Early days but I've ridden Code (720S) and Armstrong MA and HA, and now on F4 Orca 685 winging. F4 is smooth and feels effortless. Much more comfortable at speed too. So far so good!
Select to expand quoteWingnutz said..
Early days but I've ridden Code (720S) and Armstrong MA and HA, and now on F4 Orca 685 winging. F4 is smooth and feels effortless. Much more comfortable at speed too. So far so good!
How does the bottom end compare to the 720S, or 850 if you had one?
It has been a while since I rode the 720S, but I would say similar if not slightly better low end on the Orca 685.
The Orca feels effortless in that it has low drag, has an easy pump, and despite being a 12.0AR foil it turns well. Like I mentioned before, early days yet but I am enjoying it so far.
The Orca 685 sounds amazing but I'm not sure how I'd go on an 865 mast. Currently parawinging on 795 Armstrong which feels perfect, riding as high as I can. I imagine with less drag I could possibly ride a tad lower and still be riding more efficiently. Can't imaging going upwind on the 750 for too long. Anyone enjoying downwinding on an 865 mast? I know some local rippers like the longer mast to help crank turns on boat wakes and when downwinding. They are next level riders and I'm not sure I'm going to adjust to riding so high.
Anyone ride these against the AFS Enduros (AR 11, turn quite well, solid and efficient mast)? Curious how they compare.
Select to expand quoteSheps said..
The Orca 685 sounds amazing but I'm not sure how I'd go on an 865 mast. Currently parawinging on 795 Armstrong which feels perfect, riding as high as I can. I imagine with less drag I could possibly ride a tad lower and still be riding more efficiently. Can't imaging going upwind on the 750 for too long. Anyone enjoying downwinding on an 865 mast? I know some local rippers like the longer mast to help crank turns on boat wakes and when downwinding. They are next level riders and I'm not sure I'm going to adjust to riding so high.
I have the full Orca family, and use it for wingfoil. Mainly upwind to downwind.
And had a short first parawing session a few weeks ago on the 800.
I ride in long windy fjords in Norway, where the bumps are short and steep. And also sometimes on spots on the coast of Denmark and Sweden.
Most of the time on 3.5 wing, and 685 or 800, with my 91kg + wetsuit.
Before I was on full on wingfoil race gear. 106cm mast and F4 Wahoo foils. But the Orcas got me absolutely hooked on a different style of riding.
For the Orcas I started on 95 TE, but the last two months I have been on the 75 AX.
Would never imagine going that short, as I have always been Mr Tall Mast.
No problem with the mast length. But i have seen some comparison between different brands, and a F4 75 mast is almost as long as a 80cm from a different brand. Think it was code.
I can most of the time go comfortably upwind, with the Julitta 85l board. And no problem doing tacks in tall chop and bumps.
The Orcas also breach well, so no big issues if it sticks out a bit.
Have been on F4, or design by F4, since 2017. So can't really compare against other brands. But the Orca 685 is absolutely gold for me.
Have also let several mates try it, and they all get hooked. And they are usually suprised on how easy it is to ride.
Select to expand quoteSheps said..
The Orca 685 sounds amazing but I'm not sure how I'd go on an 865 mast. Currently parawinging on 795 Armstrong which feels perfect, riding as high as I can. I imagine with less drag I could possibly ride a tad lower and still be riding more efficiently. Can't imaging going upwind on the 750 for too long. Anyone enjoying downwinding on an 865 mast? I know some local rippers like the longer mast to help crank turns on boat wakes and when downwinding. They are next level riders and I'm not sure I'm going to adjust to riding so high.
Have a look at the F4 AX mast (listed under prone-downwind on their website).
It's a 'skinny' mast with reduced chord and thinner section. Comes in 75, 80, 85 lengths.
Select to expand quoteWingnutz said..Sheps said..
The Orca 685 sounds amazing but I'm not sure how I'd go on an 865 mast. Currently parawinging on 795 Armstrong which feels perfect, riding as high as I can. I imagine with less drag I could possibly ride a tad lower and still be riding more efficiently. Can't imaging going upwind on the 750 for too long. Anyone enjoying downwinding on an 865 mast? I know some local rippers like the longer mast to help crank turns on boat wakes and when downwinding. They are next level riders and I'm not sure I'm going to adjust to riding so high.
Have a look at the F4 AX mast (listed under prone-downwind on their website).
It's a 'skinny' mast with reduced chord and thinner section. Comes in 75, 80, 85 lengths.
You got me excited ha ha. I went to the prone/downwind section and it's not showing up for me(maybe country specific). I sent message and was told the 80 AX mast will be coming later this year.
I had a quick whip on the orca 800 demo currently here in WA courtesy of Pat Mchale. Set on the skinny 75 mast and 135 xtra short fuse tail. straight up and riding in downwind sup mode. Blends the best of a few foils. Compared to code I'd say it sits between the S and R range nicely. Easy to roll into turns and do tip breeches and equally at home pumping over bumps to maximise speed. All round a very good setup and pretty nice rig for anyone in the market for something new. The 800 is 99.5cm span so I reckon perfect big foil for sup ocean downwinders, the speed range of the foil felt great and easy point and glide wherever you wanted I wanted to go.
Did a single parawing stow Port to North Cott today on the 685 thanks to Pat McHale. I was on the 11mm 75mm mast. I've been riding the Armie Ha880 recently which is super cruzy for what I do (Parawing mini downwinders/upwinders) but I wanted something that has more speed with some roll. The 685 was effortless to connect bumps and felt slippery but so controllable. Amazing bottomed end with intuitive feeling when slowing down with good indication that you needed to pump (didn't just drop you). I went well powered with a 3.6m Ka'a parawing in 22 knots so didn't test the bottom end much and I had no issue getting on foil today. I did feel that it was easier to stall in take off than my 880 but then that's not surprising as it's a smaller foil. If I took shallower and more frequent pumps I got up easier than bigger less frequent pumps which I can get away with on the 880 mush easier. But the extra speed and crazy turning ability was worth the trade off for downwinding. I struggled to get home but it was very southerly and the Ka'a Parawing's isn't made for upwinders. I think the 800 with my Paia be nice combo for cruzier session. Absolutely stoked on this. Well worth a try peeps.
I've had a bit more time on the Orca 685 and to summarise:
Pros: Smooth, predictable, turns well for the wingspan, very good speed range, and a light setup overall.
Cons: F4 is performance gear however it must be said that the Orca wing tips are fragile.
The big one for me is the mast and foil bags are very poor quality (they are one generic size for each bag so do not fit properly, and the stitching is coming undone on the foil and mast bags after less than a month).
Lastly, F4 do not supply mast bolts and t nuts with the mast (they don't sell them either as there are too many variables, and they do not want to be held responsible for loss of masts and foils which is fair enough).
Overall I am very happy with the purchase, and I highly recommend the Orca and Wahoo foils (very different ride characteristics).
I would only hope that the bags could have been better quality and the correct fitment for the size of foil / mast / tail instead of a generic size for each item.
I don't mind buying mast bolts and t nuts, however nobody from F4 mentioned that they are not included which delayed being able to use the new setup whilst waiting for them to arrive from another online store (minor issue, but still slightly annoying).
Select to expand quoteWingnutz said..
I've had a bit more time on the Orca 685 and to summarise:
Pros: Smooth, predictable, turns well for the wingspan, very good speed range, and a light setup overall.
Cons: F4 is performance gear however it must be said that the Orca wing tips are fragile.
The big one for me is the mast and foil bags are very poor quality (they are one generic size for each bag so do not fit properly, and the stitching is coming undone on the foil and mast bags after less than a month).
Lastly, F4 do not supply mast bolts and t nuts with the mast (they don't sell them either as there are too many variables, and they do not want to be held responsible for loss of masts and foils which is fair enough).
Overall I am very happy with the purchase, and I highly recommend the Orca and Wahoo foils (very different ride characteristics).
I would only hope that the bags could have been better quality and the correct fitment for the size of foil / mast / tail instead of a generic size for each item.
I don't mind buying mast bolts and t nuts, however nobody from F4 mentioned that they are not included which delayed being able to use the new setup whilst waiting for them to arrive from another online store (minor issue, but still slightly annoying).
I received a 685 and 800 Orca today along with a mast and tail. The covers I received are different for each front wing but a tight fit on the 685. Quality of the covers seems ok but I agree could be better. The foils and mast are incredible if you ask me. The build quality and connection system is so strikingly next level. When you tap the assembled foil the whole kit hums like a tuning fork. Stiff like nothing else but brittle most likely so the wing tips will be fragile. If you want performance gear this could be it. If you ride shallow reefs or rock areas perhaps not the best choice. Once ridden it's hard to go back. Light wind downwinder today on the 800 and it was effortless for about 5km then I made a few mistakes and my parawing was a bit small to get up but I finished well. I half surfed up on my toeside to get up and the low end and frictionless feel made this quite easy. So I'm grateful already. Fully stoked!
I have 685 and 800 Orcas for demo in Perth along with 75cm AX mast and small 135 tail.
