FAQ Ketos

Why choose a carbon foil?

Composite carbon fiber construction has many advantages. Some characteristics of this method are:

• Superior strength to weight ratio
• High tensile strength in twist, flex and compression
• A high modulus of elasticity i.e. a high rigidity
• Low density
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Good temperature resistance
• Durability: an impact, scratches, an encounter with a pebble or a turtle? Often, a repair in our workshop will save your foil.

Why are carbon foils more expensive than aluminum foils?

The manufacturing processes between aluminum foils and carbon foils differ greatly. Let’s take the example of a mast : To produce aluminum masts, you select a profile and make a die to extrude masts in mass, which are then cut to the desired length. To produce a carbon mast : you select a profile, make a 2 part mold, calculate the lay up schedule for the desired strength. This is a part by part production, requiring one mold set per size and by hand lay up. It is a longer, more expensive production, but in return the product is more resistant, lighter, repairable, and therefore durable. Maintenance is simpler (no corrosion problem). A carbon foil retains it’s resell value much better on the second-hand market.

How to choose my KETOS rear wing ?

We have a large range of stabilizers. Depending on your lever, on your practice…some kitefoil rear wings are more suitable than others. To help you choose your rear wing, consult our stabilizers guide

How does the foil work?

The practice is easy to understand from a fluid dynamics perspective. It’s simple. The foil works just like an airplane. As the foil advances, the water molecules above the foil are accelerated to arrive at the same time as those which pass below the foil, on the shortest side. As a result, the water molecules on the top side of the foil are faster than those on the bottom side. The acceleration of the water molecules located on top causes a depression and therefore a suction force on the foil which transmits a lift force to the board.

How to choose your first foil and board?

Several criteria should be taken into account:

• your weight
• the body of water on which you will kite
• Your skill level
• Freeride or speed ?
• To begin with we advise either the front wing (Wave XL or 1200V2) combined with a freeride stabilizer (Karver L or S Freeride) and a short mast. To discover the starter pack, it’s here.

What range of products does KETOS offer ?

The KETOS range offers foils for all levels, from beginners to experts. Our goal is to support you in your progress thanks to the upgrade possibilities of our products. Some configurations will allow you to get started smoothly. Because intuitive kite flying is essential before learning to foil, we recommend school lessons at the start. If your budget does not allow you to buy a new foil, sometimes we have used gear for sale which can be less expensive than an aluminum foil. These can be found here.

Do you have international resellers / distributors ?

We prefer direct contact with our customers. We can advise, sell and deliver worldwide, through this online store in particular. Selling directly allows us to have contact with the end user and to be attentive to the evolution of the sport. In this way we can develop a foil that responds to the desire and the skill level of the greatest number, never forgetting our leitmotif: comfort and accessibility. But at this time we do have three long-standing partners, who will be able to advise you in Italy (ProServices), in Canada (Concept Air) and in Martinique (Airfly) for the French Antilles.

Are KETOS foils compatible with my board?

If your board is fitted with US rails, you can screw the KFBox-Out plate onto your board to attach your KETOS foil. Center hole to hole is 90×165 mm. Each manufacturer has its own geometry and specifications and the compatibility between different brands is not always working. The consequences may be as follows, changing your stance positions, the use of shims, wedges. This is why we recommend using KETOS foils with KETOS boards, which are perfectly suited.

What is the difference between the Freeride 2 and Wave XL front wings ?

Freeride 2: better upwind / faster acceleration / larger turning radius Wave XL: tighter turns / more pitch stable / earlier low wind takeoff

What is the difference between the 1200V2 and Wave XL?

The 1200V2 is like a wave XXL, providing the same type of sensation with 1.5 times its surface. The objective with the 1200 V2 Kool is to offer a light wind and extra-light wind wing which takes off very early and but remains manageable and playful despite its size. You will be amazed by its upwind ability and glide ! It can be used from 4-5 knots of wind, allowing you to kite underpowered (our riders sometimes use it with 4m2) The 1200V2 will take off a little bit earlier

100 RFx mast vs 100 RKC mast

These two masts have very distinct profiles. The 100 RFx mast profile is designed to minimize ventilation. It has increased chord on the top to provide more surface area and stability going upwind. It is easy, tolerant and fast providing confident sessions. It is suitable for long distance and FreeRide The design and outline of the 100 RKC mast make it suitable for wave and freestyle practice. Its strong points: maneuverability and tighter turns. In the case of crossed swell, and in tight chop, it is better than the RFx.

1KETOS boards by KAKOO vs KETOS by KETOS, what are the differences?

Ketos by Kakoo boards have a KETOS provided design, but are made in the Kakoo workshop, located in Montpellier, South of France. Materials used and the manufacturing processes are not the same. Kakoo uses an epoxy fiberglass, with tinted black resine. KETOS uses full carbon for their pocket boards. Kakoo core is high density P U. KETOS core is AIREX. Kakoo 130 weighs about 3.2 kg KETOS 130 about 3 kg

I damaged my KETOS foil. Is it repairable?

KETOS foils are produced in our French workshop. In most cases, when there are scratches, small dings, ect … repair is possible. If the repair will cost as much as the price of a new part, having a foil with interchangeable and compatible parts allows to change only that part. Our workshop carries out repair operations throughout the year, but for cosmetic refurbishment operations (sanding, varnishing), it is preferable to have them carried out outside of peak season (November-March) . We can make an initial diagnosis by email at the following address contact@ketos-foil.com, on the basis of photos and tell you if your parts are repairable and give you an estimated amount of the cost of repairs. Your parts must be sent to us at the following address KETOS – 3G COMPOSITE, Savoie Hexapôle, Actipôle 3, Rue Maurice Herzog, 73420 Viviers-du-Lac, with the carrier of your choice. Be sure to protect and package them carefully for transport, and include your contact details. Allow about 3 to 15 days of downtime depending on the type of repair to be made and the season.

I have a Ketos foil that is a few years old. Is it compatible with your new products?

All KETOS components are part specific interchangeable. Production processes and precision have improved over the years, and modifications may be necessary so that the fit is perfect between parts of different generations. Please consult us if your equipment is several years old because the compatibility of certain combinations, in terms of profile, is not always guaranteed.

Should I disassemble and rinse my foil each time I use it? Do I have to grease the screws?

In fresh water an occasional rinse will due, remember to winterize your foil by taking it apart. In salt water, it is advisable to rinse it with fresh water after each session to avoid any salt residue build up. And if you don’t completely disassemble it, loosen the screws. Normally our hardware does not rust. The mast and fuselage inserts are made of brass, and the screws are made of A4 stainless steel. Marine grease can also be used to guarantee the longevity of your foil.

My screws heads are worn, I can no longer disassemble my foil

It is very important to loosen the screws regularly, at the first sign of wear and tear on the head, you must change the screw. If your screw is stuck, we can always take it out, use a left hand screwdriver, drill through it, send the part back to us…

How do I take care of my foil, kite and others, Tips

Use a case or some form of protection when transporting your foil, both to protect it, and it from damaging things it may come in contact with. Avoid positioning your board top down on hard surface with foil assembly up as it can blow or fall over causing wing tip damage. A good idea is to place something between the front wing tip and the ground to pad, having board on its rail. If using foil as kite weight be sure wing tips can not pierce sail. This has happened. Do not bottom out, run aground! Both when water starting and ending session. If in doubt, bail out. Chest deep is a good reference. Hydrofoils are made to fly through the water NOT encounter things. Do not let your foil get pounded in waves or even in small swell pushing it to the beach. Be very aware of fishing nets, bouys and fisherman with lines in the water. Most important, never even come close to swimmers while foiling!! Be aware of feet when swimming with foil, consider booties to protect them.

Can I jump with my foil?

Our foils are not designed for this use. But even if we don’t recommend it, you might want to. When preparing for and landing a jump, you apply huge pressure to all the components of the foil, and poor receptions will induce great stress ! If you really can’t resist, after a jump session, remember to check all the elements of your foil, condition and tightness of your screws, your inserts, and look for cracks. But many KETOS riders do jump and report little damage.

How to assemble my foil, how much force to apply?

The allen and torx tools provided are good enough to mount your foil. You must assemble the parts without forcing. To attach the mast, insert it fully and push firmly, tighten the screws, then move the assembly fore and aft, then add 1⁄4 turn assuring there is no play. If you wish to use a torque wrench, refer to the following values, but again there is no point in tightening too hard. Please check that there is no sand or other debris in between parts, in threaded inserts or on screw threads. for M6: 5N.m max 8 for M5: 4 N.m max 5.5

What screw length for which part ?

For the front wings : it will depend on your wing and your fuselage.

For stabilizers, M5x18 at the back, M5x20 in the front. EXCEPT for the stabilizer G10 and stabilizers before 2015 which require a lock nut to be inserted in the fuselage ( see user manual on how to put and remove this nut on the G10 product page)

For the mast: Board side, if you are on a Ketos board, M6x60 Otherwise see diagram to determine the length of your screw. Remember to put a washer (supplied with your foil) on top of the board to distribute the efforts. Fuselage M6x40

My foil whistles or vibrates

A brand new foil may whistle or vibrate if not assembled correctly.

Check that you are using the right screws in the right place. Remember the stabilizer has 2 screw sizes, they are pre-mounted when you receive it but check that the shortest is in the rear, the longer in the front. Verify stabilizer alignment.

What if it still whistles? All of our foils are handcrafted. It may happen that a very slight defect escapes us. We invite you to fully mount your foil and check the leading and trailing edges, that there is no roughness, resin droplet, ect. Please contact us if you detect this

I’ve been foiling for a while and recently its started to whistle.

Check that there is no impact damage. If so, do not panic, it can be repaired. Close your eyes and run your hand over your mast, is it rough? Limestone and micro algae (if you are sailing in a lake) or salt and micro algae (if you are sailing in the sea) have settled and crystallized, creating micro reliefs. Rinse then with fresh water and if that persists wet sand with 1500g and get in the habit of rinsing and wiping your foil regularly. Check the condition of your front and rear inserts, the surfaces between parts, insure there is no play or impurities possibly causing a poor connection.