Author Topic: Axis Hybrid boards  (Read 5978 times)

Badger

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Axis Hybrid boards
« on: January 20, 2023, 05:36:38 AM »
Has anyone tried the new Axis Hybrid boards for winging?  https://axisfoils.com/collections/downwind-foilboards

They look very much like the Kalama E3 boards but at a lower price. I really like the looks of these shapes for all-around flatwater cruising and casual bump riding. I want a board that gets up on foil easily in light wind and also slogs well when gust hunting during lulls.

I'm 65 years old and around 165 lbs without a wetsuit. I'm considering the 6'4 x 24" 110L over the 100L just for the extra inch of width.

My current board is the Naish Hover Ultra 5'10 x 29" 110L which has more stability than I need. How challenging will the Hybrid board be compared to what I'm on now?

Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

Dwight (DW)

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2023, 12:06:31 PM »
Go for it. I’m riding a similar custom board. 6’2 x 23.5. Great light wind wing board that is also great fun on windy days.

Badger

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2023, 12:18:18 PM »
Hey Dwight, I'd love to see a video of your board in action. Show us what it can do.   8)
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

radair

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2023, 07:25:45 PM »
Don’t be afraid of that 1” of width. If you’re comfortable on a 110L board now dropping 10 L won’t be a huge adjustment. The narrow width is helpful for board speed in light wind.

Badger

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2023, 03:11:27 AM »
Don’t be afraid of that 1” of width. If you’re comfortable on a 110L board now dropping 10 L won’t be a huge adjustment. The narrow width is helpful for board speed in light wind.

6'2 x 23" just seems really narrow compared to conventional boards. Is it going to require superhuman balance to stand on it in the chop or is it the board shape that gives it stability?

At what point does performance hinder ease of use? I imagine the lower volume might be more stable than a board that is too floaty. I weigh 165 lbs without the wetsuit.

Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

surfcowboy

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2023, 08:06:36 PM »
My advice is to try them, don't discuss. Too many people are riding them for them to be bad. Unlike short surf SUP's It seems these work. It's the foil. When we were figuring out small sup we didn't have a giant pendulum/dagger board underneath.

They aren't exactly easy I hear, but neither is foiling. Also, people finally have stopped standing around when not surfing. If we'd done that 10 years ago we'd not have half the bad rep we do in the lineup. 😆

Badger

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2023, 12:32:44 AM »
Kalama had a 6'1 x 23" 105L available at a better price than the Axis so I jumped on it. I think I'll be okay riding it but choppy days could be a challenge. Some initial flatwater paddling sessions to get used to it might be good balance training.
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

AGK

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2023, 08:21:53 AM »
Badger, I would be really grateful for your review once  you have a chance to try the Kalama -- I am vacillating between that size (6'1")  and the 6'5".  I'm an experienced but (at best) average foiler and about 10 lbs heavier than you -- it would be great to hear how much bottom end your board adds and how hard it is to deal with the narrower width (I've been on 26-27 inch wide boards).  So Thanks in advance!

Andy

Badger

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2023, 10:15:43 AM »
Badger, I would be really grateful for your review once  you have a chance to try the Kalama -- I am vacillating between that size (6'1")  and the 6'5".  I'm an experienced but (at best) average foiler and about 10 lbs heavier than you -- it would be great to hear how much bottom end your board adds and how hard it is to deal with the narrower width (I've been on 26-27 inch wide boards).  So Thanks in advance!

Andy

For sure. I'll do a full review in a few weeks.

TJ at Big winds was super helpful in answering my questions and offering advice. You might want to give them a call as well.

Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

Dwight (DW)

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2023, 03:26:16 PM »
Some things to consider based on all the variations I’ve built and tested.

I have a 6’2 x 27.5 for SUP only. Used it a few times for light wind winging.
I have a 6’2 x 23.5 for SUP only. Used it a few times for light wind winging.
I have a 5’5 x 23.5 for winging only.
I have a 5’5 x 24.5 for winging only.

My old wing board was 5’0 x 28

All Kalama style boards.

In a back to back wave catching comparison, SUPing tiny knee high waves. I found the 27.5 caught more waves. LESS FALLING. Could be more aggressive positioning for the wave and paddling. What I found is, when you’re almost out of control balance wise paddling, this lack of control transfers to the entire flight on foil. Same results with my buddy doing the same comparison.

Winging my 5’5 x 23.5 wide versus 24.5 wide. The 23.5 is the winner for performance. BUT, I need to be able to put my hands on the deck and just stand up when the wind quits. My knees are shot.
I must avoid sailing on my knees at all cost, so 24.5 wide is my go to. Jacky and my buddy, love the 5’5 x 23.5 wide size. Better upwind, better pumping (better than a 4’10) , lighter. Much higher performance than short and wide boards.

188 lbs

« Last Edit: January 25, 2023, 03:29:59 PM by Dwight (DW) »

bigmtn

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2023, 04:22:10 PM »
In other words, narrower is better, if you can control it (balance, etc)

Beasho

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2023, 04:33:51 PM »
I am going to start sounding like a broken record:

WHAT DO THEY WEIGH!

Funny how everyone is salivating over every inch, yet no one is asking how heavy they are? 

Not a whisper on that link above. 

Badger

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2023, 04:41:57 PM »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

Dwight (DW)

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2023, 06:36:28 PM »
My 5’5 x 23.5 x 72 liter is 11.0 with deck pad.
My 5’5 x 23.5 x 92 liter is 12.4 with deck pad.
Full durable construction, not comp light.
But not building for anyone but my wife.

Badger

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Re: Axis Hybrid boards
« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2023, 03:11:35 AM »
I agree that knowing the weight is important. Axis says their boards are "built to be light for optimized performance". On one hand, we want to trust them but it also makes you wonder if they are trying to hide something.

Having the weights available on the Kalama website helped to lean me in that direction. 13.56 lbs seems pretty good for a 6'1 x 23" 105L production board.
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

 


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