Having noticed the variety of wind wing sizes being used by people of similar weights in the same wind strength.
Do people normally use smaller foils to match smaller wings, or generally stick to the same size foil and just use a bigger or smaller wing. Then there's stabiliser sizes as well. More wind smaller stabiliser??
At 80kg 12 to 20 knots wind intermediate winger what quiver size of wing would people recommend. Currently using 5m and 6m, but looking to upgrade.
Or at 20 knts would a 4m have enough power or maybe 4.5m and 5.5m.
Experienced wingers seem to be getting away with quite small wings and little wind.
I think the better you are the smaller wing you can get away with.. and these 'better' people usually use smaller foils.. They can also pump the wing like the energiser bunny but for for those older or less energetic people a bigger wing (and foil) is needed..
I'm thinking a 5 to 6m will work well in 12-20 knots for most people with a 4m being needed once it's around 20 knots or more..
First season 82kg winger here, 38 sessions. 6.5 Duotone Slick in 12 to 20mph with 1600sq cm Slingshot i76 front foil wing, standard stab. 4.5 wing over 20 mph. This 2-wing quiver seems OK for me for the time being.
Some people prefer being very well powered and using smaller foils. Others like using larger foils and just enough wing to get going.
For me I like the bigger wing and don't really want to go bigger on the foil.
gee, unless you can change foils i have found it hard to use a single wing for that range. For me it is something like under 12kn, 12-18kn, 16kn - 24kn, and above. I am 104kg though. Board size and design also plays a big factor at a bigger cost.
Bigger foils are best with smaller wings, faster foils are better with bigger wings, but then if you want to ride swell or do jumps then you need to right foil for the job too
Im 85kg. This is my 3rd summer on the wing. At a rough guess in 12-18kts I'm on my 5m. In 15-20kts I'm on my 4m. I ride 850 - 1200 cm2 Axis foils.
I have a 6m wing that gathers dust as I don't bother in lighter winds.
The Duotone 6m Slick SLS is good 8 to 20 , its very good to start in weak wind and really handles it well being over powered . My other wing is a 4.5 really doesn't come out until its 16 to18. I only use 2 foils 800 & 1000cm 2 Cab H series. I'm 90 kg
As has been said before, this is up to personal preference a lot.
Me, I'm one of those people who have gone smaller with progress.
At 85 kilos I started out with a 5,2 Ensis Wing (present for my 50th) and a Gong X-Over XXl (2100cm?)
Now I use the wing from 10ish knots on, but actually the foil doesn't get much use because the FLuid 1500 does the trick once you've got the hang of it.
In about 14 to 20 I prefer an Ensis Score 4,0 and Fluid XL (1500cm?)
20 knots and up I use a 2,8 Score and a FLuid LT (1250cm?)
All on an AK Phazer 90L
With frantic pumping I can get away with these sizes in less wind, going on too big a wing is no fun for me, but then the Ensis Scores have a lot of grunt and are said to be not forgiving fully blown. Can't compare as I haven't ever tried anything else.
Others are on alot bigger stuff and seem to have fun, too, so ths is obviously only one of many ways toward foil happiness.
Just for ****s and giggles: found out I can foil the 2,8 in less than 15 knots with the X-Over XXL if I pump like hell. Once up, I can easily cruise it.
I agree with ZeeG.
At 70kg, I'm pretty scrawny so can get away with smaller stuff. Consistent 9-12 knots I'll go Axis BSC 1060 and 5m Slick. It's all about getting flying.
Consistent 12-20 is PnG 910 and 4m Unit. Above 18 knots+ is the PnG and 3m Unit. Usually if it's 20+ consistent, I'll windsurf instead.
I really enjoy the feel of smaller wings for pumping and manouvering. Local conditions are often gusty, so if I rig a bit small it's a waiting game to some degree to get a puff and then you're up. Once up, I'm pretty reliable at gybing, so won't come off foil.
But for others they really like being fully powered up. Horses for courses.
Hi dkeating,
At 100kg, I use a 4.5m Slick SLS in winds from 10-18 knots, if the wind is the lower end of that range, I'll use a 97liter board and it's easy. If it's 15 knots I can get my 80 liter board up and going on a 3.5 with a few short pumps.
for beginners 5m or 5.5 is good for 10-20 knots depending on weight.
stabilizers don't shrink with speed. The Stabilizers do as the name suggests, they stabilize your pitch. If you're looking for speed you may go down to a smaller lower drag stab, but otherwise, smaller stabs mate the foil more pitchy, and larger ones give a more locked in feel.
the size of the foil you ride makes a big difference to the wing you need. My Leviathan wings pop onto foil with a single pump from the board and maybe 2 pumps of the wing. It's how I get going so easily with a small wing. Most big wings are slow and draggy, the SABFoil 1150 Leviathan is fast and slippery with mad glide for downwinding.
DM ??
I'm 95kgs and use a 7.0 if in doubt. I'd rather be a little overpowered with the Slick SLS than underpowered. Also depends on the foil. I prefer to have a smaller foil bigger wing combo.
DC
That's a wide range of wind so depends on frequency of gusts. I probably would start on 6.5 m then shift down to a 5,5 m if ample gusts. I like to have enough power to ride smaller foils. In those conditions the 1125 cm2 Armie.
I'm 83kg and beginner still. I started with a 5.5m wing and 1600 foil but struggled so went to 7m Mojo and 1900 foil. Makes life easier but you don't learn to pump properly as there is heaps of power. But I think the 6m would cover your wind range best. There are new season sails that are stiffer and lighter (Ocean Rodeo) so I'm guessing you'll need smaller wing area. Everyone says different things.
I'm 80kg. Generally using higher aspect foils between 800-1200 sqcm.
65L board I would ride a 7m at 12-14 knots, a 5m from 14-18 and a 4m from 18-20 (could ride the 5m up to 20 knots if I didn't have a 4m). A single wing quiver wouldn't really work with this board volume and a 12-20 wind range. A 5.5 could probably get me from 13/14-18/19 and a 5 would get me from 14-20.
90L board I would ride a 5m from 12/13 knots up to 15/16 and a 3.5 or 4m from there to 20 knots. I could probably get away with a 5m as a single wing quiver covering 12-20 on this board if I needed to.
Depends a lot on the board volume and the wing design. To the prior comment regarding wing materials - I don't totally agree that new stiffer and lighter materials allow for a smaller wing. I ride OR Aluula wings and while I feel they perform great, they don't have a great low end. Low end is governed more by design than material.
that's a big wind range but I'd likely be on my 6.5 unless it was favoring the higher end in which case I'd be on a 5.0.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
I think the better you are the smaller wing you can get away with.. and these 'better' people usually use smaller foils.. They can also pump the wing like the energiser bunny but for for those older or less energetic people a bigger wing (and foil) is needed..
I'm thinking a 5 to 6m will work well in 12-20 knots for most people with a 4m being needed once it's around 20 knots or more..
Agreed !!!
