, including my own the sab 799. I guess what I think works well for freeride wind foil with smalls sails are foils that have good stall speed and manaueverability and this can be achieved in lots of ways consider the early moses 720 (which I think was under 800 sqcm). I think the point I was trying to make is that you don't need to go super big to use small sails, and if you do you will lose top speed and maneuverability.

Having said that if OP wants an XL maneuverable wing with good top speed they cannot go wrong with sab 999

I am a bit heavier at 100 kg and have really pushed the limits and found the edges of what is too big. For the earliest take off and the smallest sail I love the SAB 1100, but it can get too big when the wind is up, waves are fast or in confused chop. I currently use the SAB 999 as my go too in all but the lightest wind and up to the low twenties then I switch to 799. Sea state, swell size and lull duration/breeze quality play large factors in what front wing I choose. For me, foils turn so fast in general, and my set up has the foil so close to the sail that maneuverability is never a problem. Sure the 799 turns the best but the 1100 will still whip right around so I favor bigger wings than most particularly in small surf or frequent lulls. My biggest sail is 5.1 freestyle sail, and a 10-12 knot puff can get me going. Sailing boats are my first love so speeds in the teens and low twenties are plenty for my old ass!

Select to expand quote

MartyySurf said..
...currently ride a Starboard freeride...

While I'm primarily seeking advice on a foil, I'm also open to any board recommendations.

welcome to the forum!

it's not clear to me whether the "Starboard Freeride" is the foil, or the board.

If it is the foil, and it is of the Evolution generation, you can simply get a different set of wings: the 500 tailwing is way too big, so you'd need to downsize to the 330 likely, and as for the front wing, you can choose the SuperFlyer 1300 or SuperCruiser 1700, which work well on the 95 Evo fuselage (there's also a new SuperFlyer 1500 but i have not tested it yet). As others have noted, don't focus too much on the area (for example, i find the SF 1300 wing to be liftier than the SC 1700 when mounted on the same fuse and with the same tailwing). BTW, this isn't meant to nullify the other foil recommendations, it's just another path in case you were talking about your foil.

if is the board, chances are very good that you'll need a different board for the big wing/small sail setup. the SB freeride boards don't really have the right geometry for that kind of riding, particularly the mast track position. the big wing/small sail setup works on much more compact setups, where the rig, rider, and foil are bunched closer together.

Select to expand quote

utcminusfour said..

thedoor said..

dimacced said..

nerdycross said..

thedoor said..
All kinds of windfoiling is hecka fun. Race sails and high aspect foils and Medium aspect foils (in the 1300-1500 sqcm) with small-medium sized sails seems to be the two best combos. I think the key is to experiement with different combos and find one you like. The real big wings are typically only neccasary for big dudes or really light wind.

Totally agree ??

Well, I started with a 1500 scm infinity from slingshot, and was a good foil to learn on, then moved on the fanatic 1000 front wing set up, and didn't feel was more difficult to ride, I felt more glide and quicker getting airborn instead, stall behaviour is probably the main difference, meaning you have less margins on the higher aspect foil (though the fanatic is a mid aspect). speed wise there is a big difference between the two (Fanatic as others less surface higher aspect foils are faster). Skillwise the Fanatic or similar (SAB 799 for instance) may force you to progress in terms of finessing the technique, you probably just need to avoid getting to early to that size of foil, but once you get there it opens to a different world of foiling in my opinion, with big or small sails as you like. I use a 5.7 in 12-15 knots of wind then 4.7 in 16 -20 and 4.2 in 20-25 knots just to calibrate, though I may extend the range of the sails used by tuning them flatter by 2-3 knots. I hope this helps. On the other side I tested once a race foil and didn't like it, but probably I am still skill -laking to ride and judge that kind of foil that though requires quite bigger sails to be ridden as it should.

I believe I have thought very highly of bullroarers fanatic wings when I rode them. Area is such a limited variable when describing wings, so the range I suggested was going to leave out many good freeride wings, including my own the sab 799. I guess what I think works well for freeride wind foil with smalls sails are foils that have good stall speed and manaueverability and this can be achieved in lots of ways consider the early moses 720 (which I think was under 800 sqcm). I think the point I was trying to make is that you don't need to go super big to use small sails, and if you do you will lose top speed and maneuverability.

Having said that if OP wants an XL maneuverable wing with good top speed they cannot go wrong with sab 999

I am a bit heavier at 100 kg and have really pushed the limits and found the edges of what is too big. For the earliest take off and the smallest sail I love the SAB 1100, but it can get too big when the wind is up, waves are fast or in confused chop. I currently use the SAB 999 as my go too in all but the lightest wind and up to the low twenties then I switch to 799. Sea state, swell size and lull duration/breeze quality play large factors in what front wing I choose. For me, foils turn so fast in general, and my set up has the foil so close to the sail that maneuverability is never a problem. Sure the 799 turns the best but the 1100 will still whip right around so I favor bigger wings than most particularly in small surf or frequent lulls. My biggest sail is 5.1 freestyle sail, and a 10-12 knot puff can get me going. Sailing boats are my first love so speeds in the teens and low twenties are plenty for my old ass!

I love the range on the 99s. I don't have tonnes of time on 699 but I don't think its range quite as wide as the other 99s, but maybe that is why i don't have tonnes of time on it ;)

maybe need to lobby sabfoil for a 1099 to replace your 1100

Select to expand quote

Nikita said..
As others have said, don't focus on the wing area too much. You need an efficient wing, rather than a big one. That means something medium to high aspect. But don't go too small.

8-10 knots is ambitious though. I agree with others - 12kt gusts is more realistic, but it depends on how you measure/define wind speed. I think for foiling it's the gust speed that counts more than the base wind becuase you can get going in a gust and then stay up in slightly less wind.
Foiling is more fun with small sails

I tend to agree; many state that they get airborn in 8-10 knt, but reality is that you need a puff of 12 to go with a 5.7 if you are not Balz Muller. When they say 8-10 maybe means that low end of wind that day has been 8-10 but reality may be that wind ranged from 8 to 13, you don't feel is windy anyway, but there is defintely wind for taking off in the gusts and then once flying is another story, and if you are a clever jiber, you don't touch down and are able to read the wind and the waves playing some tactics you can negotiate the conditions to stay up almost all the time...but this requires skills I still do not have just to be honest...somebody said one day...but is not this the day...

In my experience I have found:

1) Efficient Higher Aspect foils take a "bit" more take off speed but once up glide through the lulls so much nicer that I actually have more time on the foil than with bigger foils. At 85kg the 1300 to 1000 cm2 range works for me and I decide what to use more on how big the gust are

2) Freestyle sails have been a game changer for me. They are very light, have a short boom and rigged deep with a tight leach have great low end. The tighter leach does not twist off as well so if you are looking for that powered up, hiked out speed fun they may not be for you. The biggest sail I use is 4.4m and can usually pump up to take off speed if the gusts are say over 10knts. And I am not a good pumper.

3) Smaller boards are more lively and I used an 80L board. However I prefer to give up that little bit more lively feel for a board that allows me to use a smaller sail and is easier to waterstart and even uphual. So I love my 6ft 110L custom board which really shines in light wind.

That said 2020 Hess was not as comfortable foiling which meant more "restarts" so my progression using LA floaty 1550cm foil with a forgiving stabilizer and bigger sails/boards in light winds was a fun experience.

Select to expand quote

dimacced said. I tend to agree; many state that they get airborn in 8-10 knt, but reality is that you need a puff of 12 to go with a 5.7 if you are not Balz Muller.
When they say 8-10 maybe means that low end of wind that day has been 8-10 but reality may be that wind ranged from 8 to 13, you don't feel is windy anyway, but there is defintely wind for taking off in the gusts and then once flying is another story, and if you are a clever jiber, you don't touch down.
And are able to read the wind and the waves playing some tactics you can negotiate the conditions to stay up almost all the time...

In my experience the comments above are 100% accurate if you're 80kgs+ and using a foil smaller than 1200cm2

Have a look at Ben's technique at 2:16. He was on a 5.0 foil sail with wind about 8 knts . BTW Balz uses a 4.8 Foil Freek... which is a freestyle sail with very small cambers. The advantage of the freestyle / dedicated foil sails is that they are designed for lift.

Select to expand quote

stehsegler said..
BTW Balz uses a 4.8 Foil Freek... which is a freestyle sail with very small cambers

really?

no small cams on the 2022 FoilFreeks i've sailed

Had a light wind session yesterday, little to no white caps. A few other folks out on wings 4 to 6 meter and closer to 55kgs with big foils. Oh then there was Alan Cadiz winging on a (650cm) but he does not count

Had a session on the 945(1300cm) with enough power to give me the courage to ride the bigger break. Lots of fun and only needed a couple quick pumps to get up on foil. Thought it was building so came in to eat and switch to the 940(1100cm). Of course the wind dropped but gave it a try. Had to pump hard (and I suck at pumping) but once up was ok except a couple times when I came off the foil in the jibe.
I should have stuck with the 945 for the second session and a bigger sail would have been nice. But I still had fun.

The airport is about 500m from the beach so that's the best wind indicator I could come up with. Hope this helps

Like others have pointed out if you can get up to take-off speed on an efficient foil once up its crazy how the apparent wind just keeps you going. That said when riding a swell I prefer to have enough power to water start as the carves are more fun when powered up. In the first session I was at about the wind minimum for that, the second session I was defiantly looking for a bigger sail.

Select to expand quote

azymuth said..

dimacced said. I tend to agree; many state that they get airborn in 8-10 knt, but reality is that you need a puff of 12 to go with a 5.7 if you are not Balz Muller.
When they say 8-10 maybe means that low end of wind that day has been 8-10 but reality may be that wind ranged from 8 to 13, you don't feel is windy anyway, but there is defintely wind for taking off in the gusts and then once flying is another story, and if you are a clever jiber, you don't touch down.
And are able to read the wind and the waves playing some tactics you can negotiate the conditions to stay up almost all the time...

In my experience the comments above are 100% accurate if you're 80kgs+ and using a foil smaller than 1200cm2

You got it almost azymuth, I am 75 kg though my biggest front wing is 1000, ...and I don't believe I am Balz Muller :-) so the skill factor takes is role as well

Select to expand quote

stehsegler said..
Have a look at Ben's technique at 2:16. He was on a 5.0 foil sail with wind about 8 knts . BTW Balz uses a 4.8 Foil Freek... which is a freestyle sail with very small cambers. The advantage of the freestyle / dedicated foil sails is that they are designed for lift.

How can you state there were 8 knts? I once mesured the wind just to understand how much was enough to get going, assuming the wind meter was accurate 8 knts is very very little wind, should not be any gust to give you a chanche I doubt anyone could get flying with a 5.0 in that condition, other than a gorilla weighting 30 kg pumping like hell.
when talking about wind speed we need to talk about ranges, since is quite never so constant, and I bet if we pay right attention in those gusts we have an opportunity to fly ...I doubt anyone could in 8 knts with 5.0... myself not for sure youst to be direct and put the skills in the equation as well. People with skills, even Balz, they speak range...for him light wind is 8-15, but is not to say he gets flying in 8 knts he probably can stay on the foil when there is a 8 knt lull, but the get up he needs more than that expecially with small sails he uses.

Then on measuring wind, 8 knts at sea or on the beach? Onshore or offshore. is that average on what period? Is that the max, the min?Is there swell to help in getting speed?
Since the action of getting airborn is taking place in few seconds and the most important phase is the very first pumps, is that wind we should measure, and is not easy at all, most of our statements on wind strenght are qualitative and inaccurate to drive reliable conclusion on what is the minimum to get flying with a certain kit combo..I know that since I tried, and failed in doing so. Beginning of the season when you are not yet used to wind, a small wind seem more than it is, forward in the season is the opposite, expecially for those that are not sailing that much, so perception play tricks on us as well.

Just sharing my own experience on low wind

cheers

Edoardo

Select to expand quote

dimacced said..

stehsegler said..
Have a look at Ben's technique at 2:16. He was on a 5.0 foil sail with wind about 8 knts . BTW Balz uses a 4.8 Foil Freek... which is a freestyle sail with very small cambers. The advantage of the freestyle / dedicated foil sails is that they are designed for lift.

How can you state there were 8 knts? I once mesured the wind just to understand how much was enough to get going, assuming the wind meter was accurate 8 knts is very very little wind, should not be any gust to give you a chanche I doubt anyone could get flying with a 5.0 in that condition, other than a gorilla weighting 30 kg pumping like hell.
when talking about wind speed we need to talk about ranges, since is quite never so constant, and I bet if we pay right attention in those gusts we have an opportunity to fly ...I doubt anyone could in 8 knts with 5.0... myself not for sure youst to be direct and put the skills in the equation as well. People with skills, even Balz, they speak range...for him light wind is 8-15, but is not to say he gets flying in 8 knts he probably can stay on the foil when there is a 8 knt lull, but the get up he needs more than that expecially with small sails he uses.

Then on measuring wind, 8 knts at sea or on the beach? Onshore or offshore. is that average on what period? Is that the max, the min?Is there swell to help in getting speed?
Since the action of getting airborn is taking place in few seconds and the most important phase is the very first pumps, is that wind we should measure, and is not easy at all, most of our statements on wind strenght are qualitative and inaccurate to drive reliable conclusion on what is the minimum to get flying with a certain kit combo..I know that since I tried, and failed in doing so. Beginning of the season when you are not yet used to wind, a small wind seem more than it is, forward in the season is the opposite, expecially for those that are not sailing that much, so perception play tricks on us as well.

Just sharing my own experience on low wind

cheers

Edoardo

You are correct in saying how can one measure wind accurately because as we know it's a constant variable but if you have been windsurfing a reasonable amount of time (nearly 40 years for me) you know what 10 knots is just from time on water alone.

Will there be 12 knots somewhere out on the water, yes absolutely and if I am foiling by myself and know its super light less than 10 knots and record a video, then someone else comes along 15 mins later and the wind has swung and its more 10-14 knots then we have both recorded a completely different experience and neither of us are wrong but I have ridden 99% in 10 knots and you have ridden in 14 knots.

it is a combination of perfect equipment set up, feet pressure, rig pump, bearing off at right angles etc...once you get the foil to engage you can absolutely foil up in 8-10 knots with a small sail. first video on a 5.0 in 9-12 knots and second video on a 5.8 in 5-10.

Select to expand quote

Hess said..
Had a light wind session yesterday, little to no white caps. A few other folks out on wings 4 to 6 meter and closer to 55kgs with big foils. Oh then there was Alan Cadiz winging on a (650cm) but he does not count

Had a session on the 945(1300cm) with enough power to give me the courage to ride the bigger break. Lots of fun and only needed a couple quick pumps to get up on foil. Thought it was building so came in to eat and switch to the 940(1100cm). Of course the wind dropped but gave it a try. Had to pump hard (and I suck at pumping) but once up was ok except a couple times when I came off the foil in the jibe.
I should have stuck with the 945 for the second session and a bigger sail would have been nice. But I still had fun.

The airport is about 500m from the beach so that's the best wind indicator I could come up with. Hope this helps

Like others have pointed out if you can get up to take-off speed on an efficient foil once up its crazy how the apparent wind just keeps you going. That said when riding a swell I prefer to have enough power to water start as the carves are more fun when powered up. In the first session I was at about the wind minimum for that, the second session I was defiantly looking for a bigger sail.

Sorry I forgot to mention this was all on a 4.4m freestyle sail and I am 85kg. Even though the second session was averaging about 10kt or even less. I was able to stay on the foil most of the time, on a 1100cm HA foil, given I could pump up in the gusts over 10kts.

Select to expand quote

dimacced said..
How can you state there were 8 knts?

This was on the tail end of an Easterly morning off-shore breeze on the Swan River. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro throws high wind warnings from about 10 knts. I wasn't getting any warnings when I filmed that particular segment. White caps at that spot appear from about 12 knots. . As you can see from the video there aren't any. I draw the conclusion the wind was blowing below 10 knts.