[TEST] SIC Maui Slash 1200: the innovative reversible-fuselage foil

After our test of the SIC Raptor Launch 5’8, the SIC Maui Slash 1200 foil was put through its paces by TotalWing! Tested in very light to light conditions (8-15 knots) on a flat lake and at sea with a very small swell, with the SIC Raptor Launch but also on other boards from other brands, this is a truly surprising foil. In fact, the Slash is a foil… reversible! It features a fuselage that can be mounted in either direction, with the promise of modifying the foil’s behavior to suit your riding style and conditions: one side for more lift, the other for more maneuverability. So, is it effective? Let’s find out!

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – Specifications

• Materials: Carbon
• Mast length: 35 in / 90 cm
• Mast material: Carbon
• Fuselage length: 28 in / 73 cm
• Fuselage material: Alu / Carbon
• Front wing surface area: 186 in² / 1200 cm²
• Front wing materials : Carbon
• Stabilizer materials: Carbon
• Stabilizer surface area: 39 in² / 250 cm²
• Foil case: Platinum Double US Box
• Country of manufacture: China
• Price : 1999€

All Slash foil components

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – Construction and shape

The Slash foil from SIC is an all-carbon foil – well, almost. Only the small reversible part of the fuselage, where the mast connects, is aluminum. The finish is perfect and neat.

The 90cm mast is superb. It features a progressive profile, with a wider top chord for rigidity (130mm) and a thinner bottom chord for less drag (115mm). The carbon plate is directly molded, as is the fuselage connection notch. The 4 milled holes on the plate are open for rapid assembly. The result is an elegant, one-piece carbon mast that’s both rigid and fairly light (measured at 1.7kg).

Molded carbon plate

The fuselage is in two parts, the reversible aluminum part and the carbon rear part. The mast is fitted to the fuselage by means of a notch in the aluminum part. The assembly has no lateral gaps and is very rigid. The joints between the aluminum fuselage, the carbon rear section and the frontwing are tapered and free of gap.

The Frontwing 1200 is a high-aspect wing (7.9) with a moderate wingspan (970mm) and a fairly pronounced sweep. Its profile offers a bit of chord (172mm) and thickness (1.3L volume) to avoid extremes and keep the foil rather versatile. The dihedral is slightly negative, with raised winglets at the tip to break turbulence and reduce drag (or cut the feet, according to some).

Pronounced wingtips

Associated with this frontwing is the Slash 400 stab. 400 corresponds to its 400mm wingspan. Its surface area is 250cm² and its chord measures 85mm for an aspect ratio of 6.7. It’s a slim-profile stab with a low boom angle and downward winglets. In my kit, I didn’t have incidence shims, but they’re supposed to be supplied.

The whole thing is decorated in the SIC Maui colors, in red, black and white, with the Slash bird logo. In my opinion, the result is very aesthetically pleasing.

A beautiful frontwing to get you flying!

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – Assembly

The Slash foil comes in an elegant, padded storage case that does the job of protecting and transporting your foil. Measuring 115x35x15cm, it’s a rather compact case compared to what’s available elsewhere. Inside, there’s just one zipped pocket for the two-part fuselage, and a small pocket for screws. There are no compartments for the mast, frontwing and stab, but they are supported by clip-on straps. Each of these components comes with its own thick, protective cover. The frontwing cover is reinforced at the wingtips to protect the wingtips. Note that the stab and frontwing covers close with a zip. Nice to close properly, but we’ll have to wait and see how long they last in salt and sand! The screws are not supplied loose: they come in a small compartmentalized case that also contains tefgel.

Slash components in individual covers

So, I’ll tell you right away, assembly was no piece of cake. I arrived with my usual T30 and T45 wrenches, and surprise! At SIC Maui, we use T40. Usually, you don’t ask yourself this question, as the wrench is often supplied with the foil. But here, no. Maybe it got lost during the Défi Wing where I picked up this foil? That’s probably it, since other riders have confirmed that it’s normally supplied with the kit. After turning the spot upside down in search of a precious T40, I was able to get on with the assembly. And for the first time in my life, I had to take out the instructions to see how to assemble the foil.

The Slash foil in its case

Indeed, the Slash foil features a two-part fuselage, and no less than 10 screws for assembly. This two-part fuselage allows for the foil’s rather clever reversible system, which I’ll introduce later. In fact, it’s during assembly that you’ll have to choose which mode you’re going to put your fuselage in: if you put the long side in front, with the arrow logo, your foil will be more stable and give you more lift; conversely, if you put the short side in front, with the steering wheel logo, your foil will be more playful and maneuverable.

The reversible fuselage: on the left, the “lift” logo, on the right, the “drive” logo.

Once you’ve made your choice, it’s time to assemble. There are 3 different screw lengths: 20mm, 25mm and 30mm. Even on the front wing alone, fitted with 4 screws, there are two different lengths. In short, keep your screws organized by size and pay close attention to assembly, otherwise you’ll be assembling and disassembling your screws several times, saying to yourself “that one’s too long, but where did I put the one that was shorter?” (been there, done that). The same goes for reversing your reversible fuselage: you have to dismantle almost everything except the stab. So stay focused. On a positive note: all screws are T40, so you only need one wrench.

Slash foil instructions

You’re going to tell me that this assembly method is not only for SIC Maui foils, with several parts for the fuselage and a whole host of screws. Yes, but when you come from other brands where only 7 screws, including 5 of the same size, are needed for assembly, it’s surprising. After all, you’ll probably stop looking at the instructions after a few assemblies, but it’s still a point I found interesting to note. Why not color-code which screw goes where? It would save time and reduce the risk of mistakes. These wouldn’t be dramatic mistakes, but putting a screw that’s too long in a helicoil not designed for that length could cause it to come out of its housing, just as putting a screw that’s too short increases the risk of losing its foil. In short, there’s room for improvement here, but, I repeat, it’s not just for SIC Maui foils!

Slash foil in its compact case

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – Program

SIC Maui presents this foil for intermediate to expert riders. I’d add that it could also be well suited to light, experienced riders in its “lift” mode. It’s an easy foil with a 1200 wing, that can be easily upgraded thanks to its reversible fuselage and the availability of a 900 frontwing.

Frontwing 1200 Slash specifications

The Slash is a versatile foil that’s not extreme. It allows you to work on your maneuvers, do some light surfing and even go downwind. However, it’s a foil with plenty of lift that also excels in light winds, the conditions in which we tested it the most. Not the fastest foil, you can still use it in races, especially if the wind is light. As for freestyle, we haven’t tested it, but if SIC Maui’s promotional images are anything to go by, the Slash foil does it too!

On test with the SIC Maui Raptor Launch

The Slash’s versatility means it can be used by a wide range of riders. The heaviest riders at intermediate or even expert level will be won over by its compromise between lift and performance, while lighter riders will find it a stable, supportive foil for rapid progress, before moving on to the 900. In fact, we mainly tested this Slash foil with the SIC Raptor Launch board, a 110L board for beginners and intermediate riders. The result is that the two match quite well! Of course, the Slash will never be a rider’s very first foil. But once the first stable tacks are acquired, why not learn the maneuvers with the Slash?

On test with the SIC Maui Raptor Launch

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – Performance

The main feature of the SIC Slash foil is its reversible fuselage. While I expected this to be a bit of a gimmick, it’s actually quite surprising, and makes the foil very upgradeable. In lift position, the Slash has, as its name suggests, plenty of lift, and takes off very quickly and smoothly. As I said earlier, the foil is so stable that you could entrust it to a resourceful beginner who buys his first gear after taking a few lessons (well, that’s if he has the budget to go straight to full carbon). In the drive position, the Slash is much more playful and maneuverable. Take-off is a little more technical, but you’ve got a much more responsive foil at your feet, allowing you to take on a little tighter turns. It’s amazing how a few centimetres on a fuselage can change everything when it comes to flying a foil! In short, the Slash is a versatile foil with great potential for evolution.

The Slash mounted on the SIC Maui Raptor Launch

In this 1200 version, the Slash foil offers a good, progressive lift, and you quickly get a great sensation. Acceleration is smooth. Speed is decent for a 1200, but if you want to feel a little less constrained by your foil, you should probably switch to the 900. Once up in the air, you can really ride chill, as the stability is so good, it’s not a challenging foil. The Slash foil also glides nicely. In short, it’s a pleasure to ride! The foil glides for a long time without stalling, responds well to pumping, and you can imagine it on a real downwind.

On test with the SIC Maui Raptor Launch

The 90cm carbon mast allows you to fly high without compromising the rigidity of the entire foil. It’s easy to make good headway upwind, and foot pressure is precise. But in terms of handling, we’re not talking about extreme carving. The Slash allows you to make nice, leisurely turns without losing speed and with a really stable feel, which is ideal for learning and perfecting maneuvers like jibes, tacks and variants.

On test with the SIC Maui Raptor Launch

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – At a glance

SIC Maui Slash Foil 1200 – Verdict