Laughingman wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2018 4:16 pm
Yah I was just reading about both of them. Interesting and hard to make a choice...
Regarding riding the foil, that is what we did, that is exactly where she is at, mostly riding on water allowing to the foil to engage off the backs of waves etc... it scares her so she doesn't stay on foil long...yet... The injuries were from the first few sessions, wiping out while trying to water start... trying to hold the foil in place with one hand and diving the kite while trying to get her feet on the board (it was a mistake to use the half hook) and she has a tendency to fall on the foil, just like when she was starting with a twin tip she would kick the board in front of her and then fall into it. The last few times she went out there were no new injuries so I think she is past that stage... I hope!
I didn't learn with short masts, suffered through it full size like everyone else, but my friends who did demonstrate it is way easier! Falling on that mast is painful and dangerous.
Single strap is easier but risks breaking your ankle if you get stuck in a bad wipeout. I have found the happy medium to be two hooks, with a 2nd one at rear facing forward. My front hook is the new standard style, but back one is the old klingon style, with very little lip on it. It doesn't really cover the foot at all, really it's just a foam block to push against -- as pushing out with both feet "holds" the board in place for water start, then once up and riding you're free to move your feet as needed.
Travel and weight: I got my kite surfboard foil capable, now it's a dual purpose, which meant I could bring my foil to Maui. And needed it for a couple sessions!
I am now pursuing same with a vanguard, maybe a 4 in one, adding paddle surfing and surf foil too.
Nice OR quiver. I'd keep that 14.5. I have a 17m flite, now use it a lot less than I used to, but on its day it's still gold -- session saver when it's under 10kt. Lots of people will chime in that they fly their 12m in 5kts with their foil, etc., but for me, having that extra kite power in the 8-12kt range makes it so much easier, no drama with kite falling out of sky in lulls. But I am not a fan of the tiny kite flying with endless looping to keep it in the air, I'm more a park and ride kiter. And I prefer a little extra power, to help keep the kite drifting when riding straight downwind. (though the flite doesn't drift as well as the wave kites)
Back to foils and your question: I don't have much more to add, other than to say you're lucky to have a legitimate reason to buy a 2nd foil! If $ is an issue, the DIY route is fun and satisfying, to ride a wing you made. But it can be time consuming and frustrating, and also may end up costing the same as a used one if you account for trial and error. Probably the best bang for your buck is to buy a lightly used foil off someone who gave up on the steep learning curve.