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North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Carbon or Steel? Moth Foil Evolution with Alex Adams

by Mark Jardine 7 Sep 2025 09:00 UTC
A look at foil evolution with Alex Adams at the Wetsuit Outlet International Moth UK Championship © Mark Jardine

Foils have been shrinking for years as sailors continually try to reduce drag and increase speeds, but designers were reaching the limit of what they could do with carbon, so the latest foils have turned to steel for some parts.

Alex Adams talks us through the changes and why the properties of steel can be advantageous.

Steel mainfoil (left) and rudder (right) - photo © Mark Jardine
Steel mainfoil (left) and rudder (right) - photo © Mark Jardine
Steel rudder vertical - photo © Mark Jardine
Steel rudder vertical - photo © Mark Jardine
Steel rudder vertical with carbon horizontal - photo © Mark Jardine
Steel rudder vertical with carbon horizontal - photo © Mark Jardine

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