This is my theory.

If the wind looks dubious go big.
Big wing, big board and big foil.

Just like the brochures. Flat calm and cruising around. Because it's better to be cruising around than on the beach or struggling to get on the foil.

I did use the combo that you mentioned last week for the first time in flukey conditions and was happily surprised by how little wind was needed to fly. But a big board was nice and comfy to glug on when there was no wind. A mid 90 kegger.

NordRoi said..
What i realized with a 7 or 8m(tried both, strike from f-one), is you do not need a super big foil. You can go in sub 10knts with a way smaller foil than you think and the glide is limitless once foiling!

This is the correct idea. Small HA foil and the 7/8m CWC would be an excellent light wind combo.
If Chanzy Patrice has taught me anything - water starting a 33L board in 9/10 knots is very very possible with an 8m, and then probably a HA 1000cm foil. Video for proof, but do check out how he wings sinkers in very light wind, but makes the absolute most of it. He's riding a lower aspect foil around 1200cm for most of this.www.instagram.com/p/CUf8RO7I1Dv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

If going for big foil, pick one that has lots of glide and top end.
You want to be able to create as much apparent wind as possible for your wing by going faster than the wind.
Also learn to pump for long distance in the big lulls on those conditions (and keep your wing still to catch the pumping wind).
Learn to jibe in the gusts and learn to pump the foil during the jibe.

JakeDawg69 said..
Was out on the 8m CWC last night in very low wind conditions. I was using a very big foil, Naish 2450, and it was dog slow even though it popped up easily. For pumping up on foil with the large 8m CWC, I found the best method is to reach across the wind. Do a couple slow pumps to get going. And if the wind is constant, head further downwind and point the nose of your board towards the wing tip (not directly because that would be too far downwind). Then holding the wing out in front at 45 degrees, do some very quick, short pumps. The CWC wing will start to accelerate the board very quickly. Then do a couple ab crunches ... that transfers power down into the board on the way down and as you come up you are then releasing weight from the board. No jumping around or kicking required. The crunches take care of that for you. Pretty cool sensation getting up on a board in such light conditions.

Trouble was staying up on foil through the lulls since the 2450 doesn't have any glide. You have to pump it hard through the lulls. I've been using the ab crunch technique where I use my abs instead of my arms and shoulders. Seems to transfer power to the wing and the board while my arms and legs do their thing naturally without me thinking about it.

Ive found the CWC to have a very back-hand oriented pump. The vertical / circular pump doesn't marry well with that wing.

I agree with others on the smaller high efficiency foil paired with a big wing. I have never needed a foil larger than 1250 - 1400 (which I consider to be a lightwind foil) to get up with the 7m CWC.

drlazone said..
Also learn to pump for long distance in the big lulls on those conditions (and keep your wing still to catch the pumping wind).
Learn to jibe in the gusts and learn to pump the foil during the jibe.

Excellent advice. I admired the guys doing this for a couple of months before being coordinate enough to do it (especially the pupmping the board and holding the wing still to get through lulls). I still struggle with it on my non-dominant side, but when I manage it, it feels like a super-power.

Also looking for the gusts to jibe in. Very useful advice.

(1m69 for 63kgs) I have a gong lethal at 65 liters and a starboard freewing 6.0m with a Go Foil Maliko 200 on a Kai tail, I can stand up in almost no wind using the wing tip for support in the water but it's hard hard work if the wind drops to nothing, still I have fun trying.

Or the GT2200.
I take off in 8 knots with it and CWC6m on 60L.
Way better top end than the Maliko 200, doesn't overlift as speed goes up. Cruising above wind speed in those winds. I think someone top speed was 20 knots.

(a bit off topic but I nearly bought a Deep board, love those guys sup vids from the pre foiling era)

I hate slogging, pumping, riding underpowered ... I find it hard work that wrecks the fun ... so in marginal winds I err on side of the 3-part combo: big wing, big foil, big board. And then if conditions support it, upgrade one variable at a time. But I generally prefer to be over-gunned and holding on vs barely able to make it work ... I know not everyone agrees.

My big wing is Ocean Rodeo 6m ... when the wind picks up it's a beast at 18kt, I find a harness really helps take the heat off. I imagine an 8m would be barely manageable above 15kt.

My all-around board is 90L.

My big foil is GoFoil GL240...1875cm2. I used to have Maliko200 too, the difference is pretty interesting, they both get up in near nothing, but the M200 pumps up vertical, the GL240 taxis and takes off more horizontal, like a jumbo jet. My step down is PNL185 (1300cm2) and then RS1150 daily driver.

The other variable is the stab....a bigger rear fin can make a big difference too in getting up quick in light wind.

PS Wave lover question: with decent surf I will try in the 8-10kt range with my 3XBig quiver. Though slogging in 8kt, I may opt for the surf foil instead. With no surf, I'd have to be pretty desperate to bother if sub 12kt, as the ride is often not worth the work.