Recent Posts

1

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« Last post by Admin on Today at 04:19:33 PM »

Two amazing days here that feel like a new chapter in foiling for me.  Yesterday, I set out to make friends with the Axis 1000.  I had ordered a 390 tail a few weeks ago which I had not used yet.  Yesterday was day one.  My understanding of that tail is that it has less downward angle than the earlier tails and therefore gives the front foil a lower angle of attack.  Less drag to take off and quicker overall.  I had hoped that this would minimize the initial jump and stall that I had been finding with the 1000.  It does that really well.  It took me a half hour to unlearn my 1000 habits.  After that I had the most amazing 3.5 Swing session (22 to 35).  I was pretty well convinced after that session that the 1000 was my new go-to wing, but I was wrong. 

That was a chunky 3.5 day.  Today was 15-17 mph base wind.  I wanted to see if the 1000/390 would work in that lighter air as well.  Whoo!  Such a fun session.  It took off super smooth and easy and was just an incredible pleasure to ride.  All of the jerkiness and stop and go stuff that I had experienced with the deep diver tails was gone.  So now I am very stoked and I start thinking about the 900 which is getting lonely in the car.  I am wondering what the 390 will do for that little beauty.  I go in, do a quick swap, give the 1000 to Bill for a test, and off we go.  Well holy shit.  First I watch Bill from shore.  He slides up on a foil like he was on an escalator - in really light wind.  Then I get started on the 900 and, same freaking thing.  We were screaming like idiots out there for another hour and a half. 

The 900/390 is beyond epic.  It is super quick, accelerates, pumps and pivots like crazy.  Best yet, it carves a turn like a surfboard.  None of that resistance or delay that you get with the wider beefier wings.  This is where its at. 

I did order another 900 for Chan, because she is going to need one and I ordered a couple more 390's because I don't want to use anything else now, and some ultra short fuselages for good measure.  I had previously though that the 900 at 1184 square cm would pretty much be a high wind only foil but now I am considering it my number one for good 5.0 and above.  I am actually wondering how it feels with a powered 6. 

Coupled with the 96 cm carbon mast the 900 feels hysterically low drag.  I was fully buzzed when I got out of the water.  This keeps getting better .

2

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Torx bolts??? I want to understand, why do you like them?

« Last post by PonoBill on Today at 03:30:12 PM »

One other note on this. Clay a Torx connection is so good that you can often use a T28 on a T30 screw. I’ve done this. So check that. There’s almost no play in a correctly sized Torx connection.

I make that mistake frequently simply because Torx heads are so forgiving. If I feel any wiggle at all I assume I've got the wrong bit. Kind of a PITA but when I do the same thing with other screws the result is generally nasty.

3

Foil SUP / Re: Go Foil : Axis : Armstrong : Signature : Cloud IX: ??

« Last post by PonoBill on Today at 03:23:35 PM »

I borrowed Admin's 1000 this morning after a somewhat frustrating session on my 1020/440. Not a foil issue, but the wind was light and flukey. I came in for a breather and saw Admin switching out his 1000 for a 900. He said he had a great session on the 1000 but wanted to try the 900, which sounded nuts to me. He offered to let me try his 1000 which is amazingly generous since he knows how hard I am on gear. His 1000 has one scratch on it.

I bolted it on, expecting to pump and struggle my way across the river without getting up--I think the 1000 is about 1300 sq cm and I was struggling with the 2400cm 1020, but I was surprised to be able to get the foil up to crazy speed on the surface (felt like no drag at all) and lift off fairly easily. Once I was up the morning suddenly turned golden. What a WING! The speed was stunning, but what is even more surprising is how effortless flying it is. Lots of glide, turns beautifully, and the acceleration was mind-blowing. I came much closer to completing switch foot jibes without touching down. I've been thinking the slower, high lift wings like the 1020 and 920 would make it easier to jibe. Wrong. I know I'm going to get there with a 1000. Unfortunately, that means it's going to be an expensive afternoon. I'm going to go for a 1000, 900, a 370 tail, an ultrashort fuse, and carbon mast. I have to remind myself that this is all cheaper than a typical weekend of racing cars, but I can only use that excuse so many times.

4

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« Last post by PonoBill on Today at 02:15:10 PM »

Weirdness abounds in the fastener world.

5

Foil SUP / Re: Go Foil : Axis : Armstrong : Signature : Cloud IX: ??

« Last post by Dwight (DW) on Today at 02:00:55 PM »

Similar situation for me kinda as I have been a fan of GF for supfoiling specifically the Iwa and M200, didn’t like the GL series had the 240&210 great glide and speed but for carving in the waves much preferred the older LA wings in surf perhaps it’s my weight 225 but the GL was supposed to be the cats meow but for me didn’t work good for me so sold em at a loss as usual.For me don’t like the direction there heading at the moment super HA not my style IMO they need to work on a hybrid of the GL and the older LA wings then they have my interest, but still love the Iwa in good sized surf,great big guy wing! So enter the winging era learned on the GF M280 but it is a slug so I opted for a Axis 1020/500 and was really stoked on it great winging set up for me compared to the M280.Then I decided to get a Axis 920 wing for supfoiling and was pleasantly surprised as it’s feels real good sorta a in between my Iwa and m200 kind of surprised me on the July 4th swell only had one session on it but was impressed so I will testing it out more, soon as we get some more swell,The thing I like about Axis they have so many options it’s spins your wheels and there quality is real good for a aluminum product that mast friggin stiff doesn’t have the flex that the GF has so currently pretty excited about Axis stuff ordered a 1150 for winging to get a tad more speed than the 1020,but the 1020 kicks ass, going to try it supfoiling one of these days on a small day,A lot of options Armstrong are real nice but Ferrari prices but sure like to try one! my 10 cents

Huh, you know the 1150 rides like the GL wings. Not your style.....

Trust me, my taste matches yours.

6

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: The Winging Speed Thread

« Last post by Dwight (DW) on Today at 01:54:47 PM »

It’s beginning to look like I’ll never break the 20 mph barrier with (Moses W1100) 2100 sq cm of front wing. I tired hard today. Crashed hard twice trying. I’m having a blast trying.

7

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Front wing size for different rider weights

« Last post by surfcowboy on Today at 01:01:44 PM »

I’m 140lbs and have a 2200-ish Wing. The stability is what people told me to focus on. Also, you will end up with a buddy who learns after you and you can sell it to them. 

8

The Shape Shack / Re: Custom Torx Tool for in water foil adjustments

« Last post by surfcowboy on Today at 12:58:30 PM »

Wetstuff, tell your wife I said she’s a lucky woman if you don’t fart in bed.  Do not broach this subject with mine.

9

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Actual vs Projected area

« Last post by clay on Today at 12:35:30 PM »

I have found it really helpful to talk to a rep of each company that has ridden a lot of wings.  They have told me how the wing rides and how the lift compares to something I have ridden.  Info I would have been lucky to accurately guess by looking at the numbers.

10

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Torx bolts??? I want to understand, why do you like them?

« Last post by clay on Today at 12:26:27 PM »

I hear ya.

I ordered a set of wera torx keys, I'll report back...