Wonder if anyone has seen one of these boards or used one? I'm trying to confirm whether it is possible to set up the Wing Drifter with 2 front straps in a windsurf Y configuration? It looks like it is, but Keith Taboul says it's not in the comments on this video Thanks!

Image of an actual board directly contradicting the comments in the youtube video linked above

r0d.

those hole set outs look to narrow in the arch to allow double Y-straps IMO.
It might be possible but you would have to go in the front Y-holes at then back hole on the rear centres. Maybe ok for surfing and downing winding but not safe for jumping. Alan Cadiz in Maui has a setup similar.

Thanks Baldy, Ocean Surf Co in Aus posted this on their fb page in response to my (same) question. Looks ok to me and big shout out to them. I'm very grateful. I think Quatro should revise that video or they may find sales taking a hit because people think you can't set up the front straps as a Y.

Being an ex windsurfer I'm loving the double front foot strap option on my new Naish Hover.. and using long straps let my feet just slip in without even looking.. I much prefer this over having the single front strap.

Good info. Has the Wing Drifter been released?

what is safe positioning of straps for jumping? in general.

Strange they have gone with the double rear rather than just the single. Might be better for non switch use. It's been that long since I've been on mine I can't remember how far across my back foot goes. Getting back on the water for the >5 km crew before Christmas is looking very unlikely if Dan sticks to his plan.

They did not intentionally plan on using a windsurf Setup on the straps. The two plug-rows in the back are to set one footstrap offset with one diagonal in the front. I was about to buy one of these boards until I realised that. Looks like a SUP-foil setup rather then a wingythingy setup. Something that I do not like with the Fanatic Sky SUP I actually use for winging...

Does anyone know of a weight? If it is really light, it might be worth a try and install the needed plugs.

David

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DavidJohn said..
Being an ex windsurfer I'm loving the double front foot strap option on my new Naish Hover.. and using long straps let my feet just slip in without even looking.. I much prefer this over having the single front strap.

Hey DavidJohn,Do you ride toeside with that footstrap setup or only switch ,
mainly interested in toeside from a wave riding point of view.

Switch.. but I can't see toeside being a problem because I can pretty much get my front foot near the centerline.

Quatro screw holes for straps

DavidJohn,

good info! How do you like the Drake Footstraps? Are they very sticky, ie. potential to get your foot stuck and break the ankle?

Guys: Add strap mounts with stick ons from NSI. If you cure them properly they stay. No damaging holes in the board. Put them exactly where you want them. I've used them for 2 years on 3 SUPS. No failures yet.

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omg said..
DavidJohn,

good info! How do you like the Drake Footstraps? Are they very sticky, ie. potential to get your foot stuck and break the ankle?

They are great.. I haven't found them sticky at all so far although I've only used them with booties and only used them a few times.. It's with booties that most footstraps stick the most.. They are soft and thin to stand on but spring back up.

So any review?

Here's a review:

Many thanks, very interesting

I have just got a wing drifter 5'8,
only ridden it for an hour or so in some small flat swell in gusty wind. I'm still on beginner side of learning 95 kgFirst impressions, very good build quality and lightweight (5.88kg for 115 lit board)
More stable for size than I was expecting ( I dropped down from 6'11 fanatic sky)
Feels quite stiff on water
Turning is even better than I had hoped , unreal really
I stuck nose under a few times coming down off foil, rider adjustment thing more so than board shape I'd say
Rail releases easily when touching down
Handle in bottom great for carrying wind wing also
Overall could not be happier at this stage.
Could have got size smaller? Maybe
I doubt anyone would be unhappy with these boards

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r0d said..
Thanks Baldy, Ocean Surf Co in Aus posted this on their fb page in response to my (same) question. Looks ok to me and big shout out to them. I'm very grateful. I think Quatro should revise that video or they may find sales taking a hit because people think you can't set up the front straps as a Y.

Why 4 straps? You only need 2. Front strap across at 45 degrees and one back foot, so foot can go over other side to help turning. Needed for wave riding. 4 straps is a slalom windsurfer set up, so wrong.

Used my Quatro Wing drifter 5'8" 115L yesterday. Wind gusting to 20knots then dropping to 3/4knots.

I'm 86/87kg. Getting up from a knee start was really easy. As was wobbling back when the wind dropped so much I had to hold the wing up. The volume was in exactly the right place.

Board felt very nice and easy to use. I was in the front straps straight away. Going to try a diagonal centre rear strap next time.

Loving my Wing Drifter...5'4 at 90L

Cruising with the boy's on a Downwinder

I've used the 5'4 and I have the 5'2. 80L is perfect for my 82kg weight. I can get it going in about 10 knots using my 6m Unit and MFC Hydros 1600. Really enjoying this thing, I'm finding it's surprisingly stiff and easy to pump onto foil. The volume center is located closer to the back foot rather than the front foot like many other boards. This takes done getting used to at first and it can be easy to nose dive. Once you know the drill it helps make it extremely maneuverable in the air. I love the light weight and the carry handle on the bottom makes getting through the beach brake way easier. The offset straps take some getting used to, but I don't have a problem with them. I'm goofy, so I set mine up with the front strap all the way back and the back strap one hole forward from back stay closer to the volume. I place my left foot in front of the front strap and back foot up against the strap when riding on port tack. The foil basically goes right in the middle of the track, or a cm forward for more front foot pressure.

So far this is one of the best wing boards I've used so far. I also got the 6'0 to try my hand at SUP foiling, but haven't had the chance to try it yet.

-J

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DB2 said..
They did not intentionally plan on using a windsurf Setup on the straps. The two plug-rows in the back are to set one footstrap offset with one diagonal in the front. I was about to buy one of these boards until I realised that. Looks like a SUP-foil setup rather then a wingythingy setup. Something that I do not like with the Fanatic Sky SUP I actually use for winging...

Does anyone know of a weight? If it is really light, it might be worth a try and install the needed plugs.

David

Re weight: just got my 5'2 80L
What a beauty
5.3kg naked
9.5kg with Gofoil GL140+29mast+Gofoil mast adapter.

Loving the the 5'6" 105L. The responsiveness when flying is incredible. You are so connected to the board. My larger board is 120L Reef Warrior Iceman 7' long. Received the board Thursday so 2 sessions on the water. The Drifter is a challenge for me to get up on the board and then standup and grab the riding handles but I am getting there. The sweet spot for stability is much smaller. My wt 85 kg. Been sailing with Armstrong 1850/60/232 and 85 mast setup.

Riding swell is intoxicating and it seems jibes are easier due to less swing weight. Very happy. First session Friday was almost 3 hrs.

I have been adjusting the mast position moving it farther back as I started in the center. Center it just came up and stalled. Curious what other have found. See pic below.

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Jonthesailorman said..
I've used the 5'4 and I have the 5'2. 80L is perfect for my 82kg weight. I can get it going in about 10 knots using my 6m Unit and MFC Hydros 1600. Really enjoying this thing, I'm finding it's surprisingly stiff and easy to pump onto foil. The volume center is located closer to the back foot rather than the front foot like many other boards. This takes done getting used to at first and it can be easy to nose dive. Once you know the drill it helps make it extremely maneuverable in the air. I love the light weight and the carry handle on the bottom makes getting through the beach brake way easier. The offset straps take some getting used to, but I don't have a problem with them. I'm goofy, so I set mine up with the front strap all the way back and the back strap one hole forward from back stay closer to the volume. I place my left foot in front of the front strap and back foot up against the strap when riding on port tack. The foil basically goes right in the middle of the track, or a cm forward for more front foot pressure.

So far this is one of the best wing boards I've used so far. I also got the 6'0 to try my hand at SUP foiling, but haven't had the chance to try it yet.

-J

I totally agree! I've tried Fone, Fanatics, Armie and FSM, and, so far this is the best board for my style of riding which is strapless. The 5'2 80L is super well balanced. Great on Flat water and waves. Using Armie 85 mast and foils(1850, 1550 and now the 1250), short fuse, and, 232 stab.

Was out for over 2 hours today in flatwater conditions 15-20 knots. I found this video before hand. Really helped on my start although i did not straddle board. Will see how this works out for the next wave session.



Also moved my mast back further to the 1 cm position ( I manually marked these, not sure why they did not put something on there). Felt that really helped getting going. Could go back further but not sure how much room I have without switching to the other mast plate holes which would be a pain. Riding 1850 again today. Should see a 1250 this coming week.

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Foilnut said moved my mast back further to the 1 cm position Felt that really helped getting going.

Moving your mast back gives less lift and slower turning so it will be more manageable in higher winds. Further forward gives more lift and quicker turning with less swing weight so you get going easier in lighter winds.

"Moving your mast back gives less lift and slower turning so it will be more manageable in higher winds. Further forward gives more lift and quicker turning with less swing weight so you get going easier in lighter winds."

Thanks Hilly, that mirrors my experience.

I am running with 1 cm (based on my markings) now and that seems a good balance although as I become better I may bring forward for the faster turning and almost nothing in front of you feeling.

Also was trying to find a board bag. My local shop had the Armstrong 5'5"/80L bag and we tried that. The fit was perfect for the 5'6"-105L drifter. Like a glove and built well.

I have the 5'8" 115L and really like it seems like good build quality so far and a light good big guy winging board just fine for my 225Lbs.ride it strapless so can't comment on strap locations but do wish they put a couple of inserts on deck for a optional webbing handle,like the Kalamas as the foot strap inserts aren't really in a good spot to put a webbing handle on top balance wise,but the handle on bottom is very nice going out in shorebreak no doubt! But be nice to have a optional webbing handle on top sometimes too,minimal weight.Have to say great design by the KT and real nice for a production winging board, nice board especially for HW riders

Out of curiosity when would you use a top handle? A bottom one makes sense to me but I can't figure when I'd use one on the top.