greg87foil said..
I'm considering getting an Armstrong setup and this thread has been very helpful. I've been learning to prone foil on an "old" Naish Thrust L. I'm comfortable behind a boat in the wake without rope, also second wake back, but can't flat water pump (yet) or connect waves. Frothing right now though as yesterday I had kindof a breakthrough session, waves were perfect waist to shoulder and clean, and managed to catch and ride about 20 waves or so, 5 or 6 of them for a long time, stoke is high!

In order to improve my foil level though I want to get onto a platform that's going to allow me to learn how to pump and get different wings when I progress further. I feel there's been so much progress in foil design in the last 2-3 years, and I like what I'm reading about Armstrong, I also like their design philosophy.

I'm 74kg, and riding an Amundson 4'6" 35L board. Foiling in up to head high waves for now. I'm trying to figure out which wing would be best for me? 1250, 1550 or 1850? From what I'm reading the 1850 is better in many ways than the 1550 (higher aspect ratio) and even faster than the 1550, so I don't see why anyone would get the 1550 over the 1850? But the 1250 seems to be really nice too (also higher aspect ratio than the 1550) although I'm sure harder to pump than the 1850. Fuse and mast length I was thinking prob keep it standard, 60cm fuse and 72cm mast (for now).

Thoughts?

greg87foil said..




Thanks!! The 1250 won't be too hard to learn from scratch how to pump ? That why I was considering the 1850..

toppleover said..




For a beguinner foiler at your weight I'd be looking at a 1850 or 1550 to make it easier but def possible on a 1250.

kobo said..




Pumping is mainly technique and energy, I can pump all my wings but the HS 1850 is the easiest, but I only prone it in smaller surf an DW. The HS 1550 surfs and turns beautifully, and is the best all round option if you can only get one wing, it is great for small to medium size waves. The HS 1050 is a ripping machine ,high performance but higher skill level needed ,best for medium to large waves, I would not recommend HS 1050 for a learner. The CF 1200 is like a smaller HS 1550 and can handle larger waves and is easy to ride, also at your weight a great one wing option . Don't have the 1250 but from what I have gleaned it's fast and pumps and glides good if you keep the speed up, but probably doesn't turn as easy as 1200,1550.

Main said..




How would you define small, medium and large waves ? small= up to waist high, medium = waist to head high and large over head high but paddle-able ???

Pasquales said..
I made the same mistake of trying to prone foil the 2400, and realized it was for lite wind winging only. Had the 1850 out today in shoulder to head high surf, and needed to work to keep it in the water. Regarding stabilizers, I didn't know Armstrong had a 252, do you mean 232?

greg87foil said..
Ended up getting a good deal and got both the 1850 and 1250, with the 72cm mast, 60cm fuse and 232 rear wing.

So far only ridden the 1850 and WOW! what a difference in glide compared to my old Naish Thrust L setup. Had 3 sessions so far on the 1850 and instantly felt what "good" pumping is supposed to feel like. Wasn't able to pump at all on the Naish but now I feel like I'll be able to learn it on the 1850. In my last session my best "pump" was 50m back out after a wave. Stoked! The glide of the 1850 is amazing, although I have nothing else to compare it to. So far ridden it from 1ft knee high to shoulder/head-high.

Will give the 1250 a go soon too.

eddshep said..




G'day Greg, just wondering how you went with the 1250? I'm a beginner, 65kg, who can get on waves, but can't link, and can dockstart my diy foils okay. Just wondering if you (or anyone else) had any thoughts on whether the 1850 would be too big for me, or whether to go for the 1250 or 1550? Thanks!

hilly said..




1250

eddshep said..The 1250 is easy enough to learn to link waves with?

hilly said..




Sorry not into pumping but it has heaps of glide. The guys who pump down here love it. At your weight it should be no problem.

kobo said..
1850 is easiest to pump no matter your weight , Then it's a tossup between 1550&1250 for next.The 1250 is easier if you can pump because it's more efficient and fast, but the 1550 lets you make more mistakes and get way with it especially at slower speeds which is helpful when learning. At 65 kg any of those wing should not be a problem.

eddshep said..




What do you reckon the 1850 would be like in the waves compared to the 1250? If it's not terrible at turning, I'm thinking it might be more versatile and could be used for downwind, dockstarting etc. But I'm thinking it might be too much lift in mid sized waves? Thanks for the thoughts and excuse all the questions - it's a fair chunk of change, so want to buy the right one!

hilly said..




It is big for me at 105kg so at your size would be huge. Great for dock starts and tiny waves but over waist high it will be difficult. Small stab and +1 helps but still hard work.

kobo said..
I'm 82 kg and I can ride 1850 up to shoulder high no problem, it depends on the waves ,If the wave crumbles on breaking no problem , but if steep, you need to catch the shoulder so you don't get launched.Once up and riding, no problem and it's definitely not terrible at turning, my foil mates keep asking which wing I'm riding because they can't tell as they can all turn so well.
I prone all wings with the 212 tail and +1 shim ( makes them turn the best and reduces lift especially on takeoff )
I like 1850 most for smaller waves up to waist high because it turns great at slower speeds and it pumps the best. I also use it for DW also and it's great, because it milks the small stuff but still turns easily.I'm not into dock starts , but it would be the best wing for sure, especially with the 300 tail.( to give max lift )

1250 is much better in larger faster waves,( easier takeoffs, more control at higher speeds) haven't tried it yet DW but I recon it would be better in stronger conditions.It pumps great too, but you need to know how to pump, it does go well in the smaller stuff too, but not as good as 1850.

If you can only afford one wing, go the 1250 or 1550 , other wise 1850&1050 is a good combo, the 1050 is insanely good.( but need some experience to ride )

eppo said..
I've proned the 1250 In smaller mushy stuff and it did just fine. Pumps for link ups so much better than the only other wing I can compare it to - the axis 900. If it was one wing I'd go the 1250 and just get better learning on it. The goldilocks wing.

eddshep said..




That's interesting, the 900 is fairly popular around here, with some pretty heavy guys learning to pump on it.
Hey last question, I promise. Erik from the Progression Podcast has said the 1250 can't handle having a wing tip out of the water, ventilating and collapsing straight away; has anyone experienced that? I'm thinking it's not really a problem at my level, but would be good to know.

hilly said..
Surfing you can pop a wingtip and survive but it breaches like the 900 does if you get too high. Heaps of vid on Armstrong social media of wingtips out and jumps being made.

eddshep said..








That's interesting, the 900 is fairly popular around here, with some pretty heavy guys learning to pump on it.
Hey last question, I promise. Erik from the Progression Podcast has said the 1250 can't handle having a wing tip out of the water, ventilating and collapsing straight away; has anyone experienced that? I'm thinking it's not really a problem at my level, but would be good to know.