Author Topic: Window or Not???  (Read 3760 times)

Quickbeam

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Window or Not???
« on: August 06, 2019, 04:31:15 PM »
Here’s my dilemma. I’ve been looking at all the postings going up about the different wings and I see very few with windows. So far I’ve seen two, those being the Duotone and Slingshot Slingwing. If there are others out there with windows, I haven’t seen them. Maybe someone else knows of others???

In any case, in another posting I asked about the need for a window. Admin, who has an SPG wing, does not have a window on his wing, and says he doesn’t really need it. Pono Bill, who has the Duotone, does have a window on his wing, but says he doesn’t really use it.

My problem however, is that I live on a small lake that can get a lot of boat traffic. I’ve watched video of people using the wings, and it at least appears there are times when a window would come in handy, especially in an area with boat traffic. I do see people holding the wing overhead and even behind them, but then I also see shots where the wing is held to the side, kind of like a windsurf sail, where it would appear a window would be important.

To me this seems like a pretty important safety feature, yet so few wings have them. Am I worrying about nothing, or given my situation (small lake with sometimes heavy boat traffic), should I get a wing with a window?
Infinity Blackfish 12’ 6” x 23”
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 24”
Infinity Whiplash 12' 6" x 24 1/2"
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 26”
Bark Competitor 12’ 6” x 29”
Red Paddle Explorer (Inflatable) 13' 2" x 30
Starboard Airline (Inflatable) 12’ 6” x 27

PonoBill

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2019, 04:51:17 PM »
Actually, now that I'm up and foiling more instead of pumping and dragging I find the window a bit more important. I'm trying hard to do a foiling jibe, and the window is the only way I can see and be powered up going downwind.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

Quickbeam

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2019, 06:14:40 PM »
Thanks Bill. Exactly the information I was looking for. Think I'll stick to one of my two options.

Thanks again.
Infinity Blackfish 12’ 6” x 23”
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 24”
Infinity Whiplash 12' 6" x 24 1/2"
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 26”
Bark Competitor 12’ 6” x 29”
Red Paddle Explorer (Inflatable) 13' 2" x 30
Starboard Airline (Inflatable) 12’ 6” x 27

Admin

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2019, 02:48:52 AM »
Hi Quick,

If this is a priority for you it looks like the Takuma https://www.takuma-concept.com/75-63-wingride.html has the most window area.  They are doing a 4 and a 5 and are quoting 2-3 weeks delivery.








« Last Edit: August 07, 2019, 03:02:14 AM by Admin »

Admin

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2019, 03:33:18 AM »
PS:

It looks like Ullman is getting ready with a window as well.  3, 4, 5, and 6 (emphasis on 6).  Like SPG they are using a dual strut design.  South Africans love dual strut :).

https://www.ullmankiteboarding.com/products-hawk



« Last Edit: August 07, 2019, 03:49:08 AM by Admin »

Julie_Scheyer

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2019, 04:19:19 AM »
Duotone Foilwing rider.  Hydrofoil setup for Foilwings: Fanatic 1500 or 2000sqcm front wings, 80cm fuselage, 90cm Mast & Fanatic 5ft 68L Sky Solbach proto board.  SUP: SIC Bullet 16ft, Naish Mana 8’6”, Fanatic 6’3” wave SUP hydrofoil. Qb paddles

Julie_Scheyer

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2019, 04:26:36 AM »
Here’s a video with my chest mount and shows how I use them riding I can keep the wing powered and see and not have to raise it overhead.   

https://www.instagram.com/p/By5_gLFnkk2/?igshid=1vwd20we5ktco
Duotone Foilwing rider.  Hydrofoil setup for Foilwings: Fanatic 1500 or 2000sqcm front wings, 80cm fuselage, 90cm Mast & Fanatic 5ft 68L Sky Solbach proto board.  SUP: SIC Bullet 16ft, Naish Mana 8’6”, Fanatic 6’3” wave SUP hydrofoil. Qb paddles

Julie_Scheyer

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2019, 04:46:49 AM »
@admin, that photo of the Duotone your posted  from Mac kiteboarding was a prototype sample sent to them early, and the windows are bigger now.  I was looking at that photo confused why it seemed smaller.
Duotone Foilwing rider.  Hydrofoil setup for Foilwings: Fanatic 1500 or 2000sqcm front wings, 80cm fuselage, 90cm Mast & Fanatic 5ft 68L Sky Solbach proto board.  SUP: SIC Bullet 16ft, Naish Mana 8’6”, Fanatic 6’3” wave SUP hydrofoil. Qb paddles

Quickbeam

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2019, 07:33:20 AM »
Thanks so much Admin. I had no idea there were other options out there, with windows. Thanks again.
Infinity Blackfish 12’ 6” x 23”
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 24”
Infinity Whiplash 12' 6" x 24 1/2"
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 26”
Bark Competitor 12’ 6” x 29”
Red Paddle Explorer (Inflatable) 13' 2" x 30
Starboard Airline (Inflatable) 12’ 6” x 27

Admin

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2019, 08:38:29 AM »
If you are waiting I think you will find every flavor by next year.


Chan

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2019, 08:46:47 AM »
For wing-waiters without any prior wind sport experience, trainer kites are a terrific tool for gaining wind experience on land.  Just like wave knowledge is crucial to surfing, wind familiarity will accelerate the learning curve for first time wing surfers.

Quickbeam

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2019, 10:57:49 AM »
For wing-waiters without any prior wind sport experience, trainer kites are a terrific tool for gaining wind experience on land.  Just like wave knowledge is crucial to surfing, wind familiarity will accelerate the learning curve for first time wing surfers.

Thank you Chan. I had never heard of trainer kites and had to look them up. Sounds like a great idea. Will definitely look into this more. Thanks again.
Infinity Blackfish 12’ 6” x 23”
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 24”
Infinity Whiplash 12' 6" x 24 1/2"
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 26”
Bark Competitor 12’ 6” x 29”
Red Paddle Explorer (Inflatable) 13' 2" x 30
Starboard Airline (Inflatable) 12’ 6” x 27

nalu-sup

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Re: Window or Not???
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2019, 01:09:31 PM »
The one time that I went out on a Duotone, I found the window to be pretty important. I was in an area that was busy with windsurfers, and it was important to be able to see what was going on downwind and in front of me, especially when I was preparing to jibe. Once I was up, the wing was pretty constantly in the same position as a windsurfing sail would have been, and the window played an equally important role. Since then I have been in situations where I was windsurfing, and saw people using wings who were sailing on a broad reach towards me with no visibility.
It is certainly true that it is easy to lift the wing at any time and look around, but most people when powered up across the wind may not bother to do that. Personally, I think that windows are an important aspect of any wing (though I have almost no real experience beyond that one time, so this opinion may not be worth much).
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