DIY kit?

[PRCD]

For 3, it'd be amazing if we have a pool of beginner loaner gear, including a FoilDrive.

Buying used gear hasn't so far saved me any money. Wish I hadn't.

 

[saucerboy]

I'd be happy to loan my gear out to others once I'm through with it. I lucked into meeting a guy at the beach here who has generously passed along an old wing and wing board to me. I'd love to pay it forward when I can.

 

[Hdip]

I would use what you have for the time being, while constantly looking for new gear. Did you tell me where you were at? Basically talk to the people at the beach. Foilers are nice and will often let you try their gear, or have a line on other gear for cheap. If they see you're truly trying to learn, they'll help you out and find you something to use.

 

[PRCD]

A little update on my hunt and info that would maybe help someone some day.

I found a guy with a used GoFoil GT foil for sale. I spoke with Karla at GoFoil. She said that that the old tuttle masts, like mine, can often require a lot of work to get a new foil to fit it. She strongly recommended I try to find a newer mast. Good news is that the guy with the GT foil also has several masts. The bad news is that my board only has a tuttle box.

I spoke with my board maker and, while he could add a track system to my board he didn't recommend it. Plus, the cost of adding the tracks exceeds what a used prone foil board would cost. Everything is not coming up Milhouse.

If cost is a big deal, you can DEFINITELY install your own track box if you've got some epoxy laying around. I'm happy to donate epoxy to your cause/help. Seems intimidating, but if your foil boar is otherwise fine but tuttle-only, it may be worth it. I can't say whether a used board would be a better option.

https://fiberglasssupply.com/foil-dual-track-box-cassette/

My choices seem to be:

• 1. roll the dice with the GT and my mast
• 2. buy all new (to me) gear including a board
• 3. just use my current first gen gear and keep learning on that. buy new gear after I'm through the beginner phase

@Hdip have you heard any stories of people using the newer GoFoil wings on older masts?

Edit: BTW, Karla at GoFoil was really wonderful. Super helpful answering questions. Completely encouraging of me finding used gear to learn on. No hard selling, just trying to make sure I have stuff that will work. She offered to rummage around in their warehouse and find some cheaper gear for me to learn on too. Excellent customer service.

Here's how to shim wings.

 

[PRCD]

That sounds like first generation gear. Yes, anything modern within the past 2 years, preferably the last year and a half will make learning easier.

My buddy is doing a whole series on learning to wing and has a huge write up on gear here. That's his forum too.

Beginner Gear: Boards, Foils, and Wings - Episode 3 - Wingman Foil Club

I think I'm going to go to the Foil Shop to get new foils once this prone board comes.

 

[saucerboy]

Thanks for the links @PRCD and the advice @Hdip. After more thought I'm either going try a newer foil in my mast if I can get the right deal on a GT or just stick with what I have and be on the lookout for new gear.

 

[saucerboy]

Did you tell me where you were at?

I forgot to say, I'm in Santa Cruz. And yeah, I've found the foilers to be way more friendly than your average surfer.

 

[Hdip]

Probably some guys here that you could get in touch with and figure out the local used market. Beasho is a guy that's regular on other message boards. Kyle Pemberton? is up that way and does DW runs, he's on AXIS foils. AXIS is pretty good about getting guys demo gear.

Downwind Foiling Guide

San Francisco Bay Downwind Foiling Guide

sfba.org