Author Topic: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what  (Read 9632 times)

surfcowboy

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Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« on: January 02, 2021, 10:00:16 PM »
Pono represents a certain size range, but I’m closer to the other end of the spectrum. Based on the Slingwing thread I wanted to see what sizes were comfortable with what wind speeds and rider size.

This is mostly selfish as I’m not ready to get into real wind yet but after feeling what a 20mph day feels like I can’t imagine 30-40.

At my early stage with a 5m swing I can get foiling in 15 really easily and stay up below that of course (seems like maybe 10?) but I can’t imagine riding above 25 on that wing.

What do you Gorge and HI guys ride when it’s macking? And how do you put together a quiver? I doubt I’ll get into serious wind but wondering what the general ranges are like and what’s the top end. Are people really riding in 50mph wind?

VB_Foil

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2021, 05:42:49 AM »
When it is consistently above 28mph I go for my 2.2m BRM. Such a blast.
25-30 is the 3M
20-25 is the 4m
15-20 is the 5m
10-15 is the 6m
I’m a 5’9” 65kg rider:

Boards:
   4' 27L Armstrong FG Wing/Surf
   4’5” 34L Armstrong FG Wing/Surf
   4'11" 60L Armstrong Wing/Sup
  
  

Foils: Armstrong HA525, HS625, HA725, HA925, HS1050, HA1125, HS1250, HA1325
Wings: BRM 2M & 3M, FreeWing Nitro 4M, OR 5M & 7M Glide

dylbert_

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2021, 06:01:06 AM »
I am on a 5m swing from ~12kts- 17kts, 3.5m swing >17kts. 
When it gets over 25kts, my 3.5 starts to bend and deform, and I did tear the strut in those conditions,


PonoBill

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2021, 09:45:41 AM »
Are people really riding in 50mph wind?

It's rare, even in the Gorge, but yes, and it's bulk fun as the Aussies sometimes say (especially for fat guys). The biggest issue is getting back on the board when you fall. It's like being in a washing machine with someone aiming a fire hose at your face.
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.

pafoil

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2021, 10:04:29 AM »
Duotone echo
7m from 8 to 20 knt (can go to 25 if tension is applied).
4m from 20 to 30 knt
3.3m over 30

clay

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2021, 10:46:38 AM »
When it is consistently above 28mph I go for my 2.2m BRM. Such a blast.
25-30 is the 3M
20-25 is the 4m
15-20 is the 5m
10-15 is the 6m

These numbers +2-3mph and on f-one are what I use.  Often when it's 30+ where I go there is a low end in the upper teens and I am still working out what size wing I prefer, or said another way do I really want to get stuck far from the beach on a 2m?

I've been out in gusty 40+++ once early on and it was rough, a 4m was ripped out of my hands repeatedly.
Aloha, I welcome and appreciate all responses of positivity and good feeling.

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Admin

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2021, 11:05:29 AM »
Less than 14 MPH 5.0
14 average is 4.2
18 average is 3.5
If it is 30 or more 2.8. 

I would get on the 2.8 at 25 or more but I didn't love the Swing 2.8 so I just hold on to the 3.5 longer than I should.

I have high hopes for the Ensis 2.5.  If that one works we will need another one.

Foils:

Axis 760/390
Axis 860/390
Axis 980/390 or 420
« Last Edit: January 04, 2021, 01:02:03 AM by Admin »

Solent Foiler

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2021, 02:42:24 PM »
When it is consistently above 28mph I go for my 2.2m BRM. Such a blast.
25-30 is the 3M
20-25 is the 4m
15-20 is the 5m
10-15 is the 6m

Yup, same as Clay, these plus about 2 mph for me except I don't have anything smaller than a 4m but have used that up to 40. I use a harness which really helps in strong breeze and actually in two minds whether I need anything smaller now, especially as I've started getting into jumping so the boost is cool.

I think another data point is helpful though, which is foil sizes. I'm on the Veloce L (1300) as soon as I'm nicely powered on the 5m. If it's very light I'm on the XXL (1900) Veloce and 6m, and use the XL Veloce (1600) if it's marginal for the 5m or I think the breeze is going to fade although I'm using it less and less.

Wings and my weight are in my signature.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2021, 02:56:14 PM by Solent Foiler »
I'm 5'10", 66kg riding:
Swift Foil Boards custom 4'10 x 19.5" 35L
Gong Lethal 4'6 65L
Axis ART 799, 899, 1099, HPS 880 US & CS Adv fuse, 85cm mast
Gong Fluid L-S, XXL-S on 85cm and 65cm mast
Takuma RS 5.1, 4.3, 3.5

daswusup

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2021, 04:14:58 PM »
I am 182lbs 5'11"
I currently ride a SS V2 5.4 in 8mph-25 and a 4.4 in 18-35mph. I can handle gusts in mid 40's on the 4.4. I am riding at elevation 4,500'(Washoe Lake/Sparks Marina)-6,200'(Tahoe). This is important because the thinner air needs more wing than sea level. I would say its at least +1 Meter more needed here than sea level.
Like Solent says, a lot of the equation is to do with your foil size and that has a lot to do with your ability. As I progress, I want less wing, board, and foil. I never thought this time last year that I would be riding a 1200sqcm front wing on an 83L board in my normal 15 mph conditions. And now I have the Axis 980 and a Moon Buddy 5.0.

I am on the list for 3 and 4.5 Dart later this month.
Here is a nicely done comparison of the 2 in Wing Surf Mag:
https://wingsurfworld.com/magazine/the-shape-of-things-for-fun/

I'm stoked on the Dart being touted as a speed and hucking specific wing. It should pair nicely with my Axis 980.  It will be fun to try something that looks totally different than most others. It may open up some different sinker starting techniques too with the huge dihedral.

Beasho

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2021, 05:40:26 PM »
Weight 190.  Board 6' 105 liters @ 15.5 lbs.  15 sessions experience.  Comfortable going switch foot both ways.  Can barely jibe.  Windsurfed forever and could loop.   

18-35 mph: 5.0 Meter Duotone V2
14-25 mph: 6.4 Meter Slingshot V2

The upper limits are made possible (and I am referencing GUSTS not steady wind) with a harness.  All in mostly flat protected water.   

I was out on a day that was gusting 32 - 38 mph with my 5.0.  In the gusts I would just let the wing fly horizontal and slow down my speed.  I was out for an hour and never face planted.  All because of the harness.  Thank you DW for the recommendation.   

surfcowboy

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2021, 07:24:59 PM »
Interesting trend here in the data.

If you have more wings, your wings have less range. Noted.  ;D :D

But seriously, it is a challenge for the CA folks as the gusts are crazy here. But I can see how the whole system contributes. I did a light wind day the other day and if my pumping had been better, (board) I could have made it through more lulls on foil.

Solent I get why you’ve gone high aspect across the board.

Pono, I can’t imagine trying to manage a wing and leashes at 50mph. I’d need to just use an umbrella at my size.

This is a solid thread and very helpful for those of us figuring out what goes where.

StephenZ

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2021, 07:55:09 PM »
Close to VB_Foil above. In knots:
5m - 12 - 15.
4m - 16 - 20
3m - 20 - 25
Once it gets much above 25 knots, the 3m feels a bit much. I think a 2m would be perfect. As I don't have one, I prefer to kite in this range, as well in the sub 12 knots range, though I hardly do this.
As with kite foiling, there's a large range you could ride, depending on your style and how powered up you like to be.
For me, I prefer strapless low powered, just enough wing to get me up and riding and onto the next swell.

Wingfoilpassion

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2021, 11:20:34 PM »
Weight 72kg.
Ensis 6m 10-18kn
Ensis 4.5 12-25 kn
Ensis 3.5 20-30+kn.
That said I found out I prefer to ride a as much as small foil possible with a bigger wing, than the other way round.
So recently Veloce l with 6m in 14-18 kn is so much fun!
As soon as more wind, then 4.5 again with Veloce l.
With wind 12-15kn.I go with 6m and Veloce xl.
Board 4'10 lemon Gong. Always with kite stab 40.
Keto on winging🤙🤙🤙

Admin

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2021, 01:28:56 AM »
I can see how the whole system contributes. I did a light wind day the other day and if my pumping had been better, (board) I could have made it through more lulls on foil.

I noticed this happen along the way.  It was a progression as gear changed and I eased into it. 

First I bought the 5'4 Sky Wing which is super flat in the tail and picks up surface speed really easily.  I am sold on that design.

Then I went to a longer mast.  That allows you to hold the wing lower without dragging tips.  That gives you way more power from a smaller wing. 

Then I switched to foils which like a flat (no pump) takeoff 900, 1000, 760, 860.  With a smaller wing that also means switching to a low wing for your surface pumping.  That was a change for me as I had been pulling bigger wings in and more down.  This is much more vertical with only a hint of down.  Again, much more power from a smaller wing.  Low wing on the surface doesn't work well with big wings because they are always dragging/catching so you end up holding them high where they are inefficient and spilling a lot of air.  That ends up in a lot of pumping which doesn't really translate to speed or flying.






Solent Foiler

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Re: Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2021, 02:10:02 AM »
...
Low wing on the surface doesn't work well with big wings because they are always dragging/catching so you end up holding them high where they are inefficient and spilling a lot of air.  That ends up in a lot of pumping which doesn't really translate to speed or flying.

I've found this too and not really come to a good technique to resolve the problem. I'm not sure if the loose canopy of the 6SP is helping and whether a tighter one is better for on water pumping. I'm interested to see how the new Superpowers have been developed. Maybe I should just try the 5m more in light winds but then sometimes even with the 6 I'm struggling for power once up and foiling.
I'm 5'10", 66kg riding:
Swift Foil Boards custom 4'10 x 19.5" 35L
Gong Lethal 4'6 65L
Axis ART 799, 899, 1099, HPS 880 US & CS Adv fuse, 85cm mast
Gong Fluid L-S, XXL-S on 85cm and 65cm mast
Takuma RS 5.1, 4.3, 3.5

 


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