I bought an Ullman Osprey 3.2 for strong winds and I wonder if anyone else share similar impression of this wing as I do.
I tested it once for 4-5 hours in proper wind.
The bottom line: I don't like it.
It could be that all wings (different brands/models) of similar sizes behave the same but I don't think that is the case.
Here are two major issues I was having with it:
- wing is unstable: when holding it on the beach or when flagging it - it doesn't want to stay at a given place, when holding it in a "driving" position it is still a bit unstable
- wing is a kind of "on"/"off" - either I feel like it has no power at all or it has almost too much power
On the other hand:
- I was able to ride it for many hours and would not be able to enjoy today's wind if I didn't have this (small) wing (other wing at that time was 5.5)
- I like the window position, I was able to see quite well through it
- handles are strong & comfortable
I used and tested 5 different wing brands/models in sizes between 4.5 and 6 m2 so these Osprey impressions are based on comparison with bigger wings of a different make.
Are these issues present only in small Ospray wings? Do all small wings behave in a similar way?
I will add more info after more sessions but I must admit that here we rarely have so much wind that my 4.5 Ensis Score is too big.
I never tried Ullman, but it is quite common that smaller wings feel more nervous. I experienced that with Duotone and Starboard V1 wings as well (Owened a 4m and still have the 3m).
At a lot spots you see that when the wind gets stronger the diff between the wind and gusts get also a lot bigger. So the smaller wings have quite often to deal with a way bigger range as bigger wings.
Besides that: a smaller wings reacts quicker on small movements as a bigger one. Once used to it, its quite fun 
The big bonus: you can wing where otherwise you wouldn't be out there :)
Jeroensurf, many thanks for the info that smaller wings are usually more nervous. Maybe I would love to ride a bigger Ospray.
I will add more impressions here after more sessions.
True that stronger winds are generally gustier. Just your body is creating a certain amount of mechanical turbulence upwind of the wing and the effect becomes more pronounced in stronger winds. You'll notice that mainly flagged out and on start ups.
When I was windsurfing on nuking winds using my wave board and 3.3 windsurfing sail I didn't notice more nervous behaviour compared to bigger boards/sails (when the sail was properly rigged). It was much nicer to ride smaller equipment - everything was much easier and waves were more enjoyable to ride.
I expected that riding a smaller wing would give me a similar feeling. I will wait for a few more sessions and write more impressions here ;)
I,m wavesailing 30y+ (see my avatar) and at most spots I sailed wind gets gustier when its stronger.I love to sail my 4.1/3.7 but the reaction is also a lot faster and more nimble as with 5.3. If you can control it, it opens up whole new levels of performance, if you cant control it, its nervous. The same with wingfoil 
, you just need time to adapt.
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..
I,m wavesailing 30y+ (see my avatar) and at most spots I sailed wind gets gustier when its stronger.I love to sail my 4.1/3.7 but the reaction is also a lot faster and more nimble as with 5.3. If you can control it, it opens up whole new levels of performance, if you cant control it, its nervous. The same with wingfoil , you just need time to adapt.
With the Ensis Score 3.5 I didn't notice similar behaviour so I guess this is the Ullman Osprey issue. I guess they messed up design of that wing. Hopefully, the new Osprey v behaves nicer.
