LE MAGAZINEHow to choose your Foil carbon SROKA?
How to choose your Foil carbon SROKA?
The carbon mast is an essential element of a foil carbon wingfoil, influencing stability, control, handling and speed. These different characteristics are determined by the thickness, the chord of the mast, the hydrodynamic profile of the mast, the quantity of carbon and the quality of the carbon fibers.
Consequently, choosing the right Foil carbon mast will determine the overall performance of your foil. With this in mind, SROKA offers two types of carbon mast: 14mm and 16mm. What are the differences between these two carbon masts, and how can you choose the foil carbon mast best suited to your needs?
What criteria do you look for in a carbon mast from Foil?
The stiffness of a mast is determined by various parameters, such as its thickness, chord (distance between leading and trailing edge), hydrodynamic profile and the quantity and quality of carbon applied in the mast.
- To go fast and glide like crazy, you need a very thin mast with very little rope.
- To have a rigid mast, you need a thick mast, with lots of rope, and lots of carbon.
- To have a light mast, you need less carbon.
But if you invest in an expensive carbon mast, it’s to get a real performance boost. So why pay the price of a Foil carbon mast to get the same performance as an aluminum mast? It just doesn’t make sense!
So if you’re interested in a foil carbon mast, you might as well invest in an excellent carbon mast with the best compromise between glide, stiffness and lightness and control.
Two opposing visions clash.
Option 1
For maintain a rigid mast at a slightly more attractive priceIn our case, we chose to increase the thickness to 16mm and reduce the amount of high-modulus fiber in the mast. In our case, we chose to increase the thickness to 16mm and reduce the amount of high-modulus M40J fiber. This compromise enabled us to be as stiff as the 14mm Elite carbon mast, but with only 60% M40J (high modulus carbon).
Option 2
To search maximum performancethe chord must be reduced as much as possible, and the thickness reduced as much as possible. we need to increase the amount of carbon ( 140 layers of carbon in our 14mm Elite mast) and increase the quality of the carbon fibers by using high modulus carbon. (So the mast is 100% high-modulus M40 J).
The consequences of a thicker mast:
- less speed
- less glide
- perhaps less rigidity (depending on the quality of the fibers used in the mast)
- less manoeuvrability (due to increased rope length)
- less performance in general.
- The only gain will be a lighter weight foil
- a more attractive price
The consequences of a thinner, stiffer mast:
- more glide and speed
- more glide
- more responsiveness from foil
- more control
- greater strength
- can be used for racing, freestyle, waves or cruising.
- greater manoeuvrability, especially in curves
- slightly heavier mast weight and price
In a nutshell
The Elite range’s 14 mm mast is one of the most powerful on the market, thanks to its 100% high-modulus M40J construction and 140 layers of carbon. It combines enhanced performance, optimal strength and appreciable thinness. Investing in this quality mast guarantees lasting satisfaction, without having to change it to keep up with marketing trends. Buying a well-built 2000-euro mast will be more cost-effective than buying 2 1700-euro masts that promise you more stiffness than the previous model.
If, on the other hand, absolute performance is not your goal, the 16 mm 60% high modulus carbon mast will do the trick just fine. It will give you rigidity, strength and durability, with a little less glide and speed than the 14mm Elite carbon mast.
For whom and for what use?
14mm carbon mast
The 14mm carbon mast is ideal for experienced riders looking for maximum performance and speed , control and maneuverability. More specifically, the 14mm carbon mast is suitable for all foil disciplines, but is particularly suited to surfing, jumping, pumping, winging and downwind riding, where glide and strength are most important. It’s made from 100% M40J high-modulus carbon. As a result, it offers greater stiffness than 16mm in both bending and torsion. Recommended for freestyle, freesurf, pumping, race and freeride.
16mm carbon mast
It’s ideal for riders looking for versatility and ease of use. The 16mm carbon mast is built with 60% high modulus M40J and is therefore suitable for freeride, freesurf, surffoil, pumping, supfoil… You’ll feel a clear difference with the S-foil Alu, in terms of glide, start and precision at a more affordable price. In comparison, you’ll gain 15% less drag than the S-foil in Alu.
In short, SROKA’s two carbon masts are quality products that guarantee a new wingfoil experience. The choice between 14mm and 16mm depends on your style and preferences.
If you prefer glide and speed, opt for the Elite 14mm.
If you prefer lightness and versatility, choose 16mm.
Whatever your choice, you won’t be disappointed by the sensations your SROKA carbon mast will give you.
How to choose your fuselage?
Aluminium Fuselage: Enjoy Carbon Glide at an Affordable Price
“Do you dream of the glide of carbon masts, but have a limited budget? Opt for our solid, reliable aluminum fuselage. It’s the ideal choice for discovering carbon foils without breaking the bank.
Our aluminum fuselage is versatile: it fits our carbon masts and all our SROKA fins and stabilizers. It has the same shape as the Elite Carbon fuselage, and even glides better than the aluminum fuselage of the S-foil range, thanks to a 10% reduction in drag at the mast/fuselage junction. Suitable for all riding levels.
In short, the aluminum fuselage allows you to :
- Glide with the fluidity of carbon masts, without breaking your budget.
- Enjoy robust, durable construction for versatile use.
- Combine our carbon masts, fins and SROKA stabilizers to suit your needs.
- Benefit from an improved profile for optimum performance, adapted to all levels of practice.”
Fuselage Elite Carbone: Performance Excellence in Carbon
On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned rider in search of maximum performance, intense sensations and lightness, our Elite Carbon fuselage is the ideal choice. Featuring top-of-the-range quality (100% high modulus construction for the Elite range), it is designed for experienced riders who demand exceptional responsiveness and handling.
The Elite Carbon fuselage, compatible with our carbon masts as well as all our SROKA fins and stabilizers, is distinguished by its rigidity and lightness, which reduces inertia in movement. Weighing in at just 700 grams, it offers an unprecedented gliding experience, making it a light and dynamic option.
Choosing the Elite Carbone fuselage means opting for :
- Top performance thanks to the responsiveness and maneuverability offered by carbon.
- Lighter, stiffer construction for exceptional gliding sensations.
- Full compatibility with our carbon masts, fins and SROKA stabilizers.
- An option that does not require rinsing after each session.
In the end, whether you choose the aluminum fuselage for its value for money or the Elite Carbon fuselage for its performance, you’ll enjoy the same exceptional gliding sensation in both cases.
Make your choice according to your needs, your level and your desires, and make the most of your riding experience with SROKA.
How to choose your wing before foil
The shape of a front wing is characterized by its length (span), chord (the distance between leading and trailing edge), thickness and profile. The ratio of span to chord gives a measurement known as aspect ratio.
Generally speaking, the higher the aspect ratio, the greater the span and the fewer the chords. At SROKA, we call this range HA (High Aspect ratio). Conversely, the more generous the chord, the smaller the span and the lower the aspect ratio.
A distinction must be made between low aspect ratios and medium-aspect ratios. The aspect ratio influences foil’s radius of curvature, its ability to start early, its controllability in strong winds and its gliding ability.
For more information, take a look at this article.
At SROKA, we haven’t developed a wing with a low aspect ratio. All our beginner ranges have an AR.6 aspect ratio, which is a medium aspect ratio.
Its moderate wingspan provides good glide, with excellent performance, surf maneuverability and ease of entry. It’s the perfect compromise for easy progression.
The Classic range for beginners comes in three sizes: 2000 cm2, 1750 cm2 and 1500 cm2.
The Control range is also a mid-range aspect ratio, but with faster profiles and thinner thicknesses that guarantee more speed, glide and responsiveness from foil. This range is designed for people who want an easy foil that can be controlled at any speed. It’s the perfect range for wave riding, free riding or anyone not looking for absolute Vmax.
It’s the perfect balance of handling, control and speed.
This range starts with the 1250 cm2, 950 cm2 and soon we’ll have the 820 and 680 cm2 Control.
The HA range is defined by high aspect ratio. The aspect ratio varies according to wing size. The 2000HA will have an AR aspect ratio of 9.8, allowing you to glide with the least effort, while the 670 cm2 will have an AR aspect ratio of 7.3 to reduce drag and accelerate more strongly.
The smaller you get, the faster and more powerful the front fenders will be, while maintaining outstanding stability and accessibility.
how to choose your stabilizer
The stabilizer, also known as the tail fin, is a key element in stabilizing the foil. The larger the stabilizer, the more stable the foil will be, but this also means that there will be more drag, so you won’t go as fast. On the other hand, a smaller stabilizer will stabilize the unit less, but will offer much more glide, as there will be less drag, and may also enable you to go faster. At Sroka, there are four types of stabilizer available: the 300cm², the easiest of the range, perfect for beginners or riders with big front fins; the 290 HA, which will bring more stability, especially when pumping, but will be less easy to use for beginners; the 240 cm², a compromise between stability and speed, adaptable with all front fins, ideal for light wind and for people looking for comfort and speed when sailing; and the 180 cm², a speed weapon, with its ultra-thin profile, it will enable you to exceed your speed limits.
We have a small range of stabilizers, because it’s important to remember that the use of adjusters (to change the angle of the stabilizer) will enable you to adapt it even better to your sailing style and size. This also reduces the number of stabilizers you need, so you can meet all your needs. For more information on adjusting stabilizers with angle shims, click on this link.
We also have a range of foil in Aluminum. All our front fins are compatible with both ranges.
The choice of a foil carbon or a foil alu mast will be determined by price and performance level. An aluminum mast will be thicker and generate more drag, but will be very rigid. A carbon mast from the Elite range will be 30% thinner, so there will be 30% less drag. It will provide a little more maneuverability, speed and glide. It’s a high-performance mast that will enable you to reach speeds of up to 30 knots.
For more information on the difference between the two ranges, see this article.
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