Our Wingfoil Gear Progression Part 1

Part 1: Our Wingfoil board progression

Part 2: Our Foils progression

Part 3: Our inflatable wings

Ready to jibe together, June 2024. Frame Grab Liz Baylis

Part 1: Our Wingfoil board progression

What wingfoiling gear should I buy? When I am asked this loaded question, I can answer only based on what has worked for us. And from knowing what friends have used that did and did not work.

One thing that makes the whole process easier, and more fun is to learn with a friend. Learning with someone else is a pleasure, since life is about what we share with others. 

There are a lot of ways to look at starting.  We did not want to take lessons.  There is always the lesson options, if that works for you great, go for it.  For us working together is a lesson each time we go out.  Then adding our foiling group the second year has added to the sharing experiences and information.  But do what is right for you, not everyone is great at self teaching.  And not all information is accurate.

How did we pick the right board to make foiling easy.  Knowing board/hull design as a naval architect, and having designed a lot of small craft.  I went for easy to learn gear for our first round, knowing we would progress in steps.  I see too many people just buy what is cheap used, and have a hard time learning.  We were teased by some saying we were on training wheels.  Well, maybe but we are foiling while you are crashing.  Do what is right for you and not what pundits say.

Armstrong 132 Ltr boards in our first season of foiling.

There are a lot of great brands, so what ever brand you buy make sure it is quality gear.  You will learn quicker and it will be easier to sell when you upgrade. Pick a company you researched that has a full line from beginner to expert.  Knowing you will be in their system for the long run.  It is expensive if you keep switching brands, except for the inflatable wings, since they don’t last long.

No matter what company for your first board choice, go big.  We started with all Armstrong brand gear.  I think their designs are superior in a lot of ways.  They build gear for the beginner, recreational, and expert riders, they are not only about the top end of the sport. Our first boards were Armstrong FG 6’-4” – 132 ltr boards.

Our 132 Ltr boards ready for foiling in Woods Hole, MA

That is a huge board, but we started in light wind, got a feel for the board.  Worked on displacement jibes.  After about five days of light wind we kept going in more breeze.  I can remember the at day seven (after five days of displacement light wind sailing) we were foiling.  Getting those early rides was so much fun, and our gear was stable, easy take off, easy landing.  

Learning on 132 Ltr board

We foiled on those boards for 54 days making great progress.  We could go out for over and hour and not fall.  But there was a time at 40 days when we felt the boards were too big.  But with a trip coming up we waited till we were back and had the next size down boards on the way.  At that point the first boards sold in two days.  Good gear sells well used, just be realistic about the selling price.

Huge drop in size from 132 Ltr to 88 Ltr board.

The second round of boards were also Armstrong FG boards.  Carol went to a 5’5″ x 27″ x 4.75″ Vol:88 Ltr board and I went to 5’8″ x 28″ x 4.875″ Vol:99 Ltr board. Considering our weight different that seemed right to us. 

On our 88 and 99 ltr boards at Block Island, Photo Copyright Liz Baylis
Carol on FG 88 Ltr board, Photo copyright Liz Baylis

Remember that flotation has to include weight of the board, foils, wing, you, what you wear when it is wet.  So it is not just your weight.  Below is an estimate I use when looking at board volume.

A lot of variables with these numbers, flotation density, laminate weight, paint, filler, deck pads, foil track.  I find this helpful when choosing volume. 

So to give board numbers.  Carol went from 132 Ltr board to an 88 Ltr board, dropping 44 liters in volume, I dropped 33 ltrs.  Each Liter of volume is (1 KG) 2.204 lbs of floatation.  

So Carol dropped 97 lbs of flotation, I dropped 73 lbs of flotation.  That is huge and in our opinion you need to be ready with the skills to make that transition fun and easy.  

Armstrong FG 99 Ltr board, photo copyright Liz Baylis

Also the boards were shorter and narrower.  This was an adjustment for us and one we were ready to make.  It did take us a day, and bingo we were already happy with the change.  Less swing weight, less weight in general.  But the flotation means you have to just be better with your balance, getting up and flying.  Also getting up in waves there is a lot less board when you fall and have to get back up.  But all good, and we loved them.

We learned how to jibe, play in waves, use harness, and go a lot faster on these boards.

So we made two shifts here after learning a great lesson.  We went to Armstrong 2024 FG 5’2″ x 22.75″ x 4.5″ Vol:80 ltr for Carol, and 5’4″ x 23.5″ x 4.875″ Vol:90 ltr for me.  

FG 2024 80 Ltr, 90 Ltr boards

It was early spring (Late March in Rhode Island) when we started on these boards.  Water temp was 42 deg F.  On the first two choppy days we had a hard time getting up and going.  The boards are a bit narrower and with less volume so we were at the water surface with all of our gear on.  This made it harder for both of us.  So after eight days of foiling we knew the boards were just a bit too small for our foiling style. 

Our Armstrong 2024 FG board line up, 105, 90, 80.

The point is if the board is just at water level it is harder to keep stable.  If it is a sinker it is easier to keep stable, and if it is above the water it is easier to keep stable.  We do not want sinker boards, too many summer days when you have to paddle home.  So at this point I ordered the Armstrong 2024 FG 5’8″ x 25.25″ x 5″ Vol:105L.  That would let Carol go to the 5’4″ x 23.5″ x 4.875″ Vol:90L.  That is very close to our previous boards volumes, but narrower and release from the water a lot sooner.  The FG 80 ltr board sold in days for a great price for buyer and seller.

Carol at speed in 20 kts of wind on 2024 FG 90 Ltr board, Frame grab Liz Baylis
Paul mid jibe on 2024 FG 105 Ltr board in 20 kts of wind. Frame Grab Liz Baylis

Next time we went foiling on the size up we were both doing things we have never done before foiling.  Boards are perfect fit for both of us.  Once flying they feel small and are Armstrong stiff with great construction.  We both feel they are a prefect fit.  We are not big surf breaking wave riders.  If the waves are chest high we are being pushed and love it.  But more than that for now we find a flatter spot.

Ready for dual jibe in 20 kts of wind on 2024 FG boards. Frame Grab Liz Baylis

We now have 74 days foiling on these board and they just feel perfect.  Our recommendation is go big to learn and buy great gear. You will learn quicker, be happier, and foil sooner.  All great things, and the gear will sell sooner when you are ready to move to smaller board.  Or maybe just stay with the bigger board and be happy.  Boards make a huge difference and don’t let people tell you different.

Next post will be on foil choice, and what we think has been the perfect progression.

Have Fun Every Day, See you Soon, Paul

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