Thinking of a second foil set up aside from my race gear
what foils is people riding any reviews
not looking at dropping a pile of $$ but wanting something to have some fun on 16+ knots bay swell /choppy water
not wanting a massive front wing or riding really slow
More an intermediate style set up
The correct answer is of course the Triton T1 with matching mast with a pocket board in the 80-110cm range, the shorter the better.
I have ridden many kite foils and bought and sold a bunch of gear. I was 'on the Axis train' constantly buying their latest and greatest (or different 2nd hand series wings to try), as well as borrowing or owning moses/sab, slingy, Go, etc . The only kite foil I'll buy now will be the T2 from Triton when that comes out. It's been good enough to permanently cure my GAS. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). ![]()
My icon pic there is the T1 with Naish Microchip - perfect combo for freeride. It can go slow without stalling, sometimes I poke along behind dingers or just have fun going walking pace without stalling. It can go fast - 20-25kts - not fast compared to a race foil but not a massive slow wing speed either. When I lay back and fire up in the gusts I can leave most freeriders behind, it's fast enough to be exciting without needing a helmet.
Turns on a dime, great for gybes tacks, 360s etc. Good for powered wave slashing - doesn't have the wave pickup & glide of a bigger wing set but it has the speed range and turning to make slashing around fun. Makes other foils feel too "on rails" and boring to ride.
Other benefits - really super light when paired with the triton mast set, but still reasonable cost as Aluminium mast. no tail or fuse, minimal sharp edges. I've landed on mine a few times lately learning tricks and very glad it's mostly rounded. This helps in whitewater too.
Cons - not the most efficient foil, likes a kite size up to some other foils. Always controllable at the top end of wind range though. Also not great for pumping.