With the current rate of development, foil gear can be overwhelming with all the options that are available. Foils are made up of the following parts (see picture below taken from the AK Durable Supply Co. site):

Mast + Base plate: Aluminium masts come with base plates to mount them on the board and carbon masts typically are 1 piece. When you are starting out, a shorter mast (45-65cm) is recommended as it is easier to control the pitch of the board and also more forgiving in the event that you breach (when you’re foil comes out the water).

Fuselage: This is what connects the foil wings to the mast. The longer your fuselage is, the more stable the foil will be. Pump frequency is also affect by fuselage length with longer fuselages requiring a slower cadence and shorter fuselages requiring a faster cadence. Shorter fuselages tend to also be snappier and more responsive.

Front wing: Front wings come in various shapes and sizes. as this is a general overview, sizes wont be discussed (will be discussed in each disciplines page, as this varies by discipline). Shape however plays a more important role. The main characteristic to consider is aspect ratio. Aspect ratio (AR) is the ratio between the wing span (tip to tip) and the chord (front to back). A higher AR (think glider plane) will give you a foil that glides and pumps really well but doesn’t turn as well. A lower AR will give you a foil that has good low speed lift, turns well and is stable. 

Rear wing: The rear wing is also referred to as the stabilizer, most brands will recommend which rear wing to select (if there are options) to match your selected front wing. Rear wings can drastically change the behavior of a foil. Rear wings can also be shimmed to change their angle of attack relative to the front wing, again changing the performance of the foil.