Messages

16

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / 3D dropstitch

« on: November 29, 2022, 02:40:32 AM »

This could have been posted in more than one forum but this is quite exciting technology assuming cost isn't a barrier for boards and maybe wings as well?!

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lucarizzotti_moulds-foilingindustry-connect-activity-7003260193660661761-FWB-?utm_source=li_share&utm_content=feedcontent&utm_medium=g_mb_web&utm_campaign=copy

17

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Reedin Super wing

« on: November 09, 2022, 07:59:25 AM »

Just resurrecting this thread as I'm starting to see the SWX discounted and am looking for a 30 knot plus wing and think a 2.8 SWX would work well on paper. Now people have had time to use and reflect on these wings, can anyone give any real world feedback on the 2.8 specifically? I know from experience sizes within ranges don't scale as you would expect so don't want to assume a review of a larger size holds true for a smaller one.

Thanks!

18

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis advance fuses

« on: September 13, 2022, 02:12:39 PM »

I agree in principle on your PS, Beasho. Once I figured out what small stabs give you, I've not gone back, unless wanting more lifting power in the light. I found my pitchy problem is more with hard acceleration from the wing overpowering the stab and driving down the board's nose and so ride height down, rather than instability from pure riding. I put it down to my local gusty conditions and always riding in a harness at max power, but if it weren't for that I'd probably be on the 300P too (smaller the better!), but have been happy with the 325.

19

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Axis advance fuses

« on: September 09, 2022, 03:47:10 AM »

Haven't seen any discussion on the advance fuses yet here so thought I'd chip in having had a few sessions on the Adv CS now, moving down from the US.

If anyone has seen other feedback and reviews I'm not going to say anything too different from that but, here goes...

I was initially interested in the Adv fuses for loosening up the bigger ART 1099 and 999 foils. I was already running them with a 325 tail with a shim, so had pretty much run out of road on that respect not wanting to shim more to improve turning (and getting more drag and throwing out balance) and not going to a shorter fuse as I was happy with the pitch stability on the US.

Speaking to my friendly retailer, he pointed me towards the shorter Adv CS which is what I'd also heard was the right thing to do, so took his advice. The distance from the mast to the stab is the same on the US and Adv CS, and I wasn't sure if that meant pitch stability would be about the same, or if the dynamics of the shorter mast to foil distance would override that.

On riding initially, I noticed the pitch stability was a tiny bit less (smaller impact than I was expecting) but soon adapted, but in a straight line there is a small loss of overall stability. Turning was improved though, making the ARTs turn about half a size smaller for the same stab. When I say better, I mean less locked in and easier to control mid carve.

I was most surprised on the 799, which to my mind was already loose enough but using the Adv fuse definitely improved turning control and impacted the straight line stability the least. I think it's such a small foil that it doesn't get influenced by chop as much so has a natural straight line stability.

At the same time I got my new RS wings, so was getting to grips with two new bits of kit at once. I needed to rework my tacks, but I'm now tacking better than I ever have especially on the 799 on my weaker side. I think some of that is the better cornering control.

Hope that's of interest!

20

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: August 25, 2022, 09:02:13 AM »

Review of the RS, in French but subtitles work ok.
Similar findings to what I said above, but with more detail, so although a positive review, he doesn't really make any comparisons to other wings on the market, which is a bit of a shame. He says it sacrifices some top end performance for some comfort, which works well for me in my gusty local spot. I'd use the word predictable rather than comfortable, but it's his review!

21

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: August 23, 2022, 03:05:08 PM »

I ride KT wings but have had the opportunity to try a pretty wide selection of brands with various handles and materials including Aluula...

That's a great post, and a good reminder that design as well as materials make the wing. I admit I've been frothing over the new exotic materials over the last 12 months or so, and my new wings do have some novel material choices (when they eventually arrive!!!), but when I was deciding what I wanted next, longevity of performance was close to the top of list so that went into the mix. Having the best performing wing is great, but not so much if that performance only last 3 months before becoming average...

I'm on the Allula Glides. My 5m i have 64 sessions on and running. The yellow UV covering is just starting to peal in isolated, high friction areas. I've been assured the Allula itself is the transparent material below that. The wing itself is at least 80-90% as stiff as it was off the hop. That says a lot-i am absolutely merciless on my gear.
 I fabricated a handle and boom to go with it (we are all waiting to the Carbon handles) which changes these wings to something quite remarkable.  Interestingly enough, if you can, compare the F1 Strikes to the OR Glides. Might make a guy chuckle.

I am genuinely pleased to hear that about the good longevity. I decided not to go for Aluula this time after seeing the RSs, but perhaps after!

22

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: August 23, 2022, 02:51:16 PM »

I have finally got hold of my Takuma RSs and first impressions are good in nearly every aspect. I don't have too much experience on other wings so the comparison is going to be against my old Slicks (so I'm not going over the top with superlatives. If I say 'good', I mean it puts a smile on my face!) The other caveat is that I've just started running the Axis CS Advance fuse, which I've not fully dialled in yet, so working on two new things at once...

Initial power is good, although not super grunty, and pumping feels much stiffer and direct (so better than the Slick all round here). In flight, the outstanding feature is the draft stability - it just doesn't move which means that it just keeps pulling. The Slick was a bit unstable, so the power was always wondering around meaning you didn't get this continued drive forward. I always felt I was trimming the wing to keep the max power on. With the RS, especially with a harness, you hook in and hold on, as you get pulled faster and faster - pretty exciting ride! Very windsurf like...

Upwind is good, although I think I'm losing a bit with the adv fuse, but without going head to head it's very difficult to say as conditions play such a big role.  Downwind the RS is well behaved, way better than the Slick at staying put, and flies well, but you feel the weight a bit (on the 5.1) like the Slick if you want to move it around a lot, but not in an annoying way to me. I think this is from the inherent profile stability it has but also the outright weight (not measured the head to head weight). The leading edge handle is nice and also big, so knuckles are well away from the leading edge although there is neoprene protection too.

The front strut handle is good, and its shape means it's a shorter reach under the wing to grab compared to the Slick when getting started. The handle is also nice to hold onto going downwind and swapping between that and the leading edge handle is really quick and easy. I'm usually holding the front strut handle right at the back when riding powered so not benefitting from the projection windward the deeper shape offers.

I'm missing not having a full length boom after having one for so long and have grabbed air enough times to buy a section of carbon tube to fill the gap. This will also allow me to optimise the position of my harness lines too.

I think the RS rotates and handles better than the Slick in transitions too although tacks have been less consistent. I think the adv fuse is playing a part here too and just need to get a feel for it. Jumping is also better, with more stiffness giving more loft and a more hang time. This is going to be a better freestyle wing for me too I suspect, once I sort out not having a boom.

The wings shipped with the wingtip battens installed, so they can stay in forever as far as I'm concerned. What little feedback I've seen was a bit critical of the bag - I thought it was reasonable (better than the Slick bags!), if a tiny bit snug to get the first section of wing all the way in (it's sausage shaped which gets a bit narrower towards the end.

For my local conditions, having a wing that is exciting upwind but also good down wind, with the promise of extended performance life with the X ply trailing edge is great. I'm not blessed with waves so will inevitably be on flattish water / wind chop most of the time so for me, the RS blend of performance is going to suit me really well... I'm excited to pump it up again! Wind gods may have other ideas though...

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: New Winging specific boards from Naish.

« on: August 21, 2022, 08:09:08 AM »

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!

24

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: New Winging specific boards from Naish.

« on: August 20, 2022, 02:55:31 AM »

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?

25

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: New Winging specific boards from Naish.

« on: August 18, 2022, 01:35:50 AM »

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.

26

The Shape Shack / Re: new wingboard design 5'2" 90L - link to 3D

« on: August 17, 2022, 03:57:06 AM »

I think it looks good! To my unexpert eye I can see the logic to your design choices, but just a question on the width. What made you go for 26 and not narrower? I'm a fan of narrow boards!

27

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 2022 New Wings Thread

« on: August 11, 2022, 01:57:04 AM »

I ride KT wings but have had the opportunity to try a pretty wide selection of brands with various handles and materials including Aluula...

That's a great post, and a good reminder that design as well as materials make the wing. I admit I've been frothing over the new exotic materials over the last 12 months or so, and my new wings do have some novel material choices (when they eventually arrive!!!), but when I was deciding what I wanted next, longevity of performance was close to the top of list so that went into the mix. Having the best performing wing is great, but not so much if that performance only last 3 months before becoming average...

28

Foil SUP / Re: Another revelation about the Barricuda style Kalama board!

« on: August 02, 2022, 01:40:13 AM »

That's a great idea. I could see a convertible boom/paddle being a useful tool in future with a compatible wing. My next wings have solid handles so not such an elegant solution there. I had considered that hand paddles would also be a light weight back up plan. The objective is 1) learn how to flat water paddle up and 2) to do the downwind with the wing packed on my back so the wing gets me to the start and paddle would the primary downwind weapon which has the added benefit of being a plan B if the wind dies.

29

Foil SUP / Would an iBarracuda be possible?

« on: August 01, 2022, 08:01:39 AM »

If this is the future shape of DW foil board design, would an inflatable version be possible?

30

Foil SUP / Re: Another revelation about the Barricuda style Kalama board!

« on: August 01, 2022, 01:26:25 AM »

Talk about making the most of your local conditions! That's great! The beauty of foiling is the potential it unlocks. I contacted my local shaper about whether he had drawn any Barracuda style boards and he replied with a pic of the blank being CNC'd that day!

I'm interested in one to start doing deflated downwinders with a paddle. I have good potential downwind opportunities but the logistics suck, so being able to wing upwind and then come back home with the added security of a paddle is the aim, especially as I would have to cross a busy shipping lane.