Much of the talk about foil (i.e. An airfoil is the cross section of a wing. The airfoil shape and variations in angle of attack are primarily responsible for the lift and profile drag of the wing. - more at:
http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~mech594/han ... rfoils.pdf )
yet the emphasis by most has been profile of the rail in a section at 90 degrees to the stringer. While this foil has effect when rail is buried, the lift from this is largely towards the stringer (yes, there are net effects of forward movement and lift towards stringer)
There has been little emphasis on front to rear foil of rails, except in Hart's posts. How does the foil look if you slice the board parallel to the stringer. Since this is the primary direction of movement it is the most important foil line.
If an inch section is taken from the rail parallel to the stringer does it resemble an airfoil that gives upward lift; does it resemble one that gives downward lift or is it a plank (I know shapers who do this).
If a 2 inch section is taken?
Hence my earlier statement about lift in the stealth board being towards the nose of the board, in the direction of travel.
If lift's just towards the stringer you get a board that won't sit properly on rail and it will never accelerate during turns, but tends to stall (metaphysical "unfoiled")
Of course turns with the board flat to counteract rails with insufficient lift (bogging rails) or too much (corky rails) are always stall turns that shed speed, either by virtue of nose up-tail down aspect of board or from sideways push against the rails and fins.
I don't think this has anything to do with number of fins.
OOK,
Bar of soap, man - that's what I thought first time I saw one gliding through the water - slick and smooth as a bar of soap