Hi all, I'm hoping to get some advice about a light wind setup (10 to 14 knots range).
I reckon I've progressed to the point where I can't blame my crappy pumping technique anymore for not getting going on those light days so hoping to add to my gear if it'll make a significant difference! Been wing foiling for nearly a year, comfortable riding heel side (natural & goofy stance), toe side & starting to link my turns nicely (mostly natural stance though). Weight 78kg.
Currently riding a Fanatic aero 1750/ 75/ 78 & sky wing 5'8.
My Duotone 5m slick wing starting to feel bit stretched (compared to my new 4m) so thinking of upsizing to 5.5m with stiffer canopy? Not keen to get a light wind specific wing in 6 - 8 m size as I don't want to be limited to using it only in very light wind. Essentially replacing my old 5m. Usually on the 4m now when wind 18ish+ knots anyway.
Would the Duotone aero glide 1305 make much of a difference? If I had to get another foil, I'd prefer something that I can progress with. Any other suggestions?
Also not too keen investing in one of the new downwind specific boards (don't want to spend too much $$ & hoping to downsize my current board to around body weight in litres soon).
Wondering what you all would adjust to my current gear that would make the biggest difference in those lighter breezes (note - I'm not aiming for super light conditions!)? Mostly winging on river with small wind swell. I'd prefer to stick to Duotone range for foils (compatibility with existing gear) but open to different brands for a new wing. Thanks ahead for your thoughts!
Select to expand quoteAlso not too keen investing in one of the new downwind specific boards (don't want to spend too much $$ & hoping to downsize my current board to around body weight in litres soon).
I think you got it all wrong. The wing doesn't matter much - bagged out or not. The foil doesn't matter much as long as it isn't super small for your weight. Light wind is all about the board. Go narrow and long canoe style even if its low volume.
Your 1750 HA aero will be easier to get up on foil in light winds than the 1305 glide
A 100kg mate said little difference between 1750 and 1305 in getting up. Long narrow boards are amazing in light winds, but cost lots. Might be worth seeing if 5.5m wings with great bottom end are going cheap, last year's models can go half-price
Keep the 5m, stop reading about 'bagging out' on forums and use it until it falls to bits.
Add a 6.5m Slick v3 if you can find the budget or a good original Slick (better low end than the SLS) if you don't have the budget.
At your weight a 6.5m will get you going at 10kts easy enough.
It is very true that a narrower board DW style will go earlier with a smaller wing but at the end of the day there is no substitute for area. Its simple physics.
Different for everyone and even locations and temperatures make a difference.
Lots of benefits to a 3 wing quiver such as always having a wing with a sweet spot for the wind on the day. Spreading the wear of your wings out. And if your on the water a lot, being able to use the one above or below to keep you on the water when you inevitably send your foil through the wing and it needs repaired.
93kg/58yo and can use my 6.5m Slick v3 between 10/12kts and 20kts on quite a wide 28.5" Patrik AIO.
If I switch to my Gong Crusader 22" wide I can get going in 7 to 8kts with the 6.5m.
In real world conditions its more a case of getting on in a gust of maybe 10kts then staying on the foil, the narrow board won't slow down when it touches down as much as a wide board so is forgiving in transitions if you fluff it.
I bought an 8m Duotone Ventis for very light wind foiling and TBH I hardly ever use it as the difference between getting going on it and the 6.5m is marginal.
Select to expand quoteI think you got it all wrong. The wing doesn't matter much - bagged out or not. The foil doesn't matter much as long as it isn't super small for your weight. Light wind is all about the board. Go narrow and long canoe style even if it's low volume.
I agree with this. For light winding winging you can either choose to use a large hand wing, large foil, or longer and narrower light-wind specific board, or a combination of all three for ultra light wind. A smaller hand wing and smaller foil are much more fun to ride, while a longer and narrower board doesn't make a huge difference when foiling, but makes getting up into foil significantly easier. Each pump is directly transferred to forwards acceleration.
I now always try to ride the smallest wing and foil along with a Takoon Ultra Glide 6'2" (80L) light wind board and it is great fun. The board weighs just under 6kg and is about the longest board I can fit in the car so I would t want to go any longer. Yesterday I was sailing with this board in 8-12 knots with a 4.6m wing and 950cm2 foil. Getting up onto foil was a few pumps and I was flying.
Sorry I?m relying on size: 8m2 F1 Strike cwc, 7,9f Gong Hipe perf and an 185cm span Gong Curve Frontwing
so I?m the first on foil at the river Rhine near mainz, germany
