How to choose your SROKA carbon foil?
The carbon mast is an essential component of a carbon foil , influencing the stability, control, maneuverability, and speed of your wingfoil. Its various characteristics are determined by the mast's thickness, chord, hydrodynamic profile, carbon content, and the quality of the carbon fibers.
Therefore, choosing the right carbon foil will determine its overall performance. With this in mind, SROKA offers two types of carbon masts: 14mm and 16mm. What are the differences between these two carbon masts, and how do you choose the carbon foil that best suits your needs?
What criteria should one look for in a carbon foil mast?
The stiffness of a mast is determined by various parameters such as its thickness, its chord (distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge), the hydrodynamic profile and the quantity and quality of carbon applied in the mast.
- To go fast and have an amazing glide, you need a very thin mast with very little rope.
- To have a rigid mast, you need a thick mast, with a lot of rope, and a lot of carbon.
- To have a lightweight mast, you need to use less carbon.
The reason you invest in a very expensive carbon mast is to achieve a real performance gain. So why pay the price of a carbon foil for the same performance as an aluminum mast? It doesn't make sense!
Therefore, if you are interested in a Carbon foil, you might as well invest in an excellent carbon mast with the best compromise between glide, rigidity, lightness and control.
Two opposing visions clash.
Option 1
To maintain a stiff mast at a slightly more attractive price , the mast's chord is increased and/or its thickness is increased, while the amount and/or quality of carbon fiber in the mast is decreased. In our case, we chose to increase the thickness to 16mm and reduce the amount of high-modulus M40J fiber. This compromise allowed us to achieve the same stiffness as the 14mm Elite carbon mast , but with only 60% M40J (high-modulus carbon).
Option 2
To achieve maximum performance , the chord length must be reduced as much as possible, the thickness minimized, and to do this , the amount of carbon must be increased (140 layers of carbon in our 14mm Elite mast) and the quality of the carbon fibers increased by using high modulus carbon. (Therefore, the mast is made of 100% high modulus M40 J).
The consequences of a thicker mast:
- less speed
- less glide
- It may have less rigidity (this depends on the quality of the fibers used in the mast).
- less maneuverability (due to the increased rope length)
- lower performance overall.
- The only benefit will be a lighter foil weight.
- a more attractive price
The consequences of a thinner and stiffer mast:
- more glide and speed
- more glide
- increased foil responsiveness
- more control
- greater sturdiness
- It can be used for racing, freestyle, waves or cruising.
- improved handling, especially in curves
- a slightly greater mast weight as well as its price
In summary
The 14mm Elite range mast is one of the highest performing on the market thanks to its 100% high-modulus M40J construction and 140 layers of carbon. It combines enhanced performance, optimal strength, and remarkable slimness. Investing in this quality mast guarantees lasting satisfaction, without the need to replace it to follow marketing trends. Buying a well-built €2000 mast will be more cost-effective than buying two €1700 masts that promise more stiffness than the previous model.
Conversely, if absolute performance isn't your goal, the 16mm 60% high modulus carbon mast will do the job perfectly. It will provide stiffness, strength, and durability with slightly less glide and speed compared to the 14mm Elite carbon mast.
For whom and for what purpose?
14mm carbon mast
The 14mm carbon mast is ideal for experienced riders seeking maximum performance and speed , control, and maneuverability . More specifically, the 14mm carbon mast is suitable for all foiling disciplines, but it particularly excels in surfing, jumping, pumping, wing foiling, and downwind riding, where glide and strength are paramount . Made from 100% high-modulus M40J carbon, it offers greater rigidity than the 16mm mast, both in bending and torsion. Therefore, it is recommended for freestyle, freesurfing, pumping, racing, and freeriding.
16mm carbon mast
It's ideal for riders seeking versatility and ease of use . The 16mm carbon mast is constructed with 60% high-modulus M40J and is therefore suitable for freeride, freesurf, surffoil, pumping, SUP foiling, and more. You'll feel a significant difference compared to the aluminum S-foil in terms of glide, takeoff, and precision, all at a more affordable price. In comparison, you'll experience 15% less drag compared to the aluminum S-foil.
In summary, both SROKA carbon masts are high-quality products that guarantee a new wingfoil experience. The choice between the 14mm and 16mm masts depends on your style and preferences .
If you prioritize glide and speed , opt for the Elite 14mm.
If you prefer lightness and versatility , choose the 16mm.
Whatever your choice, you will not be disappointed by the sensations your SROKA carbon mast will provide.
How to choose your fuselage?
Aluminum Fuselage: Enjoy Carbon Glide at an Affordable Price
"Do you dream of gliding on carbon masts but have a limited budget? Opt for our strong and reliable aluminum fuselage. It's the ideal choice for discovering carbon foils without breaking the bank."
Our aluminum fuselage is versatile: it's compatible with our carbon masts and all our SROKA fins and stabilizers. It has the same shape as the Elite Carbon fuselage and even offers better glide than the aluminum fuselage in the S-foil range, thanks to a 10% reduction in drag at the mast/fuselage junction. It's suitable for all skill levels.
In short, the aluminum fuselage allows you to:
- Glide with the fluidity of carbon masts, without exceeding your budget.
- Enjoy a robust and durable construction for versatile use.
- Combine our SROKA carbon masts, fins and stabilizers according to your wishes.
- Benefit from an enhanced profile for optimal performance, adapted to all levels of practice.
Elite Carbon Fuselage: The Excellence of Carbon Performance
However, if you're a seasoned snowboarder seeking maximum performance, intense sensations, and lightweight feel, our Elite Carbon fuselage is the ideal choice. Boasting top-of-the-line quality (constructed from 100% high-modulus carbon fiber for the Elite range), it's designed for experienced riders who demand exceptional responsiveness and maneuverability.
The Elite Carbon fuselage, compatible with our carbon masts as well as all our SROKA wings and stabilizers, is distinguished by its rigidity and lightness , which reduces inertia during movement. Offering an unparalleled gliding experience, it weighs only 700 grams, making it a lightweight and dynamic option.
Choosing the Elite Carbon fuselage means opting for:
- Top performance thanks to the responsiveness and maneuverability offered by carbon.
- A lighter and more rigid construction for exceptional gliding sensations.
- Full compatibility with our SROKA carbon masts, fins and stabilizers.
- An option that does not require rinsing after each session .
Ultimately, whether you choose the aluminum fuselage for its value for money or the Elite Carbon fuselage for its performance, you benefit in both cases from the same exceptional gliding sensation.
Make your choice according to your needs, your level of practice and your desires, and make the most of your skiing experience with SROKA.
How to choose your foil front wing
The shape of a front wing is characterized by its length (wingspan), its chord (the distance between the leading and trailing edges), its thickness, and its airfoil. The ratio of the wingspan to the chord gives a measurement called the aspect ratio.
Generally speaking, the higher the aspect ratio, the larger the wingspan and the shorter the chord. At SROKA, this range is called HA (High Aspect Ratio). Conversely, the larger the chord, the smaller the wingspan and the lower the aspect ratio.
A distinction must be made between low aspect ratio and medium aspect ratio foils. The aspect ratio influences the foil's turning radius, its ease of early takeoff, its control in strong winds, and its glide performance.
For more information, take a look at this article.
At SROKA, we haven't developed any wings with a low aspect ratio. All our entry-level models have an AR.6 aspect ratio, which is a medium aspect ratio.
Its moderate wingspan provides good glide, excellent performance, maneuverability in the surf, and ease of use for beginners. 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 also features a medium aspect ratio, but with faster profiles and thinner profiles, guaranteeing increased speed, glide, and foil responsiveness. This range is designed for those who want an easy-to-control foil at any speed. It's the perfect range for waves, freeriding, or anyone not seeking absolute top speed.
It's the perfect balance between maneuverability, control, and speed.
This range starts with the 1250 cm2, 950 cm2 and soon we will have the 820 and the 680 cm2 Control.
The HA range is defined by a high aspect ratio. The aspect ratio varies depending on the wing size. The 2000HA has a rear aspect ratio of 9.8, allowing you to glide with minimal effort, while the 670 cm² has a rear aspect ratio of 7.3 to reduce drag and accelerate more quickly.
The smaller the sizes you go down, the more efficient and faster the front wings will be, while maintaining exceptional stability and accessibility.
how to choose your stabilizer
The stabilizer, also called the rear wing, is a key element for stabilizing the foil. The larger the stabilizer, the more stable the foil will be, but this also means there will be more drag and therefore you will go slower. Conversely, a smaller stabilizer will stabilize the whole system less but will offer much more glide, because less drag will also allow you to go faster. At Sroka, there are four types of stabilizers available: the 300cm², the easiest in the range, perfect for beginners or riders with large front wings; the 290 HA, which will provide more stability, especially when pumping, but will be less user-friendly for beginners; the 240cm², a compromise between stability and speed, adaptable to all front wings, ideal for light wind and for those looking for comfort and speed while riding; and the 180 cm², a speed weapon, with its ultra-thin profile, will allow you to exceed your speed limits.
We offer a limited range of stabilizers because it's important to remember that using shims (to change the stabilizer angle) allows you to fine-tune it to your sailing style and body size. This also reduces the number of stabilizers needed, thus meeting everyone's needs. For more information on adjusting stabilizers with angle shims, you can click on this link.
We also have a range of aluminum foils. All our front wings are compatible with both ranges.
The choice between a carbon or aluminum foil 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, resulting in 30% less drag. It will offer slightly more maneuverability, more speed, and better glide. It's a high-performance mast that will allow you to reach speeds of up to 30 knots.
For more information on the difference between the two ranges, please refer to this article.