Foldable Mast Concept

[Peert]

This option would be simpler to build in a hydronamically.

[Bletti]

Another option I haven't seen discussed here that I think worth exploring is making a board that can be easily ridden upside down with the foil out of the water so you can get out then flipped over and take off.

You'd have to ride with a full body armor then, wouldn't you?

I'm already wearing helmet, vest, harness and wetsuit. Shark chainmail is the next step. It doesn't work well riding upside down on my canard spitfire, but a conventional foil and foilboard could be designed so you can stand infront of the main wing, perhaps with very minimalist straps to hold your feet or minimalist grip pads for your feet upside down.

It's a far simpler, lighter, and less likely to break approach.

[bragnouff]

It's a far simpler, lighter, and less likely to break approach.

You're already wearing an impact shield for a foil that is a meter away under your feet, riding at speed next to sharp bits sounds Very scary to me. Actually even much scarier than the retractable mast idea that was put forward by @windmaker
No use of the lift from the wings. And doesn't fit any better in the car either. I'd pass!

[pstkk]

A telescopic mast

This exists on some weird type of sit-down wake foil. The mast slides through the board and the plate mount is secured on top.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWvDaYSFJMf/

Upside down riding can be done with a strapless board. Check this video at 1:30 in:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJWlcrksyI

[NYKiter]

I suspect drag would be too much if the mast was adjustable.

[abel]

If an does not comply to the KISS concept, then probably it's not good enough (especially in the kitesurfing market )
So I would follow Socommk's suggestion..., something 'a la Fone kitefoil'

[Jugglajon]

I think the quick release idea is a winner for quick storage/setup. Liking the way stringfellow has achieved it.

Personally I'd rather walk or body drag to deep water.

Both are easy and far less hassle than mounting a foil whilst attached to a kite in waist deep water.