Contact   Imprint   Advertising   Guidelines

Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

A forum dedicated to Hydrofoil riders
Nak
Frequent Poster
Posts: 433
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:59 am
Kiting since: 2004
Weight: 182
Local Beach: Stevenson, WA; Rooster Rock, OR; Sauvie Island, OR; Kailua HI sort of...; Baja, MX; Ackerman Island, OR (I'm the only local kiter here...)
Favorite Beaches: Stevenson, WA; Kailua, HI; Baja; Isla de Coche; Rhodes, GR.
Style: Foil
Gear: Lift, Slingshot, Naish, Kanaha Shapes, Moses
Brand Affiliation: Lift
Location: Camas, Washington
Has thanked: 136 times
Been thanked: 121 times

Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby Nak » Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:45 pm

Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

I have ridden foil boards from Liquid Force, Kanaha Shapes and Slingshot. I’ve owned several boards from each, and currently own one KS board—the 47” model--and two Slingshot Dwarfcraft—a 120 and a 100. The 100 Dwarfcraft is currently my primary board, and I’ve ridden it quite a bit this season.

I was lucky enough to try the new foil board from Slingshot this last week—the 103 Hopecraft. This is the new high performance foil board from Slingshot due to be released any day. First off, let me say that I am not affiliated with Slingshot. The board was loaned to me, not given. I’ve already—sadly—returned the board. I was fortunate to meet Fred Hope and talk about the new board. It’s 103 cm long vs the 100 cm Dwarfcraft. It is about 3cm—I didn’t measure the width—narrower. It has more volume, 15L vs 11L, with significantly more volume in the nose compared to the 100 DC. The volume serves two purposes, it stiffens up the board and makes light wind water starts easier. There are considerably fewer inserts, but should still allow most any strap configuration. I personally ride with one front hook. The front insert placement allows the front hook to be placed about 3 or 4 cm further forward from the kick tail than the 100 DC. On the bottom the foil mount placement remains the same, although the entry notch is now at the rear of the tracks. This allows the T-nuts to be pre-installed on the mast before mounting on the board. The kick tail has a steeper angle than the old board, which makes it more prominent. There is no leash plug where as the 100 DC has a leash plug in the nose. I weighed my 100 Dwarfcraft and the Hopecraft; the Hopecraft came in about .3 pounds heavier. According to Fred, the 103 Hopecraft is stronger than the Dwarcraft and will withstand more of the kind of abuse riders like Fred Hope can dish out. That won’t be an issue with me LOL!

I’ll admit, I was skeptical about the new board being easier to waterstart in light winds. I thought the narrower width would overshadow the extra volume. I was also concerned that with the entry notch requiring a slightly more forward mast placement I wouldn’t be able to keep my rear foot against the kick tail pad—which is my preferred stance. I ride with my feet on the rails, and I assumed that the narrower width would be an issue as well. I was relieved of all concerns after riding the board.

I rode the board with a 6m UFO in conditions varying from floating in the water waiting for enough wind to start, up to the mid 20s steady state with gusts in to the 30s. I was riding a Phantasm 684 wing, a 92 Phantasm mast, a Stringy fuse along with a custom stabilizer. I weigh 185 pounds.

My very first impression on my first waterstart was “I like this board!” I was able to place my rear foot against the kick tail and put my toes under the hook, which is my preferred water foot placement. The more prominent angle on the kick tail made it easier to find and kick the board around. The more forward placement of the hook gave me more control and was a more comfortable stance. Later waterstarts in extremely light wind verified that light wind waterstarts were immensely improved over the 100 DC. I’d liken light wind water starting the Hopecraft to the 120 Dwarfcraft or the 47” Kanaha Shapes.
Once I was up on foil with my foot out of the hook, the board really came into it’s own. Linked turns became much faster. I could snap the board over quicker and more confidently. My turns became sharper and shorter. Very, very nice. After a time I noticed that I was having to make fewer minor corrections while riding and I was able to loosen up a bit. This had an immediate impact on rider fatigue. I work out my legs pretty hard on my bike 6 mornings a week, so I already have some leg burn going on when I start to kite. Typically, my legs start to tell me it’s time to quit about 15 miles into my foiling session. On my first ride on the Hopecraft I rode over 22 miles—even then I only quit because I was getting chilled. And that was after setting a personal record for both time and power output on my 11 mile bike ride that morning. So, better turns, better cruising, better water starts. Better. Much better.

One word about swing weight. I did not notice any difference between my 100 DC and the Hopecraft. You’d think I would because of the 3 cm length increase and the .3 pound weight increase. However, I think that maybe removing all of those inserts actually balanced the weight in the board better? This is only a guess on my part; all I know for sure is that I did not notice an increase in swing weight, and I could maneuver the Hopecraft faster due to the increased stiffness.

The 100 Dwarfcraft has been my favorite board all season. I love that board. This year I brought two boards to Baja, a Dwarcraft 100 and a bigger board for those sub 10 knot days. (I’m not going to say here if the big board was the 120 Dwarfcraft or the 47” Kanaha shapes—both of which are outstanding boards.) This year I’ll be bringing one—the 103 Hopecraft. As soon as I can lay hands on one, the Hopecraft will be the board I ride every day. ‘Nuff said.

EDITED TO ADD: Two things I forgot to mention. First, the 103 Hopecraft has less drag than the 100 DC during inadvertent touchdowns. It "bounces off" the water better whether you touchdown straight down or contact the side of a wave. Second, the 103 has a slightly more pronounced concave deck than the 100 DC.
20220815_161218.jpg
20220815_161431.jpg
Last edited by Nak on Wed Aug 17, 2022 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
These users thanked the author Nak for the post (total 2):
lifeinthehood (Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:01 pm) • ieism (Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:28 am)
Rating: 6.06%

grigorib
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 4146
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:12 pm
Kiting since: 2009
Local Beach: OBX; Clinton Lake, IL; Lake Michigan; Hood River; La Ventana; Ocean Park, PR; SPI; Tawas, MI
Gear: Kites: Slingshot Rally 5/7/9/11m, Turbine 9/13m, SST 4/5m, UFO 3/5/7/9m, Flysurfer Speed4 10m standard, Flysurfer 2cool 6m, Peter Lynn Venom II ARC 16m

Boards: Spleene RIP 37, Flysurfer Radical6 138, Flysurfer Flydoor5 XL, Slingshot/Moses/RDB 70/90/101cm masts with 1200/860/800/730/600 kitefoil or 2200/1700/1400 wingfoil wings and 310/230/425 stabilizers, Naish MicroChip 80cm, 36" Woody, Slingshot Dwarfcraft Micro 100, MBS Comp 95x

For sale: Slingshot Turbine 9/13m, 20” Guardian bar, 1700 sq.cm wing/fuselage/stabilizer fitting Moses mast
.
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 461 times
Been thanked: 690 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby grigorib » Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:46 pm

I need a 90 or better 80cm micro :)

thewindego
Frequent Poster
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:13 am
Local Beach: Wolfe Island
Gear: core and windego boards
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 26 times
Been thanked: 38 times
Contact:

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby thewindego » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:23 pm

What is the weight?

Nak
Frequent Poster
Posts: 433
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:59 am
Kiting since: 2004
Weight: 182
Local Beach: Stevenson, WA; Rooster Rock, OR; Sauvie Island, OR; Kailua HI sort of...; Baja, MX; Ackerman Island, OR (I'm the only local kiter here...)
Favorite Beaches: Stevenson, WA; Kailua, HI; Baja; Isla de Coche; Rhodes, GR.
Style: Foil
Gear: Lift, Slingshot, Naish, Kanaha Shapes, Moses
Brand Affiliation: Lift
Location: Camas, Washington
Has thanked: 136 times
Been thanked: 121 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby Nak » Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:39 pm

thewindego wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:23 pm
What is the weight?
TBH, I did not get a chance to weigh it before I mounted a front hook and four Stringy T-nuts in the foil tracks. Since My 100 DC was outfitted identically I could give a weight comparison. I plan on getting a retail version as soon as they're out, I'll weigh a bare one then and post that. I'll estimate 6.25 pounds right now--I'll be surprised if it's more than a couple of ounces off of that either way.
These users thanked the author Nak for the post (total 2):
thewindego (Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:48 am) • Oldman (Wed Aug 17, 2022 4:44 pm)
Rating: 6.06%

leeuwen
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 853
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:16 pm
Kiting since: 2014
Local Beach: Anything in NL
Style: Foiling around
Gear: KauperXT 11M Falcon
Ocean Rodeo aluula roam 10m / HL Crave 8m/6m
Slingshot ghost 4M
Sabfoil 1350L,633,699,671/ 83-103 kraken mast / Groove Skate L + Radical / Sabfoil T35
Lieuwe Shotgun
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 84 times
Been thanked: 316 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby leeuwen » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:13 am

Cool that you got to ride it before launch!
It seems like the product released officially today.
Weight according to the slingshot site is: 2.8KG
Length:103 cm
Width: 44 cm
Thickness: 4.4 cm

Interesting to read on the product page that it does not mention jumping at all.
The only mention regarding extra stiffness:
"The stiffest core we make! We implemented both wood and PVC stringers and a new beefed up glass layup.
This results in little to no flex when the board is under pressure during turns and or charging upwind."

I wonder what the official stance is regarding jumping with this board.

Nak
Frequent Poster
Posts: 433
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:59 am
Kiting since: 2004
Weight: 182
Local Beach: Stevenson, WA; Rooster Rock, OR; Sauvie Island, OR; Kailua HI sort of...; Baja, MX; Ackerman Island, OR (I'm the only local kiter here...)
Favorite Beaches: Stevenson, WA; Kailua, HI; Baja; Isla de Coche; Rhodes, GR.
Style: Foil
Gear: Lift, Slingshot, Naish, Kanaha Shapes, Moses
Brand Affiliation: Lift
Location: Camas, Washington
Has thanked: 136 times
Been thanked: 121 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby Nak » Wed Aug 17, 2022 3:25 pm

I edited the first post to add a couple of observations I forgot to include. Sorry!

lifeinthehood
Frequent Poster
Posts: 368
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2021 8:30 am
Kiting since: 2021
Weight: 72 kg
Local Beach: Hood River
Style: Freeride
Gear: BRM Cloud 2.8/3.7/4.8/6.2. Ocean Rodeo A-Roam 8m. Cloud CCS. Kanaha Shapes 42"/MFC 1000/200/92cm. Slingshot Hopecraft/PFH657/325/102cm.
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Hood River, OR
Has thanked: 165 times
Been thanked: 105 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby lifeinthehood » Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:16 pm

grigorib wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:46 pm
I need a 90 or better 80cm micro :)
Ask and you shall receive. Slingshot also announced the new Travel Craft v1 90: https://slingshotsports.com/products/tr ... foil-board
These users thanked the author lifeinthehood for the post (total 2):
watercamper (Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:14 pm) • grigorib (Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:29 pm)
Rating: 6.06%

User avatar
tkaraszewski
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 727
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2018 7:03 pm
Kiting since: 2015
Local Beach: Hood River/Caribbean
Style: Hydrofoil
Gear: Ozone/Levitaz
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 52 times
Been thanked: 210 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby tkaraszewski » Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:34 pm

leeuwen wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:13 am
I wonder what the official stance is regarding jumping with this board.
I mean Fred certainly jumps it plenty in the promo video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChXdRDrg ... JmNzVkMjY=

Kiterisland1
Medium Poster
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 12:24 am
Kiting since: 2013
Gear: Naish, airush, slingshot
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 31 times
Been thanked: 20 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby Kiterisland1 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:53 pm

lifeinthehood wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:16 pm
grigorib wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:46 pm
I need a 90 or better 80cm micro :)
Ask and you shall receive. Slingshot also announced the new Travel Craft v1 90: https://slingshotsports.com/products/tr ... foil-board
This looks awesome. In the video it says “one bag”. Looks like a bag for board foil maybe kites. Anyone know more about the bag?

grigorib
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 4146
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:12 pm
Kiting since: 2009
Local Beach: OBX; Clinton Lake, IL; Lake Michigan; Hood River; La Ventana; Ocean Park, PR; SPI; Tawas, MI
Gear: Kites: Slingshot Rally 5/7/9/11m, Turbine 9/13m, SST 4/5m, UFO 3/5/7/9m, Flysurfer Speed4 10m standard, Flysurfer 2cool 6m, Peter Lynn Venom II ARC 16m

Boards: Spleene RIP 37, Flysurfer Radical6 138, Flysurfer Flydoor5 XL, Slingshot/Moses/RDB 70/90/101cm masts with 1200/860/800/730/600 kitefoil or 2200/1700/1400 wingfoil wings and 310/230/425 stabilizers, Naish MicroChip 80cm, 36" Woody, Slingshot Dwarfcraft Micro 100, MBS Comp 95x

For sale: Slingshot Turbine 9/13m, 20” Guardian bar, 1700 sq.cm wing/fuselage/stabilizer fitting Moses mast
.
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 461 times
Been thanked: 690 times

Re: Slingshot 103 Hopecraft Review

Postby grigorib » Wed Aug 17, 2022 6:52 pm

lifeinthehood wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:16 pm
grigorib wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:46 pm
I need a 90 or better 80cm micro :)
Ask and you shall receive. Slingshot also announced the new Travel Craft v1 90: https://slingshotsports.com/products/tr ... foil-board
Might become my next board!


Return to “Hydrofoil”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: 20kts and 155 guests