Hello everybody, I just bought a slingshot wizard 105 and an infinity i76 wing. Thanks if you want to answer to those useless questions! I hope I will prove myself all when on the water but by now here (Italy) we have to wait, so...
Because I only windsurfed since now I was a bit scared about few points regarding foiling with this equipment (maybe was better to write before buy, but anyway, things are already done):
- Is this setup slow? I mean not looking at numbers but at sensations, will I feel slow flying over the water? Is this happening only with low wind? Or if I have enough wind to fly I will perform good? Will I have the classic beautiful windsurfing speed sensation?
- Is it a good idea to buy another wing, like a i65 to handle the equipment when the wind is blowing harder than, let's say, 20kts? Or it will be better to just skip the foil and continue with a 80/90lts wave board? Is this wing (i65) giving me a much higher speed or it's just more easy to control?
- I bought this board and foil because I didn't want to buy a race sail... Will I be stable enough as well in flight? I will never perform good enough like let's say a jp 155 with a 6.8 cambered sail? or I just need to change the wing and put a warp speed and than I will be with (as fast) them?
- Can I touch the water while flying? I now is silly but it's interesting just to understand if I can, I only see people doing that with bigger sails and boards... will I have enough support from the smaller wave sail?
thanks a lot
Andrea
ps. I know that once in the water I will be a beginner in foiling, and speed will be the last thing in my mind, but just don't consider that please, I only would like to have an idea of how foiling will be in the future!
Most sailors starting windfoiling have those questions in mind.
Lots depends on your windsurf skills, equipment, and your physical size.
Speed. I76 can go 20 knots. Decent windsurfer on fast freeride gear exceeds 26 knots.
But...foiling is a different sensation. You're up 1-2 feet, and the world looks different from up there, mostly a bit scarier.
Also, in the same wind, you are using around 1.5 to 2 meters smaller sail than windsurfing.
Depending on your size and skill, I65 kicks in around 15 knots wind and can take you close to the wind limit. BUT, it's around 850 sq cm, and speed foilers are using 350-500 sq cm front wings for less drag and more control at speeds over 25 knots.
Windfoiling beats windsurfing when winds drop below around 16 knots, and kills windsurfing when winds drop below 12 knots.
That said, I live in the lightest wind part of San Francisco bay, but almost always get overpowered with a 4.5 sail windfoiling, yet the slog out to the wind and the lulls is LESS than 3 knots of breeze. Gusts seem to always exceed 20 knots on the lightest days.
Hand drags are possible any time you're foiling, from 7 knots wind up to 40+. It takes practice and skill.
STABLE depends mostly on steady wind, and usually foiling takes constant small adjustments to react to wind changes and current changes.
I have some time to elaborate.
As long as you are not a heavy weight the 105/76 is IMHO one of the best alround sets of foiling gear you can get.
For me the 76 feels plenty fast enough, its top speed is slower than the top speed of your average freestyle windsurfer, but you will cover more ground than the average bump and jump sailor as you rarely will need to schlog, and you will be able to foil through many gybes that they will not plane through.
Foiling in general feels faster than WS as you do not deal with chop. There are faster wings eg the i65 and the warpspeed (I have both). They are cool but they do not handle the lulls as well and crashing at higher speed is not the most enjoyable thing. The warpspeed with regular wave/freestyle sails is about as fast as your average slalom sailor. The problem with the faster wings is that they tend to be harder to gybe, although my first full foiling gybe was on the 105/warpspeed combo. When the wind picks up I often just stick with my 76 and it does awesome.
I dont think you will be disappointed with the lack of speed on the 76, as you will focus on the experience and maneuverability of the windfoil. Most people who came from a race/slalom WS background went with racier foils and those who came for a wavesailing/freestyle background wend with freeride foils and I think in general people are satisfied with this. Although, there may be a trend of people who started on racier foils moving to more freeride wings
I would say stick with the 76 for a while, but you will definitely want to experiment with other wings in the future. One thing about the warpspeed is that you basically need to be at planing speed before it lifts onto the foil, so you need to carry more sail.
Oh wow!! You're going to love this foiling! I'm in my 9th session so far, and I've got the basics down. No foil gybes yet, but I'm in flight all the time now with 1 minor crash per session. It's great to be out in light air.
I chose the i84 so I could foil in lighter winds. I'm 175 pounds, not heavy enough for the i84, but chose it to reap the benefits of the extra energy stored in the i84 for earlier lift, and haven't regretted the choice. I love the wing! It's plenty fast for me. It's a little slower than the i76. Enjoy your foiling adventure!
It was really great to read all of you! I just opened the box and had a look at the foil...wow it's impressive to see how is packed carefully... it's really heavy, more than I figured out looking at pictures! thanks again, I can't wait to try it!!!!!
You will love that setup. Just got that board after a year of using the slingshot foil and i76 wing. It is amazing how the i76 makes the board feel big when you need it(ie uphualing) and small when you want it to carve hard down a wave with no swing weight. I have not tested its light wind abilities much(<10kts) but I think it could have similar low end to the wizard 125 with good pumping technique as long as your not too heavy.
Yes the 105 has nearly as good light wind ability as the 125 for me, I am 75kgs. For me it was even better in light wind than the Freestyle 115, the wider tail and increased volume in the back really help with pumping.
Got the 105 and i76 combo and took it out today in gusty 15-25+ With a 4.5, I'm 195lbs. I've only foiled a couple times up until today and I had a blast. Everything felt balanced, in control(despite being way overpowered). Up and flying no problem, got 2 jibes. Could uphaul or water start without to much trouble. Can't wait to spend more time with this setup!
Select to expand quoteMilSurf said..
Got the 105 and i76 combo and took it out today in gusty 15-25+ With a 4.5, I'm 195lbs. I've only foiled a couple times up until today and I had a blast. Everything felt balanced, in control(despite being way overpowered). Up and flying no problem, got 2 jibes. Could uphaul or water start without to much trouble. Can't wait to spend more time with this setup!
Nice. It's a tossup between the W105/i76 and the FS115/i76 as to which is the most versatile piece of kit out there.
After reading a ton and watching all the vids, everyone said you simply can't go wrong with this setup. I can now personally say that's true. I initially tried to pice together everything to see if foiling is what it's all cracked up to be. JP super sport 127 which I already had, power plate adapter and found some used Neil pryde foils. It worked and I had fun but could tell it was all pieced together. Decided to pull the trigger on a full dedicated foil rig and could not be happier.
Select to expand quoteMilSurf said..
After reading a ton and watching all the vids, everyone said you simply can't go wrong with this setup. I can now personally say that's true. I initially tried to pice together everything to see if foiling is what it's all cracked up to be. JP super sport 127 which I already had, power plate adapter and found some used Neil pryde foils. It worked and I had fun but could tell it was all pieced together. Decided to pull the trigger on a full dedicated foil rig and could not be happier.
I learnt on the wiz 125 before switching to the 105 and I am lighter than you. Do you think you could have started on the 105 without your prior experience on bigger boards?
Yes I think so, only had 3-4 sessions on a bigger board. Been windsurfing for a while though which I think helps. Uphauling doable but a bit tricky. Underpowered water starts helped and just overall balance of windsurfing on small stuff. But overall I came from next to zero foil experience so I would say yes, especially if lighter for sure. I don't feel I went to small and definitely don't feel I'll outgrow it
Select to expand quoteMilSurf said..
Yes I think so, only had 3-4 sessions on a bigger board. Been windsurfing for a while though which I think helps. Uphauling doable but a bit tricky. Underpowered water starts helped and just overall balance of windsurfing on small stuff. But overall I came from next to zero foil experience so I would say yes, especially if lighter for sure. I don't feel I went to small and definitely don't feel I'll outgrow it
Very cool
what weight Andrea ? im 80 kgs i am a few weeks in front of you - just got 76 and wizard 125 - mate its great !! your set up should be very similar.
they are surprising heavy when you set them up but on the water it works well for me
All your Q's are good and much more experienced people here than me can - but i think they will be answered with a couple of sessions in right breeze -
I have been in 25 knots with small wave sail - its doable for foil beginner - put it this way the I76 foil wasn't the problem.
i am not worrying about different foil sizes yet - maybe try and get the best outy of the I76 and then work from there - we are going into winter so not great time to be hitting the drink - keep us informed as you enter the warmer months !!
