Wondering if anyone can recommend a hand wing that performs well in storm strength breezes - I am looking for a 30-40kt+ range ideally. Anyone have experience of the real world range of Armstrong 2.5 or Cabrinha Mantis 2.5? I have an Airush 2m but it's a smidge too small. Thanks in advance
Select to expand quotemikesids said..
Wondering if anyone can recommend a hand wing that performs well in storm strength breezes - I am looking for a 30-40kt+ range ideally. Anyone have experience of the real world range of Armstrong 2.5 or Cabrinha Mantis 2.5? I have an Airush 2m but it's a smidge too small. Thanks in advance
Airush also do a 3m. 30-40kn is a lot of wind...I can get foiling in about 20kn on the 2m so not sure if I'd need a bigger in 30-40kn...But, it also depends what you are doing, I guess. Going downwind you can ride a 4m up to 40kn gusts but on a reach I'd much prefer a 2m in 40kn. Actually, in 40kn, I'd only ever want to go downwind......
Mainly doing out and backs at my local coastal beach, riding swell on the way in. Repeat as often as you can. We've had a few big days where the 2.8 tops out at 35kt gusts, so looking for a step down size for added control, but not too small. . I figure anyone from WA, Maui , Tarifa , the Gorge , or Capetown might be tuned into higher wind conditions, interested to hear from y'all . @ PeterP - I've found my 2m needs at least 35kts to really get going, otherwise there's no power / resistance at all and if it lulls at all you just oversheet your back hand and fall in backwards ! You might have more finesse than me though.
My Dart 3 worked a treat in 40-50mph. I have found that the rigid frame of the Dart is why I love them so much. It gives a very direct feel with immediate power/acceleration. When I go back to the Slingshot V2 it feels like a wet noodle.
+Dart 3m, it really is an amazing wing. Love every second on it!
Super maneuverable and crazy good upwind.
Next level jumping, just check out the Spencers bros if not familiar:
www.instagram.com/finn_spencer/
www.instagram.com/jeffrey_spencer/
Hi.. 1st post! ...
I'm in Ireland so use small stuff.. I've 2.0, 2.5 and 3.1 Cabrinha mantis.. ( I share a quiver with my wife.. ) The wings feel great in strong winds with tight canopies and don't flip over at all when flagging in strong winds.. I'm 67kg and used the 3.1 in 22 - 30 knots no worries and the 2.0 would go for me in 28 knots + .. I find the build quality of Cabrinha Kites and Wings to be second to none.. Couldn't recommend them enough.. Mantis handles too are a huge improvement over the X2 handles (which i liked anyway) ..
Use an Axis BSC 740 / 420 combo with the small wings.. Seamless!
I bought a 2.8m wing hoping for a more comfortable ride in strong winds and something that was survivable in mega-strong winds. I found it a lot more twitchy than my 4m and requiring more care to avoid getting flicked off.
I don't know whether twitchy handling is a feature of small wings or the specific wing I bought.
I've had quite a few sessions on my 4m in stupid strong winds. Managing the power has never been a problem, as long as I let the wing float in my hands and self align with the wind. It only gets out of control if I overload my hands, or the wing pitches and gets into a position where there's too much weight on the handles. What is unpleasant is all the leech flapping and noise right next to my head.
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
I don't know whether twitchy handling is a feature of small wings...
It's an industry wide problem.
Select to expand quoteDWF said..Gorgo said..
I don't know whether twitchy handling is a feature of small wings...
It's an industry wide problem.
My 2.2M BRM is awesome! No twitchiness. Super stable and feels like a go cart. My favorite out of the lineup.
Select to expand quoteMidAtlanticFoil said..DWF said..Gorgo said..
I don't know whether twitchy handling is a feature of small wings...
It's an industry wide problem.
My 2.2M BRM is awesome! No twitchiness. Super stable and feels like a go cart. My favorite out of the lineup.
I have the 2m BRM and it reminds me of a light switch - On or Off ..... sort of nothing in between. Probably feels like that for me because we have not how our standard 35+ knot winter winds this year and I have not had the chance really ride it.
I love the 3m .....
Select to expand quoteMidAtlanticFoil said..
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My 2.2M BRM is awesome! No twitchiness. Super stable and feels like a go cart. My favorite out of the lineup.
Can't buy BRM in Australia, they don't ship outside of US. Not about to go there to buy one anytime soon.
I used my Cabrinha mantis 3.1 yesterday in wind gusts to 30kts and I'm 112kg and it was rock solid with a maintained shape at 8psi an incredible wing
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..MidAtlanticFoil said..
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My 2.2M BRM is awesome! No twitchiness. Super stable and feels like a go cart. My favorite out of the lineup.
Can't buy BRM in Australia, they don't ship outside of US. Not about to go there to buy one anytime soon.
I have some for sale 
BRM Cloud windwings that is.
Answered my own question today - 30kts average , with rain squalls blasting through up to 40kts easily, full on frontal conditions. Took the plunge and got an Armstrong v2 2.5m a few days ago. It was absolutely brilliant , handled very challenging conditions super well, I couldn't be happier with it. Good amount of power to get up on the foil but not twitchy - really well balanced. Didn't feel overdone at any stage, frame was rock solid. Used a harness with a mini boom to save my arms, glad I did ! Highly recommend this wing overall ( I am 80kg, on a 90l board , was on Axis 880 wing with 380 rear today just to give more context ).
I've been on my Konrad v3 3m this last week and there isn't anything twitchy about it. All smiles man.
I have been getting out on my smik 3.5m lately in the winter fronts, it feels smooth and well behaved even in the gusty conditions. Around 30 knots would be the comfortable top end, could hold it down in more though
Have used my PPC 2.8m enough in the last week to say it is a great storm riders wing - over 35 knots is not really fun, but this wing doesn't fold up under pressure and having had 3.3m Unit and 3.5 Smik to compare, the PPC feels more stable which is what I was searching for in a high wind wing
I did 4 hours in 35-40 knots on my PPC 2.8m. I found it quite twitchy with a little tendency to backwind. My 4m Switch is a lot smoother and more stable in the same conditions.
The construction of the PPC is fantastic but it didn't really add much to the range of my quiver. It certainly wasn't the wing for "survival only" conditions that I was looking for.
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
I did 4 hours in 35-40 knots on my PPC 2.8m. I found it quite twitchy with a little tendency to backwind. My 4m Switch is a lot smoother and more stable in the same conditions.
The 4m Switch handles strong wind really well, it's really stiff and stable. I had popped the bladder of my 3.5 F-One Swing on the Armstrong Flying V tail. The winglets on that stab are real canopy rippers, so I think I'm going to have to chop it.
So I pumped up the 4m Switch in 30+ knots on Saturday and it handled fine despite being overpowered. The port weather stations a km upwind of me were reporting gusts over 40 while I was out.
