There are a lot of new foil boards coming out this year and some brands are even floating two 91cm wide boards, the "traditional" course racing boards with square outlines and maximum tail width, and a new crop of PWA 91 wide slalom boards with narrower tails and foot straps about 5cm to 10cm closer to the centre line (ie from each side).
I am wondering if this makes the new foil slalom board closer to an 85cm fin board in terms of foot position and feel in the air!
Can a similar feel be achieved by riding a coarse board with feet closer to the centre? and what is the best way to retro-fit foot strap inserts?
I have the JP foil slalom and it feels a lot bigger than the JP Hydrofoil 135. It feel less nimble in the air and takes more effort to keep flying round gybes. I am going to change it to the new Patrik foil comp 91 V2.
While you don't feel the extra 40 ltrs volume while flying you notice the thicker rails which can save you if you touch down while the board is banked over. The thick rails don't sink in so much.
I would post some comparison photos but still being new on the forum I am not trusted yet.
After my success at repairing my FMX 91 course racing board I'm contemplating adding some new footstrap inserts inboard to make the sailing position more suited to slalom...
I found 2 hole and massive 5 hole versions. The problem is I have no idea where they should go!
www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/product/chinook-footstrap-inserts-5-hole
For tips on building refer to the board lady.
boardlady.com/extrainserts2.htm?fbclid=IwAR2O_-qgx15x1v82TRSH6vEfQjVPk75fsxX3z05jprhH2AqHQ_VRKLs026E
The slalom boards have a tucked in tail. How different is this from the IQFoil board with chicken straps towards the centerline?
I think the slalom boards are about 38cm apart and the foil-slalom boards have back straps about 48cm apart, while the course boards are 68cm apart give or take for various brands. The chicken straps look to be only 8cm apart...