Foilboarding FAQs: Carbon vs. Aluminum Foils

Surf Hydrofoils: Carbon vs. Aluminum. Whats best for you?

In the foil board game, there are two basic construction techniques: Full carbon and Aluminum Hybrid. Carbon is the lighter, less durable, and generally more expensive technique while Aluminum tends to be heavier, more durable, and less expensive. Which construction method is best for you comes down to a few considerations.

The first consideration for most newcomers is often the price. Getting into a new type of riding can give people a sense of uncertainty.

• Do I want to invest 2k in new gear?
• Will a lower priced foil suit my needs?
• Am I getting the right gear?
• Will I actually use this?
• Will I want something different in 6 months?

These are all valid questions when talking about a significant purchase in a new category. In hydrofoil surfing, the more expensive gear is not always the best choice. While Carbon is nice, light and shiny, it does come at a price. For some people that extra moolah may be better spent with an additional wing set for a wider range of wave types.

The main advantage of carbon [that it is] light [in] weight. Most of our carbon foils are half the weight of their aluminum counterparts. That means that the swing weight of the foil is lower and its response to your actions happens much quicker. Plus, it's easier to carry to the beach. :) We hear lots of new riders that have the impression that a lighter foil will allow you to come on foil sooner. While this might be true to a thousandth of a degree, the reality is that the few pounds shed do not offer an earlier lift-off. The real change is the feel of the carbon foil, it is not necessarily better or worse but feels more raw and precise than aluminum which is more fluid and smooth. The best comparison I could offer would be the precision of a sports car to the ride of a luxury car. The smooth and fluid feeling that Alloy hydrofoils offer is largely due to its weight. That extra momentum and ballast really smooths out the ride through choppy waters and changing currents. If you a person who is looking for the supreme connection to the board with lightning-fast feedback then the carbon hydrofoil could be a great match for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a smooth flowing ride or live in an area without pristine conditions then the Aluminum hybrid foil construction would be your ticket. In addition to the ride quality, another consideration that is of high value in this discussion is durability. 

While carbon foils are built to the highest standards, they do have a higher incidence of breaking and when they do it can be quite expensive to find replacement parts. Due to this, we recommend using extra caution near shallow water, underwater obstacles (reef, rocks, logs, etc.), and marine life due to this. Aluminum hydrofoils with composite wings are highly durable and offer fairly maintenance-free use for years to come. In our shop, we really beat on these and have yet to break a single part. Blake even hit a reef at full speed and received only a deep scrape on the front wing. If you do end up demolishing a part somehow the parts are readily available and fairly inexpensive.

So here is a quick "who's it for" to sum it up...

Carbon foils - For riders looking for a precise feel with low swing weight, large budget, and ability to use with caution.

Aluminum foils - For riders looking for a fluid ride, smaller budget, looking for the ultimate in durability and service free use.