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Low tech freeride foils

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knyfe
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Low tech freeride foils

Postby knyfe » Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:46 pm

I am wondering why we don’t see low tech freeride foils on the market. Nowadays the foils are so thick that even a good structural wood should suffice to be used as a foil core with just a thin glass lawyer for water protection.

I understand that we come from these razor thin super high performance foils wheee you have no other choice than just the best carbon to prevent breakage but if I look at my SS foil - this could have easily be done with wood and a good CNC.

What do I miss? Weight? Really? G

grigorib
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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby grigorib » Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:44 pm

I don’t think it can go lower tech than Hoverglide and comparable wings pressed at high rate and low cost. There can’t be lower tech than Hoverglide fuselage or mast. It all simple. Trying to recall name of Hoverglide knock-off with grey wings - those are even cheaper

Trent hink
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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby Trent hink » Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:50 pm

Although in some cases, wood can have properties that rival carbon (fatigue, for example, and also a very good strength to weight ratio in a good application)

Good wood is not cheap anymore.

Then there is what it costs to manufacture a product. It is much easier to squirt some chemicals into a mould than it is to select quality wood and assemble/machine it into the appropriate shape.

Our toys cost just a a small fraction of the retail price when they are manufactured in countries like China.

br44
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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby br44 » Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:11 pm

knyfe wrote:
Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:46 pm
I am wondering why we don’t see low tech freeride foils on the market. Nowadays the foils are so thick that even a good structural wood should suffice to be used as a foil core with just a thin glass lawyer for water protection.

I understand that we come from these razor thin super high performance foils wheee you have no other choice than just the best carbon to prevent breakage but if I look at my SS foil - this could have easily be done with wood and a good CNC.

What do I miss? Weight? Really? G
They are out there.
https://www.clearwaterfoils.com/

kollac
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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby kollac » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:59 am

br44 wrote:
Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:11 pm
knyfe wrote:
Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:46 pm
I am wondering why we don’t see low tech freeride foils on the market. Nowadays the foils are so thick that even a good structural wood should suffice to be used as a foil core with just a thin glass lawyer for water protection.

I understand that we come from these razor thin super high performance foils wheee you have no other choice than just the best carbon to prevent breakage but if I look at my SS foil - this could have easily be done with wood and a good CNC.

What do I miss? Weight? Really? G
They are out there.
https://www.clearwaterfoils.com/
I built a couple of these - they work :)

neilhapgood
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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby neilhapgood » Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:04 am

Is pre peg carbon any better than standard?

knyfe
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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby knyfe » Wed Jul 29, 2020 10:47 am

Oh, I was not aware of the Clearwater foils. But yes, in that direction. But I am thinking more of the higher volume foils like a space scare or the 633. Also probably quite a bit more advanced.

But you are probably right, filling a mould is probably easier nowadays than cncing wood.

Prepreg vs normal carbon, well that goes deep into the specific application. For a super light board or mast I would probably say yes (if you know how to use properly) for a low AR wing certainly not.

G

grigorib
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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

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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby grigorib » Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:12 pm

I don’t see why large thicker wings can’t come made in a mould and of plastic. I mean inexpensive, heavy yet sturdy plastic. We should forget about carbon beginner wings and transition to plastic beginner wings.

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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby evpa1g » Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:41 pm

Liquid force made the "Rocket Foil" in 2016 that had polymer wings. https://kiteridersllc.com/product/2016- ... cket-foil/

One part of the sales pitch is that it was "bomb proof". This was my first foil to learn on, and I've found it quite easy to get the hang of, especially compared to the "Happy Foil," which is the other foil I've used.

My guess for why we don't have more of these is two part:
1) Kiters and especially foilers aren't afraid to throw down "big bucks" for nice gear, so there was less demand for the "cheap stuff".
2) Manufactures can charge more for carbon foils. I wouldn't be surprised if the cost to manufacture is actually not that different. You can go on aliexpress and buy a carbon surf foil for like $300 so I'm guess you're mostly paying for "R&D" when you buy a foil from a name brand.

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Re: Low tech freeride foils

Postby Cdog » Wed Jul 29, 2020 4:29 pm

I've be riding a stringy foil for the last 4 years
I love this foil! Over my zeeko and full carbon silencer foil made by lp
Low tec cnc made from a block of g10 fiberglass
IMG_0045.JPG


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