I just got back from my first week of tow foiling in Fiji and really struggled finding a board that I liked.
I am 67kg and my 36L prone board was just a bit too much volume for me to deep water start comfortably. I could do it but it gradually got more difficult as I got more tired.
I tried a 8L Armstrong tow board which was easy to deep water start but sucked if you got stuck in the impact zone and had to paddle out - thing was impossible to paddle.
Lastly, I tried the 18L Apple Skipper tow board and it felt like its design (smooth edges) stuck to the water while getting pulled up. Overall, just not a forgiving board to get up on. Easy to sink but you really had to be careful with your front foot pressure as it broke the surface or the nose would launch up and then smack back down. A few others tried the same board and we all had the same issue.
So - any suggestions for me at 67kg?
Looking for something that’s forgiving and has enough volume to get our of hairy situations but also comfortable to sink for deep water starts.
I weigh 142 lb/64 kg. I like towing with my prone board, JS Black Eagle 2, 4’1” at 32L. It’s low enough volume to easily do a deep water start and adequate for paddling out of the impact zone.
I also have a Liquid Force Nebula 4’1” around 15L that I use for towing.
When it’s really choppy, the lower volume Liquid Force board is easier to start. But if it’s clean conditions, towing up on the JS 4’1” is a lot easier on my back. The extra volume and bottom shape of the JS is probably what makes the start feel so easy.
I’ve also towed with a JS 4’4” 27L, but the 4’1” is easier to sink even though it’s 32L.
I’m the same weight, about 150 lb. I use a 4’, 27L Armstrong FG board for towing. I have used the 9.5L WKT board but prefer a board I can paddle and duck dive. The 27L has foot strap inserts and I sometimes use a front strap. It’s a perfect setup for me.