Windsurf foiling combines rig care with the decisive foil topic: the foil is metal in salt water and corrodes without care, and it sits under high load via the Tuttle box. Here’s the honest routine, part by part: what to use, what to watch for, how to dry, and where to store it over winter.
The 5-minute routine after every session
- Rinse: rig, mast foot, board, foil and wetsuit with fresh water , the foil especially thoroughly.
- Get the sand out: of the mast ferrule, Tuttle box and screws.
- Dry: airy and in the shade, only pack it away dry.
Rig, sail & mast
For the sail, mast, boom and mast foot the same applies as in windsurfing: de-rig dry, roll loosely, keep the mast ferrule salt-free and check the mast foot joint. The detailed guide is in Caring for and maintaining your windsurf gear.
The foil: the most important part
- What to use: plenty of fresh water, the right Allen/Torx key, some anti-seize, a torque wrench helps.
- What to watch for: check all screws and the Tuttle box bolts for corrosion and a firm fit. Aluminium foils with stainless screws tend to suffer contact corrosion , the screws seize.
- After salt water: rinse the foil thoroughly. Loosen the screws regularly, clean them, reset them with anti-seize. Dry the mast/fuselage/wing joints.
- Drying & storage: dry it off completely, caps on mast and wings, store in a padded foil cover, dry and protected from knocks.
Mum says: The Tuttle box is under high load , check the bolts regularly and set them with anti-seize. A seized or loose screw is not something you want to discover out on the water.
Board & wetsuit
- Board: Tuttle/foil box and mast track clean and tight, screws corrosion-free, seal small dings.
- Wetsuit: rinse cold, dry through on a wide hanger in the shade (wetsuit calculator, musty smell).
Storing it away: the winter check
- Dry everything completely, store no part damp.
- Loosen the foil and Tuttle screws, clean them, reset them with anti-seize.
- Sail rolled loosely, check the mast foot joint, foil with caps in the cover.
- In spring: check screws and torque, check joint and lines.
In short: what really matters
- Rinse everything, the foil especially thoroughly.
- Loosen foil and Tuttle screws regularly and reset them with anti-seize.
- Care for the rig as in windsurfing, check the mast foot joint.
- Foil with caps in the cover, dry and protected from knocks.
- Rinse the wetsuit cold and dry it gently.
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