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Mine is being shipped tomorrow - got the pics today from the factory.

A bit of simplification in this jungle.

Original post updated with 5 main chinese manufacturers:
Please note that X Great Phoenix, Sublimation and Cimi have the nicest range and a few models in common
You can also get a board for an extra fee (Sublimation + Cimi)
YD Yeah Sports offers KF Box masts AND Mr C's HF models (Diamond plate and C arc Shaped Mast as in 2014, ...)

Europ2 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:03 pm

[Edit] Please post here if you have useful information, or if you have questions to ask.

List of suppliers and known prices for a complete ALU or CF Hydrofoil (2 wings, mast and fuselage):
General method: type "Hydrofoil" in the search box of https://www.alibaba.com or https://www.aliexpress.com

Xiamen Great Phoenix 3 known HF models 1 alu SUP + 1 alu Kite (4 colours) + 1 CF Kite: Catalog here 280-400 USD + shipping
Sublimationsports https://sublimationsports.en.alibaba.co ... hText=foil - Board (with mast rails) + Foil 200-600 USD + shipping - Foil only : 280-600 + Shipping
Contact is raphael@sublimationsports.com - He emails pic of the finished product to confirm before they ship.
YD Yeah Sport: offers KF Box stub, C shaped mast https://yeahsport.en.alibaba.com/produc ... ouped.html 150-390 USD + shipping
Cimi Sports Nice Foils + Top Board with mast rails https://cimisports.en.alibaba.com/produ ... OFOIL.html 200-320 USD USD + shipping
Z&J Sport High quality prepreg models https://zjsports.en.alibaba.com/search/ ... =hydrofoil 400-600 USD + shiping

Are you saying I could use my old surfboard that permanently lives in Cuba



...stick this thing on



get a piece of Chinese Carbon



...and go foiling for $500?

marlboroughman wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 13, 2017 5:17 pm

Are you saying I could ....

I'm not saying anything, it's just a synthesis of what is available. If you have a correct feedback about the Foilmount plate and think that the Best board has a reasonably strong bottom skin, why not. As you have 2 unknowns in your pb, I would suggest to wait until at least one of them is solved.

That stick-on mount seems sketchy, but I have to admit this video of it is pretty impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... 4VZJOuEUic

I think with a small foil leash, a stick on mount would be fine for a noob to get out and learn to foil. By the time you are ready to compete in the hydrofoil pro tour, I am sure you will have upgraded to a dedicated board.

Europ2 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:31 pm

A bit of simplification in this jungle.

Original post updated with 5 main chinese manufacturers...

I frankly fail to see the point. The stuff on alibaba is just one photo. In many cases it is not even clear if they sell the board or foil. How would I make purchasing decision based on this scarce info? Do I have to beg the vendor to send me some more photos, and then go through all the hassle arranging group buy, payment by some obscure method, etc. JNJ is simply in another league as far as customer experience is concerned.

What's JNJ ?

I bought just 1 item. No group purchase required and I used PayPal.

JNJ is the AliExpress store that started off this monster thread. As far as I understand it, AliExpress is like the retail storefront for Alibaba, which is more about wholesale and manufacturers. AliExpress is more consumer friendly and has the same buyer assurances as ebay, plus most small purchases are free shipping. Alibaba is free wheeling and buyer beware ... BUT, given the contacts I've made lately and JZ's experience, I wonder if that is now past, as they accept paypal vs sketchy wire transfers, they sell single items, they have virtual storefronts vs dealing with some factory where you're supposed to go on site to oversee production of your 1000 kite order. Seems like alibaba is getting more "friendly" ... and as long as they have buyer assurance in some way, the risk seems a lot less than it used to be.

Jzh_perth wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 13, 2017 12:17 pm

Mine is being shipped tomorrow - got the pics today from the factory.

IMG_2354.JPG

Looks good James,
How long will it take for you to receive it?
what length mast do you go for?
How long is the fuselage?