Select to expand quote

Grantmac said..
Out of curiosity when would you use a top handle? A bottom one makes sense to me but I can't figure when I'd use one on the top.

Getting it out of back of my truck when it's deck up sometimes and something to grab on deck when foil is underwater going over white water while standing sometimes nice to have a grab point on deck,dont always have enough time flip board over and grab bottom handle in a pinch, but for winging bottom handles is more important,but some situations a quick grab on deck is nice too,could put a foot strap on deck but don't like them switching feet on the fly as I like my real estate clutter free on deck.couple of inserts for a optional web strap on deck would be cool all I'm saying

Select to expand quote

Grantmac said..
Out of curiosity when would you use a top handle? A bottom one makes sense to me but I can't figure when I'd use one on the top.

top handle is good for longer walks IMO if there is some breeze. you hold the fuselage a/ your upwind hand and the top handle and LE handle w/ your bottom hand. i like having both top and bottom handles, but i would choose bottom if I could only have one.

also for carrying the board just by itself, the top handle is good. In case of self rescue where there's a long walk back w/ a deflated or rolled up wing, top handle is the easiest carry.

So less of a factor if you have straps?

I ask only since the board I've used has straps but no handles anywhere and the place I'd want a handle is definitely the bottom.
I've been sketching up a bottom handle that can mount to the foil tracks or possibly foil mast itself. Obviously there will be some drag but that doesn't seem like a huge factor.

I have boards with top and bottom handles and never use those handles. I always carry the board over my shoulder with the foil's mast against my upwind shoulder and hold the wing's front strut handle with my downwind hand.

The bottom handle is not that useful for general carrying around but I think it is critical for getting into and out of breaking surf.

Select to expand quote

Grantmac said..
So less of a factor if you have straps?

I ask only since the board I've used has straps but no handles anywhere and the place I'd want a handle is definitely the bottom.
I've been sketching up a bottom handle that can mount to the foil tracks or possibly foil mast itself. Obviously there will be some drag but that doesn't seem like a huge factor.

yes if you have straps on the top then the top handle is less important, although usually the top handle is not where the footstrap plugs are.

If you want to try out a bottom handle and check placement, you can buy a suction cup shower handle and stick it to the bottom of your board. A dude I know just leaves it on permanently on his Naish foil board that has no bottom handle.

Haha yes I've heard of windfoilers who have used the shower handle and report surprisingly little drag. From the brief experience so far it seem that board drag is even less of a factor for winging.
That's why I was thinking about adding a external handle which attaches to the foil tracks or mast.

Would be very helpful for windfoiling too which is a far bigger pain to carry than the wing.

Rode the 5'6" wing drifter yesterday in 8-18 mph conditions. Placed the Armstrong 2400 at center box position, with back foot slightly in front of foil edge. Worked well, board felt stable and lifted gradually. There were a few 25 mph gusts where the board lifted and felt like a meter off the water. Was surprised as the foil didn't breach. With my previous F One 6'0", keeping the correct amount of downward force at higher speeds didn't feel as intuitive. The is due to several factors, mainly the board shape and size differences. With a smaller board and surface area, a rider exerts more down force and control. The sweet spot feels closer to the tail, so I've been riding slightly offset in a narrow stance. It felt comfortable and helps keep nose stuffs to a minimum. I also tried the 1850, but will try again with the mast jammed forward next time. Over all, It has been a fun board.

isn't there any ventilation screw on the board? can't see something on the pics

No plug. So need to be mindful of heat.

wow, that's bad
and this means also no flying.

Select to expand quote

WST said..
wow, that's bad
and this means also no flying.

Why? My Smiks have no vents and have flown and left them in the sun. Currently it lives in my car which I park at work every day with windows open a smidge and shade screen across windscreen. No dramas after over a year. I think it depends on the type of foam they use in the blank. Vents have caused me grief in the past by letting water in.

Select to expand quote

hilly said..

WST said..
wow, that's bad
and this means also no flying.

Why? My Smiks have no vents and have flown and left them in the sun. Currently it lives in my car which I park at work every day with windows open a smidge and shade screen across windscreen. No dramas after over a year. I think it depends on the type of foam they use in the blank. Vents have caused me grief in the past by letting water in.

They use an EPS core. The air inside will have higher pressure if on a flight where the outside air pressure is lower or if it gets heated up by the sun. Once the pressure gets down again the board can delaminate.
That's why usually all boards have either this ventilation screw or automatic ventilation like Severne and Gong have.But I can't see anything like this on the Quatro.

Select to expand quote

WST said..

hilly said..

WST said..
wow, that's bad
and this means also no flying.

Why? My Smiks have no vents and have flown and left them in the sun. Currently it lives in my car which I park at work every day with windows open a smidge and shade screen across windscreen. No dramas after over a year. I think it depends on the type of foam they use in the blank. Vents have caused me grief in the past by letting water in.

They use an EPS core. The air inside will have higher pressure if on a flight where the outside air pressure is lower or if it gets heated up by the sun. Once the pressure gets down again the board can delaminate.
That's why usually all boards have either this ventilation screw or automatic ventilation like Severne and Gong have.But I can't see anything like this on the Quatro.

Lots of brands use a denser core and lighter glassing. Light core and heavy pvc outer needs vent. More air in there.

Select to expand quote

hilly said..

Lots of brands use a denser core and lighter glassing. Light core and heavy pvc outer needs vent. More air in there.

can you explain this in more details please?what do you mean with lots of brands use denser core and lighter glassing.
I thought EPS is a light core?I thought XPS is the heaver core
and EPS and PE are not so much difference ?

do you mean only glassing? or did you mean the carbon glassing or wood sandwich style?

But how is the Quatro different from this?

I've heard that the foot strap insert pattern is being modified to entertain a windsurf (angle) placement of the straps.

There are different densities of EPS so cannot say thermal properties are the same. Don't know the foam density used on the wing drifter. Relative to another board I've used (Fone Rocket) which had a deck plug, the wing drifter feels heavier on a per volume basis. But the board thickness at the nose and swing weight is noticeably less and feels more responsive. I typically keep it in a insulated board bag, reflective side up when in the car.

my board was flown in from overseas and had the vent screw plugged in when I unpacked it, don't think it makes a difference

Select to expand quote

pitbulldoug said..

Getting it out of back of my truck when it's deck up sometimes and something to grab on deck when foil is underwater going over white water while standing sometimes nice to have a grab point on deck,dont always have enough time flip board over and grab bottom handle in a pinch, but for winging bottom handles is more important,but some situations a quick grab on deck is nice too,could put a foot strap on deck but don't like them switching feet on the fly as I like my real estate clutter free on deck.couple of inserts for a optional web strap on deck would be cool all I'm saying

I'm using a windfoil board for winging and I've taken the front straps off and replaced them with straps made from webbing. Originally I thought I could still get my feet in 'em for windfoiling, but after the first reach I realized that wouldn't happen. Now I just use 'em as handles and wind and wingfoil strapless. I don't even notice when I step on them with booties on.

Select to expand quote

WST said..

hilly said..

Lots of brands use a denser core and lighter glassing. Light core and heavy pvc outer needs vent. More air in there.

can you explain this in more details please?what do you mean with lots of brands use denser core and lighter glassing.
I thought EPS is a light core?I thought XPS is the heaver core
and EPS and PE are not so much difference ?

do you mean only glassing? or did you mean the carbon glassing or wood sandwich style?

But how is the Quatro different from this?

some info here www.swaylocks.com/groups/eps-foam-density
Sandwich construction has a hard shell with exceptionally light core - lots of air inside not much foam.
Glassed construction has denser core - less air inside.
Stronger core means less weight in the glassing.
Quattro is glassed not sandwich.

Select to expand quote

hilly said..

WST said..

hilly said..

Lots of brands use a denser core and lighter glassing. Light core and heavy pvc outer needs vent. More air in there.

can you explain this in more details please?what do you mean with lots of brands use denser core and lighter glassing.
I thought EPS is a light core?I thought XPS is the heaver core
and EPS and PE are not so much difference ?

do you mean only glassing? or did you mean the carbon glassing or wood sandwich style?

But how is the Quatro different from this?

some info here www.swaylocks.com/groups/eps-foam-density
Sandwich construction has a hard shell with exceptionally light core - lots of air inside not much foam.
Glassed construction has denser core - less air inside.
Stronger core means less weight in the glassing.
Quattro is glassed not sandwich.

thank you very much for clarification

Select to expand quote

Beasho said..
Guys: Add strap mounts with stick ons from NSI. If you cure them properly they stay. No damaging holes in the board. Put them exactly where you want them. I've used them for 2 years on 3 SUPS. No failures yet.

My board has a deck pad. Any tips on best way to cut out pad to use the stick ons?

Heard about rumors about about issues on quatro drifter board construction, any experiences?

I've not had an issue, so far so good. Personally I'd say the build quality is pretty good. KT/Quatro has been making solid wind surf/foil boards for a while. It's a very responsive board.

Select to expand quote

jlv said..
Heard about rumors about about issues on quatro drifter board construction, any experiences?

Mine's still fine, but haven't had it long. What are the rumors exactly?

Rumors about poor durability, that's why is better to ask people who got one

Select to expand quote

jlv said..
Rumors about poor durability, that's why is better to ask people who got one

We'll see. If it just dings quite easily I don't really mind, just as long as the deck doesn't go soft or the inserts fail.

Select to expand quote

Jameos said..

jlv said..
Rumors about poor durability, that's why is better to ask people who got one

We'll see. If it just dings quite easily I don't really mind, just as long as the deck doesn't go soft or the inserts fail.

Same rumors...

Select to expand quote

jlv said.. Same rumors...

Hmm please give exact details of "rumours" or it is a fake accusation on a public forum. Photos, what was the resolution? Not just I heard, or it is total BS.

I've had one now for about a dozens sessions and only ding was when I hit the sandbar and went over the handle bars hitting the nose area w my harness hook. I was really worried it was going to be much worse than just the small crack it suffered. Easy repair, none structural area.