Duplicating my wingfoiling post to get sage advice from the dedicated foilers...

Currently riding 85cm V2 mast + 60cm fuse which dates back to kiting days. Keen to change down to a shorter mast and shorter fuse, and probably grab the dart 120 tail. Use case is downwinding with parawing and occasional winging.

First question - given that I'm basically replacing everything but the front wing, if I was to switch brands now would be a logical time. I know its a question that is asked a million times but is there a better option balancing cost + performance compared with Armie (riding HA880)

Second question - is the performance carbon mast worth an extra grand? In a shorter mast with a not huge weight (I'm 75kg) is there enough improvement to get excited about?

Demo other brands. Performance mast is a huge improvement. Lots of good stuff out there.

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hilly said..
Demo other brands. Performance mast is a huge improvement. Lots of good stuff out there.

yeah... I feel like i'd just end up spending a whole season doing that. First off i don't have a metric of comparison of smaller mast + performance mast + shorter fuse for the armie, so to compare similar items I'd first have to try that setup for a few sessions to get a feel for it, then try each other brand for a few sessions to get a feel for it, then forget how the first setup performed and start again

I guess a better question is are there any stand-out performers for the classic WA downwinder. Locally I seem to see majority code followed by axis, but not sure whether that is driven by performance or availability.

Code, AFS, Axis, flitelab, KT, unifoil, fone etc etc. all good

In Perth you can't go wrong with Code. Plenty of punters on them. Get a 720S or 850S and a plus mast. The new kid on the block is the AFS enduro 700 or 900. Im currently using armie, nothing negative to say about it apart from the excess of bolts. The HA880 is my go to downwind foil set up on 795 performance mast, 60 fuse and crisp 130 flex tail. It is not the fastest setup but downwind turns are smooth and nice forgiving stall speed. I love the simplicity of the new One Lock system from Slingshot, but needs a few years for front wings to develop and get real world tested. I'd also like to see if Patrik Aeon Foils will develop their foil range further into winging and downwind. They are leading the races in windsurf foils and making super solid carbon masts with titanium fuselages. Ultimately ride what your mates ride.so you can steal foils, tails and have spare gear to ride when conditions change.

yeh as others have mentioned lots of good brands, lots of choices. My stand outs this summer was the KT atlas setup (it's like a refined and well thought out through armie Ha ) very forgiving, extremely early lift, stable, can ride even smaller sizes than even the armie Ha due to its obvious reflex and turns well. Similar fuse mast connection to the AFS which is the other stand out to me.

That being said a good local rider was in AFS for a month or two - gave it back and to ride his normal Armie gear and honestly he really enjoyed the 880 and smaller wings and tails - very easy and intuitive to use. EXCEPT when it came to the larger sizes - Armie do lack an efficient larger wing above the 880. 980 is doable and still really turny - we were shocked doing Dws in 12 knots using the 220 glide tail (red and blue shim) at the end of this season but even then it's getting a little draggy (mind you he is an accomplished rider most wouldn't know sh1t from clay). This is where the 1100 Afs enduro really stood out. The UHPmast is also a work of art. It does require more speed and better technique due to its efficiency and 11 aspect.

So try before you buy. Man even the axis fireball is another standout i didn't mention. Lots of choices with pros and cons across the board. Armstrong are working on an alternative wing for the reasons i mentioned above.

Easy to get caught up in the HYPE, I have ridden Axis, Armstrong, back to axis then back to armstrong, tried Code, AFS, F-One, Uni and I'm still sticking with Armstrong !!

SIMPLES Enjoy what you have.

90% of people don't ride their gear to its full potential anyways. At this point in time, I believe that most of the gear available is good gear and we just suck.

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VenturaShaper said..
90% of people don't ride their gear to its full potential anyways. At this point in time, I believe that most of the gear available is good gear and we just suck.

Agreed 100 percent

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VenturaShaper said..
90% of people don't ride their gear to its full potential anyways. At this point in time, I believe that most of the gear available is good gear and we just suck.

I resemble that remark Spent too much

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hilly said..

VenturaShaper said..
90% of people don't ride their gear to its full potential anyways. At this point in time, I believe that most of the gear available is good gear and we just suck.

I resemble that remark Spent too much

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CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Duplicating my wingfoiling post to get sage advice from the dedicated foilers...

Currently riding 85cm V2 mast + 60cm fuse which dates back to kiting days. Keen to change down to a shorter mast and shorter fuse, and probably grab the dart 120 tail. Use case is downwinding with parawing and occasional winging.

First question - given that I'm basically replacing everything but the front wing, if I was to switch brands now would be a logical time. I know its a question that is asked a million times but is there a better option balancing cost + performance compared with Armie (riding HA880)

Second question - is the performance carbon mast worth an extra grand? In a shorter mast with a not huge weight (I'm 75kg) is there enough improvement to get excited about?

Just moved from Armstrong to KT ATLAS WING 730 front wing and 145 tail . Faster on initial takeoff and much more solid feel under foot . People say faster than the f_ one skate wing which was also a thought before going KT . Sunshine Coast board sports stock them .

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tinka said..

CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Duplicating my wingfoiling post to get sage advice from the dedicated foilers...

Currently riding 85cm V2 mast + 60cm fuse which dates back to kiting days. Keen to change down to a shorter mast and shorter fuse, and probably grab the dart 120 tail. Use case is downwinding with parawing and occasional winging.

First question - given that I'm basically replacing everything but the front wing, if I was to switch brands now would be a logical time. I know its a question that is asked a million times but is there a better option balancing cost + performance compared with Armie (riding HA880)

Second question - is the performance carbon mast worth an extra grand? In a shorter mast with a not huge weight (I'm 75kg) is there enough improvement to get excited about?

Just moved from Armstrong to KT ATLAS WING 730 front wing and 145 tail . Faster on initial takeoff and much more solid feel under foot . People say faster than the f_ one skate wing which was also a thought before going KT . Sunshine Coast board sports stock them .

didn't know KT did a 730 Atlas (you mean 790?) and faster on takeoff to what range and size? - the 880 HA - I would hope so .

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tinka said..

Just moved from Armstrong to KT ATLAS WING 730 front wing and 145 tail . Faster on initial takeoff and much more solid feel under foot . People say faster than the f_ one skate wing which was also a thought before going KT . Sunshine Coast board sports stock them .

Would be good to know which Armie mast and foils you're coming from to get a "more solid feel underfoot" for a better comparison. I notice more flex in the mast on the Atlas 960 than the Armie Performance mast. Below the span of the 960, KT carbon mast feels great.