WIDE VS NARROW (A look at volume distribution in foil boards)

What’s up everyone,
I want to invite you to the first informative episode from The Lift Journal. In this episode I am going to talk about my experiences with wide foil boards vs narrow foil boards. The Pros and Cons of both and why one might be a better fit for your foiling experience. In this episode I will be specifically looking at an ‪@amosshapescustomsurfboards2460‬ and a Portal TM17. Although these boards vary in volume by 1 liter and 1 inch difference in height. These two boards are very unique in their own way. If you dig this episode feel free to give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel. Also please feel free to share what your favorite foil boards are as well in the comments.
As promised below is the specific dimensions that I pulled off both boards.
Portal TM17
4’5 x 17 x 3.17 x 30 liters
Nose Width: 15.5
Tail Width: 14
Nose Rocker: 3.5
Tail Rocker: 1.75
Wide point 6 inches Above Center
Planning Wide Point Area: 10.5
Mast Placement: 13.5
Weight 6
Amos Nitro
4’6 x 19.5 x 2 5/8 = 31 liters
Nose Width: 17
Tail Width: 15.5
Nose Rocker: 3.5
Tail Rocker: 2
Wide point 1 inch Above Center
Planning Wide Point Area: 13
Mast placement: 12.5
Weight 7.5
Tested with
‪@Unifoil‬
Progression 140 wing
Progression 800 mast
Progression 13.5 stab
Short Fuse
.05 shim
For the best in wetsuits and foil/wing/kite/surf accessories check out
manera.us
Follow me on INSTAGRAM / theliftjournal
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#theliftjournal #hydrofoil #surffoil #foiltheworld #progressionnotperfection #foilsurfing #unifoil #loyaltothefoil #foil #foilboard #watersport #hydrofoilsurfing #foilboarding #progression125 #theprogressionproject

[@Hdip]

The sweatshirt tease!!!

[@geoffnicholls8539]

Very interesting and very well presented👍👍. Thanks!

[@theliftjournal]

Thank you.

[@Foiljourney]

Excellent analysis!! Makes total sense. I found similar challenges when I went to my more narrow board - but lots of the benefits you highlighted.

[@theliftjournal]

It’s all about when and where to use all these different options.

[@Florida_Foil_Frothers]

Great break out comparing the 2 different shapes!

[@omenfoils]

Smooth looking turns Dave!

[@theliftjournal]

Thanks Greg

[@punchleasure]

The first half of the video makes a lot of sense to me and is very helpful. I got lost at about 4:08. How does the narrowness of the planing area influence responsiveness and front foot/back foot pressure? Once you’re on foil, other than touching down or clearance in turns, it seems like bottom contour is irrelevant. Thanks in advance for explaining this in more detail!

[@theliftjournal]

Ya. So I am talking about the narrow outline. Not the narrow bottom or planning area.

[@theliftjournal]

But with that said I do think that narrower touchdown points do have a little different feeling in pump. Technically although the volume might be the same the volume is more under your feet and not to the sides of the board.

[@youdigsurf]

interesting review !

[@stefanfuhrmann-wt3zd]

I really think this is a far too less talked about topic! It for sure took a lot of testing! May I add that I feel wider noses create more swing weight, but get on a plane very well. A narrower nose and tail give more control in higher speed. With a narrower nose you can get more pressure on the inside frontwing's tip..which is so nice bottom turning. 🤝

[@theliftjournal]

@@stefanfuhrmann-wt3zd thanks so much and I agree with everything you also stated. I personally am starting to actually like the slightly wider outline but I think it’s because of the stability when taking off.

[@stefanfuhrmann-wt3zd]

@theliftjournal I like your observations on the effect of outline, and volume distribution. I don't know if it's too far out there...but I'd even think you feel more rocker, even if the board is flying but it seems to make it more snappy in waves, even on foil. As does, in my eyes the more rounded outline. ?! Must be killer in up to head high waves👌. Keep up your good work! Thank you

[@IndonesianCall]

In other words workout get in shape right ride a narrow board 🤙🏽🍍🤓

[@theliftjournal]

I think it’s a mix of fitness, personal preference, but also what your local waves are like. For me personally I love the width of a wide board when getting up. But like the narrowness when it’s up on foil. But since this video I have also started to dabble in a touch of an offset stance. Which I don’t know if it would work with a more narrow tail. Anyway. Hope you enjoyed the video and thank you for the support.

[@markgransbury8377]

Hi great comparison. If possible could you confirm the distance from the tail to the kick pad?

[@apricotscrub]

i feel like u would notice a way bigger difference if you tried 7 other foil setups, but i understand there is a conflict of interest.

[@theliftjournal]

I could see there being some difference between 7 different foil setups. But this is designed to help with early stages of foiling. Although these two boards are on the lower liter scale of prone boards they are very different. Hopefully someone can see similar issues that I have and be guided on how to either fix or avoid them.