In the first part of “Playing with Super Cruiser” I described how it (didn’t) work for me as a low wind playful comfort foil. The main problem was that the weight should be far more back than I am used to, and honestly, far more back than I am able to do without struggling. Increasing a lift with +1 shim helped a bit, but not significantly.

The next test was on the stronger wind: between 15 and 20 knots. I installed back shim zero and reduced the sail to 7,0 (although I could make it with 6,4 just fine). The rest was the same: Super Cruiser front wing 1700, tail wing 330, Evolution classic 102 fuselage, 85 cm aluminum mast.

What happened? Well, it worked much better on the fly. You would think that the 1700 front wing is way too big for such wind force, but it was all right. I was in control all the time, leaning back, with only a few touchdowns. Turning was also better, although I had to adjust my footwork. Instead of putting my front foot nearer the front strap while turning, I had to push all the way back, almost on the back strap on the other side. And, the sail base was all the way back – I mean, all the way, 100%.

I managed to enjoy myself, but again, this is probably not what this foil should be about. Overall, I was going slower than I expected from previous light wind sessions. Obviously, that foil has its limitations. I remember thinking to myself how, in that wind, small freeride foil would give me much more pleasure. But, ok, if Super Cruiser would be all I have, I could be happy with it, gradually learning how to ride it in all conditions. Maybe that’s the greatest advantage of such a foil: it could be one-for-all foil, working for me anytime, light or strong wind, of course, with necessary adjustment.

There is one more thing I want to try: switch the fuselage from Classic 102 to regular Evolution 105.

With standard Evolution fuselage 105, the Super Cruiser’s front wing is some 13 centimeters more forward towards the middle part of the board. That should give a much more lift-up than with Evolution classic 102 fuselage.

And surely it did! The fourth session was in light wind conditions (10-13 knots) and 8,2 sail. No problem with lifting up. The feeling is very floaty; turns are perfect, without touchdowns. However, this setup is much slower than with Classic fuselage. I don’t know why, but everything was done as in slow motion. But it was nice. For me, much better than before.

However, the fifth session was a disappointment. The wind was strong – from 18 to 25 knots, even more in gusts. I used a 6,4 sail, and it was occasionally too big. While I am sure that with the previous setup, I could manage that kind of wind, it was not possible now. The foil was simply too big. I had to struggle to keep the board down.

Conclusion: Evolution fuselage 105 works with Supre Cruiser only in light winds. In stronger winds, it is uncontrollable. Remember that with Evolution Classic 102 fuselage, I was able to handle the foil in stronger wind conditions.

Obviously, there is a reason why Starboard delivers this foil with the classic fuselage. My hope that standard 105 (or maybe 95, which I didn’t have) would improve the situation with to-far-back feelings and touchdowns was futile. However, in session three and later sessions, I did adjust my position and somehow get in “touch” with the Super Crouser. I think it is just a matter of getting used to different positions and trimming the whole setup right.

In spite of initially not clicking with that foil, after five sessions, I came to appreciate its value. If I were restricted to owning only one foil, I think I would choose that one. The reason: I can use it literary in any condition, light or strong winds, with necessary adjustments. No other foil until now proved to be so universal.

However, being universal and usable for everything also means it is not particularly good for anything (except maybe for dedicated freestylers who want floating maneuverability). If you are not among such, I suppose it would be ideal for starting or for those who do not care about the details of foiling and just want to spend some time in the air, try new things, or examine the entrance into the world of foiling.

As I wrote, if I were restricted to using only one foil, this is the one I would choose. But, since I am not in such a position, well, you know… I’ll keep playing!