I dont trust the bigger sized Wings yet. Need to know the measurements of the total width. I am a short guy and if the correct sailing position must near vertical and my ideal holding position is shoulder high, the end of the wing will drags in the water if not riding on foil.
Bytheway, my 3 and 4m Duotone is already ordered.
Nice looking Wingsurfer Colas. Pretty much the same design as Naish. So I would say the 5 Metre would be the one to start with for an 80kg plus or minus 10 kilo person.
The main differences between most is the central strut handle.
The Duotone's advantage is that one would not have to let go to take another grip position & controlling the wing by twisting the strut. Plus the wing stiffness adjustments. But the disadvantage in my opinion would be only the pack up & paddle when on the water if needed.
The Signature brand looks to have done their homework too with the twin struts. I would say it would help controlling the wing a bit like the Duotone strut.
Choices, choices. I will see what's available near end of July & make my decision then.
How to surf some glorified chop by letting the wing float neutral in the wind. Patrice Guenole, 100kg, 7m2 wingsail, 90cm (XL) foil wing.
www.facebook.com/patrice.guenole/videos/10219695725085979/
I've tried the Duotone wing twice as a demo and used a non foil sup both times. Each test was on very choppy days in 12 to 18 knots. I have ordered the gong 5m. I definetely think learning on flat water will aid progression very quickly but tides meant I had to go in the chop. The wing is loads of fun and you look a right clown in the water trying to learn. Picture juggling 2 leashes, a board, a 5m kite that keeps wanting to turn over, pulling yourself on the board with hands (or do u hold the wing?), then to your knees, pull in the wing but now you are facing the beach, quick 90 degree shuffle of the board and then just when it's all in the right place a 2ft peak sends you back to the starting point. . But I loved it and I did manage to go upwind both times. Having spent a few years dropping litres and size of sups I have just bought a used JP 10'6 Allrounder to use with it to cruise and potentially take some waves with. I tried it on my low litre small surf sup for about 5mins and quickly swapped with a friend's whopper which was great. I had no intention to learn to sup foil but if the wing goes well I definitely will have a go.
Ianinca..any feedback on the difference between the 2 wing foils you tried and....why did you go with the gong over the duotone
Chur
Thanks Colas and IanInca.
Ok so there is no twisting of the centre strut of the Duotone for adjustments then. But has the sliding of hands along the centre strut which I can see to be an advantage at times. Especially in surf I think.
I've got the Duotone 5m in my car but not a breath of wind. The Duotone is strutless only has an inflatable leading edge , it does have battens in the canopy. The boom is also adjustable (longer /shorter) so you can adjust the canopy for lighter or stronger winds.
Thanks Piros. I have to get my terminology right. Never wind or kite surfed so dont know all the parts associated with them.
So its the boom that you hang on to.
Looking forward to your first rides. The winds are blowing hard enough here on the south coast NSW Australia. More than not.
Cant wait till I get one.
thats my delema with sup in general, I see these guys ripping and then I try to do it as weekend warrior and get kook slam in my face with a
Ah, a warning on the durability of wings by Patrice:
- they are nowhere as tough as windsurfing sails: the cloth is 3 times lighter, with no reinforcement grid in it: they will explode easily if caught in waves, just like a light kite sail. Kiters know this, but if your only experience with sails is windsurfing, beware! Reinforcing them would make them too heavy for the intended no-harness casual use.
- they are also sensitive to chafing on ground or sand (like kites)
- they may be less durable than kite sails as the leading edge strut does not have the support of the lines to mitigate the stress of the wind, that may make for a reduced lifespan compared to a kite wing
- the foil can act as a big knife if water or wind is pushing the sail on it. And windsails being so light, they can easily be swept away by the wind on the beach.
Patrice kid managed to explode 2 wingsails this weekend (one while falling in a small breaking wave, one with the wind catching the wingsail on the beach and landing it on the foil)
I guess this is less a problem in OZ, but it will be in France, where a lot of people have only Windsurfing experience (the windsurf craze was huge in France). I guess Aussies are more probably used to kite sails than windsurfing sails.
Thanks Colas. Something we will have to be aware of. So does that mean you have to replace or patch the bladder? And patch the ripped material of the wing? Or does it mean buying another wing?
I think common sense says patch if minor & repair by sail maker if it rips.
Seajuice i am sure they are all built similar. Key is too not drag them on the ground and they be fine. Wash with fresh water too.
Never washed a kite in my life . Cabrhina have a new super tough rip resistant material for their kites and Foil wings 2020 .