Messages

31

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: F-One Or OZone, which one's faster? I'll tell you.

« on: February 22, 2020, 04:07:26 PM »

I agree with PonoBill the weight is making the difference. I don't think the Swing is any less powerful. They even recommend larger foils for heavier riders because it just takes more lift from the foil to lift more weight. So some of your speed is being eaten I would think by the foil having to work harder just to keep you foiling. It might require a slightly different angle to keep the lift going, and that could play a part in the top speed.

If you have seen the heights the F-One Team rider jumps to you can tell this is a powerful wing.

I have the 4.2 and enjoy it as much as the other sizes. To me they are all the same, it just depends on what the wind is doing. If the wind is gusting over 20 mph I would prefer to be on the 4.2.

32

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Wing Size???

« on: February 22, 2020, 03:56:34 PM »

You will need the 6 minimum. The 7.2 might be even better but it is not available yet.

If you go too small you will not have much fun. You will be going slowly downwind only and sometimes you will feel like you are holding up the wing.

The 6 Swing will get you going in a gust of 14 mph, maybe even 13 mph with some pumping on flat water.

33

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: F-One Or OZone, which one's faster? I'll tell you.

« on: February 22, 2020, 10:38:02 AM »

Are you and your friend on the same exact foil, similar board and similar weight? All those things, especially the foil wing size play a part in how fast you can go.

34

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Step 2 Learning to use the wing. Failure!!!

« on: February 21, 2020, 06:58:41 PM »

What is the cable park? Are you being towed by a cable onto the foil? If so that is great foiling practice, but won't help with wing control.

I spent an hour or more handling the wing on land before going out to the water. My first session I never got wet, it was just wing control practice. You should be comfortable powering and depowering the wing, flipping it both directions, jibing, etc. all on land before hitting the water.

Even with that land practice I could not handle the wing in choppy water on a SUP. The largest windsurf board with a dagger board is what I used. It is almost like being on land. You should be going up wind and really feeling the wind in the wing on that board and then move to the most stable foil board you can find.

I felt good on the windsurfing board with dagger and moved to an unstable foil board in high wind and chop and could not even stay on the board on my knees, never mind stand up. A more stable board on a lighter wind day with less chop started to feel good again like the windsurf board, and then I moved into foiling on it.

For a size 5 wing I would say you want gusts of 17 mph to 22 mph. If it is gusting over 22 mph with a 5 wing that is going to be a lot of power in the wing. You are heavier than me so it might be OK. You can always test it on land next to the water. If you are getting blown around on the beach then it is too much wind.

Let me know if any questions.

35

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Who would watch a 1 hour windwing video?

« on: February 17, 2020, 05:25:40 PM »

It is not easy to hear but I like that window view.

36

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: New Naish S25 Wing-Surfer

« on: February 17, 2020, 05:22:16 PM »

I see the 3.6 Wing in the photo and that photo is from my local spot in Kailua.

The wind here is nothing like Maui and a Swing 4.2 is my smallest wing.

So I see that as a good sign on the power side that they are flying in this wind with a 3.6 wing.

I can't remember the exact day they did this photo shoot but in my opinion we have not had any 3.6 wing days this year. That is impressive.

I have the Swing 4.2, 5, and 6 and use them all. The 6 goes to a pretty light wind, but there could be an opportunity to go even a bit lighter so that 7.2M interests me.

37

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Inexpensive wing foiling options

« on: February 12, 2020, 07:51:39 PM »

I am starting to see some used Wings being sold. I also see used foils and boards being sold. Not sure where you are located but here on Craigslist I see used equipment. He can setup a search to get notified for anything with the word foil in it.

38

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Slingshot infinity setup for sup foil / wing foil?

« on: February 10, 2020, 01:04:24 PM »

Hi James,

I use the Infinity 84 front wing with the 42 cm back wing for Wing foiling and I think it works great. It is fantastic on small swells, and nice for staying up during the jibe as it is very stable with a long glide.

The only thing the 84 can't do is race down from the top of head high swells. You can catch the swell from out front at the bottom and it works, but coming in from the top generates too much speed for the big wing. Your 76 should have a higher top speed so it might work in that situation.

I changed to a SUP board for Wing Foiling. Lining them up I noticed the foil location is a lot different for SUP foil boards vs. Wind Foiling boards. I assume this has to do with Mast Foot Pressure. I have used both the Slingshot Outwit and Slingshot Airstrike board, which is believe is discontinued. The Airstrike a lot more stable and at first the more stable the board is the easier it will be to learn without falling off as much.

In terms of early lift off it is really hard to tell. If I have enough wind in the wing both boards lift of easily. If there is not enough wind I can't lift off. I am not able to tell the difference even though the Outwit has all the features that new SUP boards have.

39

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Up and riding the foil..woo hoo!

« on: February 05, 2020, 07:54:22 PM »

Caribsurf, the 6 Wing is probably the largest you will need or want, and it does not feel so big. It is still light and easy to handle and floats with no weight at all by your side if you are on a swell. I use the Swing 6 with a harness line so going up wind I can control the wing with just one finger to keep it from hitting the water, that is all that is needed.

40

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Up and riding the foil..woo hoo!

« on: February 05, 2020, 05:43:04 PM »

Congratulations on your success!!! I remember my first rides on the Wing Foil and they were a lot of fun.

At some point you will enjoy a larger Wing. I started with a 4 and most of the time could not go anywhere because there was not enough wind. With the 6 Wing I am going in wind that would require a 9.5 sail or larger for regular windsurfing.

Light wind if you have the right size wing is easier. It is not as gusty and the water is flatter.

If you have a 4 in light wind it gets frustrating as even heading up wind with the board on the water becomes difficult, especially depending on which wing you have.

It keeps getting better so continue onward...

41

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Levitaz Shaka foils and preparing for 2020 Wingfoil test

« on: February 02, 2020, 01:14:42 PM »

Thanks Robert for testing.

If possible I would like to see how the Slingshot Infinity 84 with the larger back wing stacks up against all the other foils you mentioned.

Not sure if you plan to tow behind a wave runner or not but I found that type of testing to be really valuable before I purchased my Infinity 84.

It was the range from a low take off speed to stability at a surprisingly fast speed for that large of foil that sold me.

With a wave runner on flat water you can really accurately measure the lift off speed and a potential top speed where the foil is still in control.

Using the wave runner eliminates the constantly changing wind as a variable in your testing.

If you need a good flat water, no wind place to test on island let me know. We used this spot when teaching my 10 year old son how to foil and there is a wind shadow and flat water almost all the time.

42

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: F-One Swing

« on: February 02, 2020, 11:11:24 AM »

I am 160 lbs.

Gusting 17 mph or lower I would take the Swing 6.

Gusting 18 mph to 20 mph the Swing 5.

Gusting over 20 mph and staying over 20 mph the Swing 4.2

I have not really tested the Swing 6 upper limit as I only use it on light days and so far it seems to handle 17 mph to 18 mph gusts with no problem.

The Swing 4.2 gets difficult to handle in 30 mph gusts, but covers gusts from 20 mph to 25 mph perfectly for me.

For anyone in light wind locations, I think the 6 is a must have size to maximize your fun and number of days on the water.

43

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: F-One Swing

« on: January 26, 2020, 10:39:17 AM »

Sorry, I have some issues with this emphasis that smaller is so much better.

I watched Windsurfing go that direction with the same emphasis, and finally at my location everyone had such a small board they had to sit on the beach most days.

I am seeing an issue with small boards with new Wing Foilers. They read something about smaller is better, and head out with that small SUP or prone foil board, and they can't even stand on it for a second because the wing keeps blowing them over, so some have decided Wing Foiling is not for them.

Again I have seen the same issue in Windsurfing, they start with too small board or too big sail, they can't even ride the board for 1 second, and determine they are just not cut out for this  sport, when actually it was their equipment causing the issue, not them.

I myself bought a smaller easier to tip over board, and when just learning the wing tried it out, and experienced first hand not being able to stand on the board for even 1 second. A lot could have to do with your location. Choppy water, small boards, and learning the wing are not a good combination. I went to a more stable board and learned how to Wing Foil. Later on I went back to that small board and was able to use it, although if I come down off the wing during a jibe, there is still a better chance I fall in than with my more stable board.

I am 160 lbs. I find if I have enough wind in the wing I can take off fairly easy on my larger board. Maybe the smaller board takes offer a bit sooner, but the key for me is having enough wind in the wing. If there is not enough wind in the wing to create a bit of pull, then I believe no board will take off. Again a lot has to do with your location. Many in this forum are in extremely high wind locations, so there is always a ton of extra wind in the wing.

At my location I advised one person learning who came up and asked for advice to use the largest most stable board possible for the learning period. Once that is over and they can control the wing with ease they can think about moving down in size. I like to make the learning curve as easy as possible and hope people will feel success early on to keep them excited about Wing Foiling.

44

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Mast length

« on: January 21, 2020, 07:29:00 AM »

As you go longer it becomes harder to catch the swell energy because the wing normally rides further down in the water.

I changed from a 90 cm to 72 cm and like the 72 cm better. It is easier to carry on land and in and out of the water. I have less issues worrying about hitting coral. I do feel like I can ride/feel smaller swells with the wing closer to the swell energy. It still gives me enough length to go upwind nicely and to prevent foiling out.

The longer mast gives you more up and down range and could take you over big chop easier.

45

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: WINGS with Bar

« on: January 19, 2020, 07:08:51 AM »

A friend at my spot just damaged his board when the boom hit it. So that is one possible advantage of not having one.

Grabbing the F-one handles becomes second nature. At first you definitely have to look, but eventually you don't have to, you just know where it is.