Standup Zone Forum
The Foil Zone => Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP => Topic started by: DavidJohn on August 17, 2022, 06:45:27 PM
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I’m loving mine.. ;D
https://vimeo.com/734935192
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https://youtu.be/WFO2_OG2gsY
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I'm sure that they work well, but there isn't anything on these boards that excites me, especially using HA foils. I'd probably prefer the longer and narrower Ultra shape but take a smaller volume. The easier to accelerate shape means you can take a slightly smaller board.
Also, I appreciate swing weight is an issue, but it's an issue that can partially be countered by using a smaller stab (what is swing weight if not unwanted stability/inertia, which is what a stab gives you in a different way)
I'm not convinced on the tail shape either, although don't really get a good look at it to be fair.
Small thing, but the two rows of front foot strap centerline inserts aren't my thing either. I want my front foot as close to the centre line as possible, so a proper V strap with a single row (which still allows a single front strap) would be my choice.
Don't mean to sound negative! As is say, I'm sure they work well for the target person.
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I like everything about it except the price, and possibly the color.
100 liters would be the perfect size for me. 8)
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I'm sure that they work well, but there isn't anything on these boards that excites me, especially using HA foils. I'd probably prefer the longer and narrower Ultra shape but take a smaller volume. The easier to accelerate shape means you can take a slightly smaller board.
Also, I appreciate swing weight is an issue, but it's an issue that can partially be countered by using a smaller stab (what is swing weight if not unwanted stability/inertia, which is what a stab gives you in a different way)
I'm not convinced on the tail shape either, although don't really get a good look at it to be fair.
Small thing, but the two rows of front foot strap centerline inserts aren't my thing either. I want my front foot as close to the centre line as possible, so a proper V strap with a single row (which still allows a single front strap) would be my choice.
Don't mean to sound negative! As is say, I'm sure they work well for the target person.
So your saying you don't like it eh?
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Naish Inflatable Wingboards are pretty good!....5'7" 130L
(https://youtu.be/YL2LlZKae80)
https://youtu.be/YL2LlZKae80 (https://youtu.be/YL2LlZKae80)
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So your saying you don't like it eh?
I wouldn't use the word 'dislike', it just doesn't have any features that I'd look for. Take the 70 litre model, which is the smallest in the range but bigger than my 65 litre 'big' board. It's only a little wider approximately, but my 4'6 is already difficult enough to get my 999 going in marginal conditions in my local messy chop that so a 4'1 is going to be a total PITA (especially with that tail shape?) despite being a bit bigger. If it's gusting more than 15 knots then I'm happy on my 4'10 x 19.5 35 litre sinker which was designed for HA foils and accelerates like a bullet so gets the 899/799 up easily. You can try and argue swing weight with me on that board but I won't be able to hear you over the whooping and hollering. I don't mind falling off that board because getting started is not difficult (easy if windy), so I push my limits.
That just me though. I'd be interested to hear the alternative opinions, why people like it? For context, the only other board that I know of with those dimensions is the Gong Kube, their dedicated freestyle board. I'm not convinced of the shorter is
always better concept. Should we all be riding freestyle boards?
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I wouldn't use the word 'dislike', it just doesn't have any features that I'd look for.
That's Apples to Oranges...
If I was looking for the equivalent to your Lethal 4.6, the Naish Hover Wing Foil 60 in their ultra line would
be more suitable as you mentioned. At 4'10 and slightly narrower it would probably be a little better fit than the gong offering.
For the Naish fans this board should be a welcomed additions that was missing from their lineup.
At 185LB+, If I was building a Naish wingboard quiver I would have the Hover Wing Foil Compact LE 80 for my big board and the Hover Wing Foil 50 Ultra for high performance.
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I wouldn't use the word 'dislike', it just doesn't have any features that I'd look for.
That's Apples to Oranges...
Apples and oranges both make juice but I'm not looking for apple juice. Really as simple as that. :)
You have no idea how much I've debated with myself what I'd swap the Lethal for. The conclusion for me is that it's too good an all-rounder to replace it. I could get something a bit longer and narrower to help the low end but I don't want to sacrifice the windy performance which I want when it's too shallow for the sinker and for freestyle. Personally I can't see myself going much shorter than 4'6. As I've said above, if I want more responsiveness I'd stick on a smaller stab before going so short as to make take off (on HA foils) more awkward, but that's just me!
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Having said the Compact doesn't float my boat, I've just seen the Bullet (no idea when it was released) and this shape is much more to my liking. Narrower and a bit longer (although the 65L Bullet is the same length as the 60L Ultra at 4'10), and way better suited for HA foils if you ride them. I reckon these would be more versatile than the race label it's been given too. Just thought I'd balance my previous comments with some offering a bit more love!
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The Bullet makes sense to me. They should make a full range of Bullet sizes. Forget about racing. I think a lot of people would like a fast cruiser that lifts off easily. It's a strange-looking board. The shape could use some tweaking to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It looks like it was thrown together in a hurry.
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I agree with Solent Foiler that short and stubby is not always the way forward. If you want to 100% Freestyle or perhaps a heavier rider.
Im 78kg and have had my 75L Naish Ultra for 150+ sessions after using my old 85L for around 100 sessions. I use my boards hard and leave it in my van in no bag. Never clean it and rest it on the rails on tarmac , gravel etc.. Neither board has ever had my issues and my 75L (orange one) is near perfect. Bullet proof and light. The compact Naish doesn't interest me but the Bullet if offered in different sizes could have , although that nose shape puts me off.
I think the Naish Ultra is perfect in every way except for the tail shape to help take offs on smaller and/or Ha foils. Having tried over 10 different boards no other production board comes close to the Ultra for the feeling when on the wave. The relatively thin width and the pinched nose makes it feel really surfy. I'm sure there's better boards for jumping but for me 100% waves/bumps strapless it's a gem!!!!
New tail please Robbie..
*I love the new Gong Lethal shape 2023 but I've always found their boards to be brittle. Gong foils are great and very robust.
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I agree. A new tail for the Ultra would improve it considerably. Something similar to the Kalama E3 would be perfect. I like my Carbon Ultra but it does not get up easily in minimal conditions. Especially with HA foils.
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The rocker looks like a copy of a Tarifa Foil Boards kite racing foil which isn't a bad thing.
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IMHO Kiterace foil boards usually have a lot of nose up rocker because they ride very long masts ,1m and up.
So when they overfoil the nose falls from very high and hits the water at a very steep angle.
With an 85cm mast ,common in wing, we do not need so much rocker up front.
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Over foiling isn't really a problem with kiteracing and if you are overfoiling often then you are doing something wrong. Kiteracing boards have quite a lot of nose and tail rocker. Nose rocker to get going without pearling (and occasional touch downs ie: blasting through steep swell when going hard to windward at full speed) and tail rocker to prevent nose down riding when at speed to counter the change in AOA from the rider going fast. I have a TFB kiterace foil board and when I get on foil initially or going slow (like stalling a bit when coming up to the start line) the board rides VERY nose up with your front leg quite bent. As you gain speed the nose starts coming down and at full speed the board rides level with the water surface (for the most part) with the nose rocker ready for those head on swell faces. The whole thing feels very balanced. Small HA foils for winging also benefit from a similar board design although such extremes in rocker probably not needed as speeds aren't as fast. I've rode a lot of wingboards that ride nose down at speed. NJS and Camet make custom wingrace boards that have a nice, balanced feel at speed but it's good to have production options so I'm pleased to see Naish marketing a board for wing racing.
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Over foiling isn't really a problem with kiteracing and if you are overfoiling often then you are doing something wrong. Kiteracing boards have quite a lot of nose and tail rocker. Nose rocker to get going without pearling (and occasional touch downs ie: blasting through steep swell when going hard to windward at full speed) and tail rocker to prevent nose down riding when at speed to counter the change in AOA from the rider going fast. I have a TFB kiterace foil board and when I get on foil initially or going slow (like stalling a bit when coming up to the start line) the board rides VERY nose up with your front leg quite bent. As you gain speed the nose starts coming down and at full speed the board rides level with the water surface (for the most part) with the nose rocker ready for those head on swell faces. The whole thing feels very balanced. Small HA foils for winging also benefit from a similar board design although such extremes in rocker probably not needed as speeds aren't as fast. I've rode a lot of wingboards that ride nose down at speed. NJS and Camet make custom wingrace boards that have a nice, balanced feel at speed but it's good to have production options so I'm pleased to see Naish marketing a board for wing racing.
This makes more sense than my overfoiling musings :)