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Velocicraptor said..Windoc said..
While waiting for the new KT "Arc" parawing boards, I've been riding an Omen parawing-specific proto type, the "Pelagic" at 76L 6'6" x 17.5. I'm 93 kg. While I initially found it very narrow (I'm tall and like some offset in my stance), I've gotten used to it. It's actually quite low volume in the nose in contrast to the thinking that we need some volume to allow the nose to rebound and not bog, but the stand out feature is the ability to take off super easily. Being so narrow it rarely catches rail and a 77cm mast feels very sporty. In high wind it slices through the air going upwind. The KT will be 78L, 6' x 20.5 or so, so it'll be interesting to compare its ease of take off with some extra stability from the added width with the Omen's torpedo shape. The KT falls more in line with the Frank mini-Dart-style design. The Omen actually releases easier than my 7'6" SUP and is far less tracky, so if there's more than marginal wind for my 4.3, the Omen is good to go and offers a very high performance feel without being crazy unstable starting. Downside is I sink quickly if the wind lulls.
This post has some good nuggets in it. Interesting to compare the different design theories out there and exciting to see whats coming from KT/Omen. I'm guessing the lack of volume in the nose of the Omen is offset with some additional length ahead of the stance? Its not so much "volume in the nose" and more "volume ahead of the stance". Ive parawinged some lower volume wing boards without enhanced nose volume and I notice that my stance scoots back vs winging the same board.
I think "parawing needs volume in the nose" is an oversimplification, and maybe a bit of limited thinking. It's probably better to say that "parawing needs SUPPORT from the nose", or "parawing needs a way to stop the nose from diving". Yes, that can come from Volume - that's one good solution. It can also come from length out front, outline, nose rocker, and even the way tail rocker&outline allows a board to track through the water in a certain way. And obviously the best is a the perfect balance of all of those things (including volume). But just adding volume doesn't do much once you're already on the surface and the nose is above waterline.
