GUNSAILS HY-FOIL FR CARBON TEST REVIEW 2024
The Verdict
The GUNSAILS HY-FOIL FR Carbon offers unbelievable amounts of lift, it never asks too much from the rider to generate flight and in the air it remains stable. Its smooth and floaty characteristics allow the rider to take their time through the gybe. Never wanting to be super powered up you will always be using the smallest rig of the day.
The Lowdown
Provided with two wings, 1050 and 1350, both wings hold a very similar shape in their respective sizes. Holding some thickness throughout most of the chord to generate plenty of lift and float, the wing shape from the centre bows up slightly before quite aggressively down turning into an anhedral shape, helping to provide stability in the foil’s yaw axis as well as preventing the wingtips from breaching when carving hard through gybes. In contrast, the Hy-Foil FR’s tail wing is mostly flat with some very subtle dihedral upturn in the wingtips. The fuselage of the Hy-Foil FR is pretty substantial and the only part that’s made of aluminium; there isn’t anything subtle about the fuselage, but the wings and mast fit and slot into it nicely. Possibly the most visibly standout component is the high modulus carbon mast. Tapering up from the fuselage, it widens from leading edge to trailing edge, so much so it’s bigger than the head and would sit flush on the board. However, to protect the board and help spread the load, an aluminium-padded plate is provided to sit between the board’s hull and the wide mast. The Hy-Foil has two other wing options than the ones we were provided, a 900 and 1500, that can also be added. The complete set is provided in a neat flat bag, which is well-padded, and each individual wing has its own cover. With so much carbon present in the Hy-Foil FR, its price point is impressive for what looks to be built to last and provide maximum lift.
Brand Claim
“This amazing foil offers unparalleled all-round performance that will leave you feeling exhilarated as you effortlessly fly through your home spot. With its advanced control, you’ll be able to take off with ease, perform lightning-fast foil gybes with confidence, and even set your own personal flight record!”
Performance
Testing both the 1050 and 1350 front wings provided back-to-back, they both offer very similar feelings in terms of lift characteristics, playfulness, and carving characteristics. Accelerating forwards, it’s immediately apparent the Hy-Foil generates an abundance of lift at low speeds, requiring very little work from the rider to promote lift. Up and foiling, the Hy-Foil FR has an incredibly floaty feel, almost like being on a cloud. Powered with a rig at least one sail size down, or for the more experienced and efficient rider, two sail sizes down, to remain in complete control with its super lifty personality, but also to match its top speed to allow the rig to go light and easy. Comfortably building speed be sure to watch the excess lift it generates instantly, get ready to get your stance and/or weight well forward to manage ride height as you manage its 85cm that is better suited to flatter conditions. Through the gybes, the Hy-Foil FR doesn’t require huge amounts of speed for it to float you round, while it responds well to a gently carving turning radius to allow for forgiveness for less than perfect footwork, as well as taking the focus away from the rig. Its lifting characteristics and low stall speed offer time to the rider to take the gybe at their pace. Not requiring such precise foot placement, it makes foil gybes accessible. For the more advanced rider, the Hy-Foil FR is easy to work through gybe variations, allowing riding in and out of the gybes switch, making you to look like a complete pro to onlookers on the beach. The Hy-Foil with either wing is the ultimate cruising machine; its impressive lift at slow speeds guarantees you to be using the smallest rig at your local spot.
GUNSAILS HY-FOIL FR CARBON TEST REVIEW 2024
VITAL STATS
Price: €999
Head: Deep Tuttle
Mast Length: 80.5cm
Mast Material: Carbon
Fuselage Length: 95cm
Fuselage Material: Aluminium
Front Wing Span: 1050 – 90cm/ 1350 – 103.5cm
Front Wing Chord: 1050 – 15cm/ 1350 – 16.9cm
Front Wing Area (Quoted): 1050cm2 / 1350cm2
Tail Wing Span: 47.7cm
Tail Wing Chord: 8.6cm
Tail Wing Area: 316cm2
Tail Wing Shims: No
Wing Material: Carbon
Weight: 1050 – 5.62kg/1350 – 6kg
OTHER FOILS IN THIS TEST
BACK TO FREERIDE WINDFOILS TEST OVERVIEW