Suggestions on which "neutral buoyancy" foil to get.

[Peter_Frank]

Yah the carbon fuselage makes a big difference with the liquid force foil set. Also the Impluse wings add a lot of float.
But the best advice I can give is get a board with less volume so you can sink the edge. This will help you water launch with much less effort then the 20L+ boards which you really need to leverage to get on their edge.

True, if you got a heavy foil a low volume board will make it easier and give a little more time.

BUT, I will not recommend this, as you will need a lot more power to get up, so only if you like to ride powered and in lots of wind, this should be your choice.

Keep your floaty board, even if you get a smaller one which is cool when a bit more windy.
It makes a huge difference and much better in lighter winds with more volume, no matter how big your wing is

PF

[jespin4845]

Another thing is to push your mast with your rear foot under the water, simultaneously while pulling on the opposite rail of you. Whether you have a neutral foil or not, pushing the mast with your foot to get the foil on its side is 10x easier than trying to just muscle it with your arms.

[BWD]

You don’t even have to push the mast. Push the lower rail of the board. Easy if strapless. Does the same thing, and not as sharp.
I often just put knee of front leg on near edge of board, it rotates board up easily and then shift to using heel pressure to keep it vertical

[caps]

Slingshot GW 633 floats too

[oldkiter]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Spent almost an hour in a pool with board and foil. Better understanding of "sweet spot" for balancing board and bringing it up. Hope it transfers to use with kite. I've definitely got stiffer joints with age!!!

[Peter_Frank]

BUT, you dont need a hydrofoil that floats on its side really...

When I used a superheavy alufoil strapless, I had to get used to the different timing, it "sunk" down vertical a lot faster

But it was only a matter of adjusting your "muscle memory timing", tilt the board up horizontally, and then dive the kite while you place your feet on the board, a bit earlier than with a lighter foil.

Got nothing to do with stiff joints or not - really easy and just a matter of changing timing IMO.

There are also a disadvantage of "floating foils" as they tend not to be so easy retrievable after a crash, so not always a win-win eventhough lighter is in general better yes

PF

[oldkiter]

Thanks Peter. Unfortunately with age all joints get stiff except the one you wish still did!!!!

[tswierkocki]

The Cloud 9 S24 / Liquid Force Impulse wings have a lot of float. My Cloud 9 S24 and pocket board are really easy to start on.

I’m really enjoying this setup.

[Regis-de-giens]

A friend if mine experienced a strange thing with a very very light custom foil : after a fall in the water , the mast remained horizontal and the wind was catching the board. It reacted like a sail boat with its sail (the board laid on its rail ) and its keel (Hydrofoil wing). The foil was then moving faster than its swimming speed and it sailed away from him ! he was ableto recover it in the end.
Not seen with my own eyes but that seems possible .

[slowboat]

There are also a disadvantage of "floating foils" as they tend not to be so easy retrievable after a crash, so not always a win-win eventhough lighter is in general better yes

PF

I have found the opposite to be true. With a "sinking foil", after a crash, the foil goes vertical and shoots downwind quickly and you have to chase it. With a "floating foil", after the crash, the foil remains horizontal and tends to just bob in place, allowing easier retrieval.