Bee 7'8 - which foil to choose?

ao155

Hi Craig,
I just ordered the new Bee 7'8 and was wondering which foil to choose. I am 175cm, 65kg, experienced windsurfer, surfer and SUPer, just learning to use a 5m wing, but never foiled so far. I would mostly use the board for wingfoiling and windfoiling on the lakes in bavaria when the wind is too low for proper windsurfing. Which foil would you suggest as the best compromise for both winging and windsurfing, as well as learning vs. fun on the longterm?
Many thanks in advance for your guidance!
Andreas

craig

Hi Andreas,

As per the PM on Facebook - if you will be Wingfoiling more, then take the Aero 1750 for your weight, skills and wing size. For mainly windsurfing, I would go for either the Flow 1500 for mainly light winds, or the Flow 1000 for most conditions except super light winds. Ideally with foiling you should have 2 front wings for the biggest range possible. I think as a combo for both, probably the higher speed of the WS foil is better, but then you need a bigger size for winging - so if only one - then Flow 1500...?

ao155

Hi Craig,

Sorry, I didn't realize it was you on facebook :-D

Thanks for your advice! I will then start with the Aero High Aspect 1750/300 and AL750/800. In my understanding, it is not possible to mount a Flow wing on an Aero Mast and Fuselage, which means that I may need an additional Aero High Aspect 1250/250 once I get better in wingfoiling or for windfoiling, right? I'd like to avoid buying another full foil set, but rather just exchange the front (and back?) wing...

What windsurfing sail sizes do you recommend for the Bee 7'8 in light winds (3-4 bft)? Should a wave sails be enough to get on the foil, or would you rather suggest larger freerace sails?

Thanks,
Andreas

craig

ao155 Hi Andreas, no problem, lots of questions on different platforms, keeps us busy...besides "day time job" :-)

You can use the same mast for Winging and Windsurfing. That is the only part right now which is compatible unfortunately, although we are working on this for next generation. The 1250 would be a bit smaller for the Bee for winging, but for windfoiling will work quite nicely. As I said Bernd Flessner is using the Bee 7'8" with a 5.3 Hero and 6.2 Super Session and loving it...the bigger sails will work, but generally a smaller sail with a bit of active pumping is actually a lot nicer for foiling, unless you are a high performance foil board, which needs bigger sails.

ao155

Hi Craig,
sorry, just to make sure: can I mount the Flow Wings on the Aero Fuselage?
Thanks for your help!
Andreas

craig

Hi Andreas, no not at the moment - we are working on compatibility for next year, where the Flow wings will fit onto the Aero fuselages/will have the same fuselage fitting for Flow as Aero - but this will only be in Spring/Summer next year.

ao155

Hi Craig,
I hope you are doing well down in Cape Town!

One more question on the Bee 7'8:
I am looking for a boardbag for when I carry it on the roof occasionally, when inside the van is too packed like on holiday trips... Is there any particular boardbag from Fanatic/ION that would fit the boards shape and size quite well, so that it doesn't make so much noise on the roof? I saw a 2020 ION stubby boardbag with 238x78cm, but I can't get that one anymore and don't find a 2021 model that seems to fit size and shape of the Bee 7'8... any thoughts? Thanks!

Cheers from Munich,
Andreas

motogon

Interested in same set up too. I'm heavier, around 83-85 kg. Can I use Aero HA foils, say 1250 - 1750, for both wing and wind foiling?

craig

motogon Hi there, you can use them for sure for Winging, for windfoiling they are ok, obviously not quite as fast as the Flow windsurf wings, but plenty fast enough to just cruise around on. Generally as a guide, you can use much smaller wings for windfoiling than wingfoiling, as the sail generates way more lift and power than a wing.

craig

Hi Andreas

Thanks, back from Cape Town, they shut the beaches unfortunately, but had quite a few good wing days and some good windsurfing in December, now back in lockdown and snow..:-)

so according to the ION board bag finder info I have:

Bag should be the SUP/Wingfoil Core Stubby in size
8´10 x 31,5
270 x 80

Sounds a bit long obviously, but that is the best we can do for now.

motogon

craig Yes, I should add: my goal is maneuverable light wind cruising and small wave sailing. I assume for that purpose AERO HA foils would work.

craig

hi Motogon, that's fine yes!

ao155

Thanks Craig! Yes, lot's of snow now in Germany :-)
I took the Bee 7'8 for a paddle on Pilsensee today - obviously not what the board was designed for, but even that works ok and it was a nice workout ;-)
You and your team did a great job on the Bee, it is really a swiss army knife!

craig

Hi Andreas,

Brave man in 0°...:-) am still in quarantine here in Munich - yep that is a really fun board, glad to hear it works for you even on flat water! Good job to Sky!