Yeah I am definitely excited by the concept. For a surf/downwind specific board it would have alot of advantages. It would get going early and allow you to use a smaller hand wing or foil. The narrow width would lay over in turns really well and probably feel more surfy than a boxy wing board. Definitely turns really really well when driven by the great Adam Bennets! He is riding the Amos Sultan wing/prone it looks like a sweet board.
Shape looks great but doesn't it seem like the boxes are about 4" too far back? Guess it could double as a windfoil board
Those are 40cm boxes, but they do look a bit too far back .
This board comes from a chopped tail Sultan DW that Mr.Bennetts was playing with ,maybe they kept the foil boxes in the same position?.
I think all surf wing boards will eventually look the same and vary only dimensions to suit the wind strength and rider weight/skill.
Race boards will probably be similar.
So really stubby ones likely to be for freestyle or flat water only.
+1 for a windfoilable version in the +100l sizes.
the takoon dw wing board looks sick and affordable: eu.takoon.com/products/ultra-glide
I've been riding a 5'3 x 22 x74lts Carbonco board for about 12 months now, sub about 6lts under my body weight.
Brilliant board, gets going in very light breeze and always gets me home if the wind drops. I hopped on a mates short stubby board and found I needed one size bigger wing just to get going. I'm mainly swell riding.
Carbonco is building some really progressive shapes, something the bigger manufacturers haven't caught up to yet.
www.instagram.com/the_carbon_co/?hl=en
I would be interested in the meaningful volume of a DW board for winging. For super light wind, it would have to be well above the body weight so that the board does not sink during taxi. but with the underwater hull already floats on the surface of the water. Otherwise, you will need the first 1 or 2 pump strokes just to get the board to the top of the water.
yeah i have just moved to a DW board (6'2 Fanatic DW) for light wing and find exactly this, my board is similar L as my weight and it takes a couple of pumps to get it up on top of the water, then it moves faster and gets up. Its easier to get on foil in marginal wind than my old rectangular board but only a little bit, not a total revelation which might happen with more volume. I've probaby shaved a couple knots off my bottom end getting on foil.
For light wind, my 6'3 x 18.75" 86L DW board has been great for my 65kgs. Actually, unless I'm going to try and catch air or the wind is over 18 mph consistently, I'm often tempted to just grab my DW board. It rides extremely well and excels at pumping / riding bumps. The narrow boards are very nimble and can lay it on rail easily.
I'm not sure If I would be gaining much if I were to drop 20-30L off the board. It would get even more tippy really quick. I would put the stability of the 86L at just a bit easier to balance than my 60L FG Armstrong board.
The +20L range is enough to give you the ability to also SUP the board, which is a challenge in choppy conditions, but easy in flat water.
Select to expand quotecaracol said..
I would be interested in the meaningful volume of a DW board for winging. For super light wind, it would have to be well above the body weight so that the board does not sink during taxi. but with the underwater hull already floats on the surface of the water. Otherwise, you will need the first 1 or 2 pump strokes just to get the board to the top of the water.
I have an Armstrong DW board (7' 2" length, slightly over 20" wide, 106 litres volume)-- these sit in the water more like a canoe than a flat bottomed planning surface wing board. They are relatively long and narrow and easily slice through the water (very efficient) to obtain the speed necessary to get lift from MA and HA foils. Because they are so narrow it takes some time to get used to the lack of stability, although holding a wing helps. I suspect we'll see wing boards that borrow these DW design features in the range of 6' and under -- they'll be 22 to 24" wide and vary in volume depending how thick they are.
Tried a friend's Freedom 5'7" x 22, 70 liters prototype the other day. I was super curious..
Board popped up w no pumping. What really supposed me was I tacked low one time and caught some chop on the bow. Prepared for the touchdown but it cut through it like butter. We were in the Bay but I pretended I was in the surf and jibed low and hard expecting to feel the length.
Nope !!! I think we'll def see a trend towards these boards that are a blend of the downwinder and a shortboard.
I will note that I tried the next size up Armstrong DW board in really light wind before deciding on the 86L. The bigger one was 96L, I think, and around 6'9" long. The added tail length made it more difficult to maneuverer the board and change directions. Definitely wanted to track straight a lot more, which is great for SUP, but less desirable winging.
Select to expand quoteMidAtlanticFoil said..
I will note that I tried the next size up Armstrong DW board in really light wind before deciding on the 86L. The bigger one was 96L, I think, and around 6'9" long. The added tail length made it more difficult to maneuverer the board and change directions. Definitely wanted to track straight a lot more, which is great for SUP, but less desirable winging.
I guess that's why these wing versions have a square tail instead of a longer pin probably
Had my first sessions with the KT Ginxu Dragonfly today, Not so small - 6'9'' x 18.5'', 95 L. First session with a Sabfoil WL1350, and when the wind picked up slightly switched to a Sabfoil WR880 (starting from 02:08 in the video).
No more windless days now, always "full power" : )
Select to expand quoteTaavi said..
Had my first sessions with the KT Ginxu Dragonfly today, Not so small - 6'9'' x 18.5'', 95 L. First session with a Sabfoil WL1350, and when the wind picked up slightly switched to a Sabfoil WR880 (starting from 02:08 in the video).
No more windless days now, always "full power" : )
Awesome! What's your weight and how do you find the board in turning and also pumping (other than it's a game changer for light winds??)
Select to expand quoteomg said..Taavi said..
Had my first sessions with the KT Ginxu Dragonfly today, Not so small - 6'9'' x 18.5'', 95 L. First session with a Sabfoil WL1350, and when the wind picked up slightly switched to a Sabfoil WR880 (starting from 02:08 in the video).
No more windless days now, always "full power" : )
Awesome! What's your weight and how do you find the board in turning and also pumping (other than it's a game changer for light winds??)
72 kg. The swing weight is not bad at all, both the nose and the tail are light weight. My board while still a bit wet weights 5.1 kg. Pumps ok. Maybe it's hard to see but I am pumping the smaller foil (843 cm2) almost the entire video, including throughout the 360 turn and a tack, it was so light, I was mostly hyped for being able to fly in such conditions. Waiting for some wind now.
It turns ok apparently. www.instagram.com/p/Ctw4TEXv674/
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Looking forward to all the repair work when those black boards pop in the sun.
There is a lot of volume in those, I doubt a single vent would allow the expanding air out fast enough. Add to that the surface temp getting close to the epoxy fail point and a sure it's recipe for disaster. Anyone using these for light wind winging sure needs a bit of shade when they come off the water in summer otherwise pop!
Select to expand quoteairsail said..Mark _australia said..
Looking forward to all the repair work when those black boards pop in the sun.
There is a lot of volume in those, I doubt a single vent would allow the expanding air out fast enough. Add to that the surface temp getting close to the epoxy fail point and a sure it's recipe for disaster. Anyone using these for light wind winging sure needs a bit of shade when they come off the water in summer otherwise pop!
I'm weighing up a couple of different boards at the moment and both come in a pure black carbon finish, But I will definitely be requesting a white top coat if I do order one, also not that keen on the boards with no vent, claiming they have better foam to wrap layer adhesion, KT and Takoon to mention a couple !
Select to expand quoteMrFish said..airsail said..Mark _australia said..
Looking forward to all the repair work when those black boards pop in the sun.
There is a lot of volume in those, I doubt a single vent would allow the expanding air out fast enough. Add to that the surface temp getting close to the epoxy fail point and a sure it's recipe for disaster. Anyone using these for light wind winging sure needs a bit of shade when they come off the water in summer otherwise pop!
I'm weighing up a couple of different boards at the moment and both come in a pure black carbon finish, But I will definitely be requesting a white top coat if I do order one, also not that keen on the boards with no vent, claiming they have better foam to wrap layer adhesion, KT and Takoon to mention a couple !
@MrFish
While on the topic of downwind boards, here's a vent plug of the KT downwind board.
Select to expand quoteYoungbreezy said..
Yeah I am definitely excited by the concept. For a surf/downwind specific board it would have alot of advantages. It would get going early and allow you to use a smaller hand wing or foil. The narrow width would lay over in turns really well and probably feel more surfy than a boxy wing board. Definitely turns really really well when driven by the great Adam Bennets! He is riding the Amos Sultan wing/prone it looks like a sweet board.
MR Bennett's could ride an ironing board and make it look good. I would prefer to see vid of a an average rider on a wider board then a super narrow board. Me thinks the super narrow will result in some swear words. Somewhere in between will be perfect. For my 105kg I find 26 inches wide is good. Especially with the tails cut away. Each to their own I prefer ease of use over performance due to weight and age 
Select to expand quoteTaavi said..
Had my first sessions with the KT Ginxu Dragonfly today, Not so small - 6'9'' x 18.5'', 95 L. First session with a Sabfoil WL1350, and when the wind picked up slightly switched to a Sabfoil WR880 (starting from 02:08 in the video).
Looks awesome! Which wing size do you use here? Seems to be quite small for the light.
Select to expand quoteNikOnFoil said..Taavi said..
Had my first sessions with the KT Ginxu Dragonfly today, Not so small - 6'9'' x 18.5'', 95 L. First session with a Sabfoil WL1350, and when the wind picked up slightly switched to a Sabfoil WR880 (starting from 02:08 in the video).
Looks awesome! Which wing size do you use here? Seems to be quite small for the light.
@NikOnFoil Thanks. That's 4.6 m2. Getting going was never really a problem, even during the quieter moments, that size is just so easy to pump. But maintaining the flight would have been for sure less exhausting with some bigger wing.
my .02 -> I'm really loving my new DW board for light wind winging from Jacko/ONE! 7'2x19x94L (for my 80kg). It is a weapon for LW conditions with few downsides IMHO.
note my only other reference is 30 or so days on a 6'1x25x108L One EGG SUP Foil board (never SUP foiled it thou)... ART 1099/899 and 5M Glide... been windsurfing since a kid in gorge etc and windfoiled a bit before winging... switched to the 7'2x19x94L for the past 3 days... conditions were light, small lake gusty, shifty avg 8-10 gusts 15-18... i honestly had 1-1.5hrs of initial frustration/setback in progression to deal with... no biggie, like anything new... also tried a new mast and foil at the same time as board so.... the -6inches of width was an adjustment but forces you to nail footwork more... after getting used to it for a day or 2, i think it has really elevated my progression overall...
pros of newer dw shape (7'2x19" is my ref):- more board speed = smaller/faster/more playful foil +/- smaller wing = :o)... this is the #1 reason to use these boards IMO
- more board speed = stability (from all 3 wing, foil, board)
- boxy rails, length and bottom shapes have a big impact on mitigating stability lost due to reduced width (as does foil size/setup)
- riding in the middle of the board with the leading edge of the mast +30 inches from the tail makes a 7' board ride WAY smaller than you'd think. while it will never feel like a sinker, that's not the agenda
-narrow/needle/bottom shapes bounce off water even at speed when touching down = WAY less deceleration, way more saves, way less negatives on touch downs IMO... this characteristic is a big win for progression IMO.
-reduced windage.... wasn't a big issue before but newer shape certainly cuts thru air just like it does thru the water :o)
-easy starts... i'll be honest, i fall a lot learning / progressing in this sport so starting fast and quick and getting back on foil is really important for the 1-2hr i have for a session and it also really mitigates the crappy lake conditions by lowering the energy needed to get on foil. i almost can't imagine needing anything bigger than a 1000cm foil and 5M now for +8knots now... which is the big win in speed, maneuverability and fun!
cons of narrow dw shape:
-reduced width and deck area = less stability at standstill/initial start. once you've adapted your start, this isn't an issue IMO... (as WAY more stability comes from using the wing)
-greater length is less convenient/ +PITA travel, etc. i guess we have choices in life... when skis are 180cm and bike wheels are 29" cause they are the best tool available for the job... a 7' board is not a real inconvenience (however, bonjour **GONG - please make a few smaller sizes on the narrow inflatables, merci :o)
hope this helps - go for it!
Select to expand quotehilly said..
For my 105kg I find 26 inches wide is good. Especially with the tails cut away. Each to their own I prefer ease of use over performance due to weight and age
Look at Naish Downwind Hover 125. It's 7'4" x 25". I got one recently, works great for lightwind winging, very stable.
I just got my preordered Gong 7'6 inflatable (without strap option) last weekend and today they launch the strapped versions 
(to be fair they come only end of august so i cover our summer strapless 
)
With two sessions on the board flatwater paddling and winging my conclusions so far are:
- It took some getting used to to balance and paddle for me, even on a dead flat lake and despite being an advanced wavesupper using 130 liter SUPs (me 93 kg)
- Paddlespeed is higher than with a standard SUP, despite the mounted foil under the board
- I had no chance getting on foil with the Leviathan 1150, too less paddle speed and/or too less lift or technique (i guess i need a Levi 1550 or 1750 or try my good, old Moses 873)
- Handpaddles generate much more speed than the "real" paddle, avoiding the balance issues when standing up. But after ten minutes my shoulders where wasted.
- Winging: Lightwind gamechanger, my 5.7 Ozone Flux will be my biggest wing in future, no need for a bigger wing, since the board accelerates with the slightest pull in the wing, even using just a 102/1240 frontwing
- Balance is more sensible than the 132 liters suggest, but nevertheless starting is much easier than with my 5'1 x 24, 89 liter wingboard. With this board the wing session woud've been hard work, with the DW board it was fun.
- Maybe other brands refine the shape of their coming inflatable DW boards a little more, with some nose rocker and sharp edges at the tail using the carbon/foil plate by expanding the plate to the bevels.
But my goal is achieved, avoiding the need for a 7m or 8m wing for lightwind. Everything else is a bonus.
Has anyone checked out the Takoon Ultra Glide - how does it look on paper? eu.takoon.com/products/ultra-glide
Also, for winging is it really mandatory to get a +20 liters over the body weight to get the advantage of these DW type of boards over the "normal" wingboards? What I mean, if I only ride waves, and would like to be as minimalistic as possible by having the same liter board as my body weight and similar to my current normal board with the added benefit of having narrower board benefitting in turning (no side contacts to water) but would it have any benefit in board speed over my normal board (5' x 24") if sized like that, around 6' x 20"?
Where I ride, we have very short and somewhat steep waves, so I fear having a longer board whose tail would then catch the face of the wave when turning?
Select to expand quoteAlexF said..
I just got my preordered Gong 7'6 inflatable (without strap option) last weekend and today they launch the strapped versions
(to be fair they come only end of august so i cover our summer strapless )
With two sessions on the board flatwater paddling and winging my conclusions so far are:
- It took some getting used to to balance and paddle for me, even on a dead flat lake and despite being an advanced wavesupper using 130 liter SUPs (me 93 kg)
- Paddlespeed is higher than with a standard SUP, despite the mounted foil under the board
- I had no chance getting on foil with the Leviathan 1150, too less paddle speed and/or too less lift or technique (i guess i need a Levi 1550 or 1750 or try my good, old Moses 873)
- Handpaddles generate much more speed than the "real" paddle, avoiding the balance issues when standing up. But after ten minutes my shoulders where wasted.
- Winging: Lightwind gamechanger, my 5.7 Ozone Flux will be my biggest wing in future, no need for a bigger wing, since the board accelerates with the slightest pull in the wing, even using just a 102/1240 frontwing
- Balance is more sensible than the 132 liters suggest, but nevertheless starting is much easier than with my 5'1 x 24, 89 liter wingboard. With this board the wing session woud've been hard work, with the DW board it was fun.
- Maybe other brands refine the shape of their coming inflatable DW boards a little more, with some nose rocker and sharp edges at the tail using the carbon/foil plate by expanding the plate to the bevels.
But my goal is achieved, avoiding the need for a 7m or 8m wing for lightwind. Everything else is a bonus.
Same as me, the 7'6" arrived on Monday this week and have had a few wing sessions on it. It was a bit of an impulse buy. I am really interested in dw boards and would like to eventually sup downwind but the cost was putting me off. At 700 euros, sure why not.
Straps on a board like this don't interest me at all and the couple of sessions I have had I have enjoyed experimenting with foot positioning.
For lightwind winging its a win from me. I went out last night with a 4m cab mantis in 10-14knts, gusty dropping variable wind. The sort of wind I just wouldn't bother with on my regular gear for fear of a long paddle home (had a few of these in the past). Had zero issues getting flying at any stage, and that was with a 930cm foil!
There was residual wind swell which was almost glassy, was surreal riding them and was pretty impressed with it, the extra weight seems to help with momentum and it pumps decent too. Will enable a lot more water time (just don't tell my missus) !
This DW board looks interesting for winging.
morwatersports.com/products/afs-blackbird-foil-board
Here it is in light wind action.
