Currently on a 4.5 and 5.5 wing. In true lightwind I keep going back to the windfoil kit (7.5m). However, I want to progress in wingfoiling so it is important to keep practicing, even in the lightest of winds.
What's holding me back is that I'm not sure if such a big wing is fun. For sure it is slower than the windfoil kit and I recon it is pretty cumbersome.
The windfoil kit and big wing kit could probably be used in similar (8-17knts) conditions. I'm ok with slogging, but the flying parts needs to be fun.
Ive flown a few 6 and 7m wings. Most of them are really cumbersome and compromised. I find the 7m FOne CWC to be the most "fun" of the big wings I have tried. It definitely flys smaller. It transitions really smoothly, luffs nicely, the tighter wingspan isnt cumbersome and it has a really wide wind range. Best "big" wing I have tried. I really didn't like the 6m Mantis, 6m SIC Raptor, 6m Slingwing all of which felt bigger, but had less power than the 7m CWC.
Fun is a relative term. Its not as fun as flying a 3-5m wing. I generally wont ride a small board + foil, and I wont be jumping on the 7m, but it is fun to progress flatwater moves and catch waves.
I'm 100kg. At first I hated my 8m FOne CWC. But once I figured out how to pump it in very short, quick circular pumps, I realized how powerful it is in light winds and it has saved many sessions for me. Transitions are still tough for me with this wing because it's so big and the handles are far apart. But it does its job. Relatively stable too.
If your conditions often require a big wing (ie light wind) I would say defiantly yes. I started with a 5m takoon, and eventually bought a 7m takoon for light wind. It's my most used wing (due to wind at my location). I also find it better to jump with in less than perfect conditions. A bit more cumbersome to handle during jibes etc, but gets me going. Normally I'm on a ha1125, so need power. I'm 85 kg, average wind is 5-7 m/s (10-13 knots).
I'm really in the progressing phase and I find that by wing 1/2 sessions and windfoiling 1/2 sessions, I've to find the rhythm again at the beginning of a session and progression is slower. Both are fun but I'd like to improve waveriding, jumping and tacks for the days there's a decent amount of wingable wind. Just a bit reluctant because I thought such a large wing might become boring after a while. I blast past crawling wingers on the windfoil often (however with the latest gear, the gap in terms of get and go and speed is getting closer).
I'd get a used 7.0 flysurfer mojo. From what I understand it is good in light wind, yet versatile.
I own a F-One 7CWC and that wing got a lot of backhand to get on foil, so the advantage is you can use a way smaller foil or foil with lot of glide(thinner...more HA...that requires boat speed) in low wind and it will glide forever.But, a 7m is not meant to learn wing ding. If you nail your jibe 100% of the time, you are an efficient on foil, you can think about going for a 7m. I still jump and do the same tricks I do with a 5 with the 7m...my repertoire is not very large however. ;-)
I know some people don't like the 7 & 8 m wings etc but I think they're brilliant and have given me plenty of fun sessions - I like the powered up feel of them over using a smaller size and pumping and have been able to even park and ride with them - they are like big sails, kites etc - of course they're not the same as smaller ones but if you don't live somewhere consistently windy then they get you more time on the water imo
for the light wind conditions I use Duotone Echo 7m wing. Despite that this wing in today's standards is outdated, I like the ability to change tension in the wing (I came from windsurfing). Use it together with low aspect Gong X-over with biggest surf stabilizer or with Sroka XXL foil.
I love riding small gear (4.8 m wing, 1125 foil, 50 cm fuse, 39L board) but most days that stuff can be too difficult to pump up on foil a 90 kg guy. My daily wing is a 6.5m A-Wing. Some days in lite winds, I can use the A wing with small gear. It's definitely cumbersome trying to complete transitions, but not impossible. It's important to use tactics like keeping the wing high.
Well, I purchased the 7m so I'll be back to answer the question if it's worth it.
Select to expand quoteNicoDC said..
Well, I purchased the 7m so I'll be back to answer the question if it's worth it.
What brand did you get? What's your home base? Good luck with the 7m!
6m Slick is my largest wing but I'm 78 kg and still keep a large foil for light winds. Have a video posted in the Video thread on the forum showing some transitions with the 6m and my big foil. It definitely feels like herding an aircraft carrier around during upwind/downwind transitions, but you get used to it
I briefly tried a 7m F1 Strike. Very efficient light wind wing (way better than my 6m Slick), BUT I really had to man-handle that wing to get it roll quickly enough during toe and heel side tacks. Decided then 6m would be my limit. I just kite foil in the really light (sub 10 knot) stuff
I am 78kg's and ride 7m CWC Strike with great results - session saver.
Very easy to handle a wing of this size.
Select to expand quoteDspace said..NicoDC said..
Well, I purchased the 7m so I'll be back to answer the question if it's worth it.
What brand did you get? What's your home base? Good luck with the 7m!
6m Slick is my largest wing but I'm 78 kg and still keep a large foil for light winds. Have a video posted in the Video thread on the forum showing some transitions with the 6m and my big foil. It definitely feels like herding an aircraft carrier around during upwind/downwind transitions, but you get used to it
I briefly tried a 7m F1 Strike. Very efficient light wind wing (way better than my 6m Slick), BUT I really had to man-handle that wing to get it roll quickly enough during toe and heel side tacks. Decided then 6m would be my limit. I just kite foil in the really light (sub 10 knot) stuff
Picked up the flysurfer mojo 7.0 today. I've heard great things about the grunt of the 6.2, so the 7.0 should provide power in the lightest breeze. It sure feels powerful with the big, straight leading edge and deep profile. Heavier and slower too but that's to be expected and will take some time to adapt.
The closest "lake" to me is a 45min drive. On a slalom windsurf board I got from one side to the other in about a minut if I could get through all the lulls. Any other spot is a 1.5 hour drive. All together, A big wing is much desired in ****ty lake conditions or when having a long drive only to end up with to little wind.
I started with Gong V1 7m, then replaced it with ozone v1 6m -- which actually had more power than the floppy butterfly original.
I hate being underpowered, winging sucks when you're madly flapping to get up. I generally err on side of being a little overpowered, as it's easy to spill off power while riding. So, yes, if you are somewhere with winds consistently below 15kt then having a 7m will be well worth it!
Negatives: It gets in the way a little while turning, you have to get used to holding it high. It can get heavy if surfing downwind, where not going fast enough and have it hold it up. At the high end, it may have so much power it feels like it is going to rip your arms out -- I feel it particularly in lats, like I physically can't hold it. A harness makes a huge difference, to relieve that excessive pull.
Enjoy the Mr. Big Wing.
Had my first 1/2 session in the 7m flysurfer mojo. In summary, it is exactly what's to be expected: a session saver. Started out 5.5, wind dropped a bit and didn't feel like using a big foil so rigged the 7m.
about the wing itself: very well build, very stable and more power than I ever felt. I could literally pump up to speed in what felt like almost no wind. It was so easy to build pressure that I could get going before there was enough wind to get up and stay in the air.
about big wings: Handeling is very different. Everything from grabbing the wing to get onboard, flipping the wing, manoeuvres,. feels more difficult with such a big wing. It'll take time to get as efficient as possible. Also it is not as fast, not as good upwind and strong gusts felt like slalom windsurfing without a harness. It is very intens but sadly less fun imo. However, this wing saved my session. If not I would've been waiting for a few gusts, strong enough with a 5.5. Also I'm sure that once I get better at riding this wing, it will benefit my overall riding with smaller wings a lot.
What I've learned: I was on the 75cm mast. I like it because it is very nimble , but next time I'll mount the 90cm mast because I had to ride max max hight to keep the tips far enough away from the water.
my question to you: do you ride a harness and if so which? I was already pretty tired after pumping around with the 5.5 but every strong gust felt so powerful that just that one pull to get me up and going was to much. I have a very good windsurf harness but that would be a pain to use climbing on board.
I bought an ozone harness about 3 months ago and use it most every session. Takes some getting used to and the hook can be slightly annoying hauling yourself up, but really saves my arms. For some reason, I only use it riding heel side, but my arms seem to tolerate toe side riding better anyway.
I have the Forward WIP harness, it is perfect for my needs. Saves arms and energy upwind, shift the hook well off to the side and it feels like nothing more than a waist leash riding the bumps back downwind. I always wear a wetsuit, this harness might be a tad too minimal without.
This is the cheapest way , a back support belt. Saves your back and used as a harness saves your arms and shoulders ! This one cost me 10 euros , been using it for 2 years .
