There has been a lot of interesting posts around wing sizing here, not least in the XPS/Unit thread. I think that it deserves its own topic. 
So, my personal experience is that you can use smaller wings earlier than you think. Recently, I have tried the "bigger foil, smaller wing" approach and it has worked out surprisingly well. Also, as my technique (hopefully) has improved, I can get going fairly early with my 4.3 wing.
My current setup is
2 boards. One 90 litre custom mid length, 6'2'' x 22'', one Axis Blast 65
2 foil setups, Axis Art V2 999 and 879 with Skinny stabs, 82 cm carbon mast thing
2 wings, NP Fly II 5.7 and 4.3
I am 80 kgs, improving wingfoiler, gybing, tacking, learning 360s and getting into some jumping.
This year, I have used the 4.3 a lot more than expected. With the V2 999 and my 90 litre mid, this is a playful setup and I think that I can get going in about 15 knots. So, looking into 2025...
So, to the question. My main thought right now is to go 5.5 and 4.0 this year. But... maybe I could actually get away with a 5.0 as my biggest wing...? I have tried a PPC M1X 5.0 and man, that was a great wing! Not grunty and needs a bit more work to get going, but when you go it is so effective. Very addictive feeling, which I would like to experience more of. :)
And, also, what is the view here that people seem to be going towards smaller wings, but also smaller foils, in general? One advantage of going small, if you can get going, is that you get very effective with less resistance. More speed, but also more maneuverability. I tend to lean more towards playfulness and freedom rather then ultimate speed and power when wingfoiling and am getting into doing more DW runs (with wing).
Most people can definitely use a smaller wing if their kit is tuned right with the correct board and foil choice. The struggle comes when you ride in changing, variable conditions. Here's a good example:
This past summer I was riding the AFS Silk 1050 w/132 tail on the 75cm UHM mast in west winds with the current opposing the wind, coming from the east. That foil was relatively maxed out at 30 knots of wind because it struggled to keep up with the swell and while it was casual for going downwind, it wasn't playful. At that wind speed a 2m sail worked fine but I would have had more fun on a 650-850cm^2 foil which would have needed a 2.5m sail.
Switch to my session from two days ago: Same foil, stab, mast, but it was averaging 38 knots and gusting to 45 knots from the east. So, the wind and current were moving together. In that wind I used a 2m sail and the 1050 was cutting it up like it was no big deal.
So.... it all gets a bit complex and confusing but yes, you can use a smaller sail and bigger foil for sure, just note the conditions each day and consider to yourself what foil the conditions call for.
100% whatever your biggest sail is will make your light wind skills better. I can make my 4m with 1050 on a neutral buoyancy board work down towards 10 knots with technique. Very difficult, but I can do it. I wouldn't have learned how to do that though if I owned a 5m, I would have just gone out on a bigger sail.
I really agree with those final thoughts. I big wing will help to improve light wind skills. You need power to learn.
I still find it very fascinating, and challenging, to understand the multiple possible options when wingfoiling (foils, stabs, fuses, board size and type, wing size and type) combined with the conditions (wind, waves, current etc).
Select to expand quotemasse said..
I still find it very fascinating, and challenging, to understand the multiple possible options when wingfoiling (foils, stabs, fuses, board size and type, wing size and type) combined with the conditions (wind, waves, current etc).
Infinite complexity for sure!
Select to expand quotemasse said..
There has been a lot of interesting posts around wing sizing here, not least in the XPS/Unit thread. I think that it deserves its own topic.
So, my personal experience is that you can use smaller wings earlier than you think. Recently, I have tried the "bigger foil, smaller wing" approach and it has worked out surprisingly well. Also, as my technique (hopefully) has improved, I can get going fairly early with my 4.3 wing.
My current setup is
2 boards. One 90 litre custom mid length, 6'2'' x 22'', one Axis Blast 65
2 foil setups, Axis Art V2 999 and 879 with Skinny stabs, 82 cm carbon mast thing
2 wings, NP Fly II 5.7 and 4.3
I am 80 kgs, improving wingfoiler, gybing, tacking, learning 360s and getting into some jumping.
This year, I have used the 4.3 a lot more than expected. With the V2 999 and my 90 litre mid, this is a playful setup and I think that I can get going in about 15 knots. So, looking into 2025...
So, to the question. My main thought right now is to go 5.5 and 4.0 this year. But... maybe I could actually get away with a 5.0 as my biggest wing...? I have tried a PPC M1X 5.0 and man, that was a great wing! Not grunty and needs a bit more work to get going, but when you go it is so effective. Very addictive feeling, which I would like to experience more of. :)
And, also, what is the view here that people seem to be going towards smaller wings, but also smaller foils, in general? One advantage of going small, if you can get going, is that you get very effective with less resistance. More speed, but also more maneuverability. I tend to lean more towards playfulness and freedom rather then ultimate speed and power when wingfoiling and am getting into doing more DW runs (with wing).
I been on that path.used to have several wings and many foil sizes. With experience and becoming more efficient I started reducing my gear. I now mainly use my 4m KT (Very powerful) and also have a 3 and a 5.
2 foils, ha 780 and ma 800. 2 boards, 115l sup/surf board. Decent for winging in super light wing and 60l sinker (soon to be replaced for a 56l)
