I'm considering the purchase of the new Levitator V2, and I'm just wondering if anyone here has any experience with it. I'm looking for a light wind machine to sail on the river where I live, so it's all flat water sailing: no waves.

Typical winds here are light: 6-12 knots. I weigh about 75 kg, and currently have been sailing a Starboard FoilX 145 with Slingshot Hoverglide foils (76 and 99), but I find the FoilX to be somewhat "back footed" with the Hoverglide foils and difficult to balance, even with a jack plate moving the foil forward.

Any advice is appreciated as always.

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
I'm considering the purchase of the new Levitator V2, and I'm just wondering if anyone here has any experience with it. I'm looking for a light wind machine to sail on the river where I live, so it's all flat water sailing: no waves.

Typical winds here are light: 6-12 knots. I weigh about 75 kg, and currently have been sailing a Starboard FoilX 145 with Slingshot Hoverglide foils (76 and 99), but I find the FoilX to be somewhat "back footed" with the Hoverglide foils and difficult to balance, even with a jack plate moving the foil forward.

Any advice is appreciated as always.

Have you put the switchfuse to position C as well? I've got I think only one more position left to put the plate further forward and straps centered, and it feels pretty balanced on the phantasm setup. Pic below is with slingshot 76 in B. It is hard to see but the wear marks do seem to show the mast position would place it further back than the phantasm.

Select to expand quote

aeroegnr said..

Foulweatherjack said..
I'm considering the purchase of the new Levitator V2, and I'm just wondering if anyone here has any experience with it. I'm looking for a light wind machine to sail on the river where I live, so it's all flat water sailing: no waves.

Typical winds here are light: 6-12 knots. I weigh about 75 kg, and currently have been sailing a Starboard FoilX 145 with Slingshot Hoverglide foils (76 and 99), but I find the FoilX to be somewhat "back footed" with the Hoverglide foils and difficult to balance, even with a jack plate moving the foil forward.

Any advice is appreciated as always.

Have you put the switchfuse to position C as well? I've got I think only one more position left to put the plate further forward and straps centered, and it feels pretty balanced on the phantasm setup. Pic below is with slingshot 76 in B. It is hard to see but the wear marks do seem to show the mast position would place it further back than the phantasm.

Hi Aero,

Yes, I've got the i99 on the fuse in "position C" with the jackplate all the way forward. Although the balance is better, I'm thinking about trading my FoilX 145 for the Levitator to have greater flexibility with the track for mounting the foil mast and (hopefully) better light air performance (this may be wishful thinking on my part).

As always, I appreciate your sharing your expertise.

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..

aeroegnr said..

Foulweatherjack said..
I'm considering the purchase of the new Levitator V2, and I'm just wondering if anyone here has any experience with it. I'm looking for a light wind machine to sail on the river where I live, so it's all flat water sailing: no waves.

Typical winds here are light: 6-12 knots. I weigh about 75 kg, and currently have been sailing a Starboard FoilX 145 with Slingshot Hoverglide foils (76 and 99), but I find the FoilX to be somewhat "back footed" with the Hoverglide foils and difficult to balance, even with a jack plate moving the foil forward.

Any advice is appreciated as always.

Have you put the switchfuse to position C as well? I've got I think only one more position left to put the plate further forward and straps centered, and it feels pretty balanced on the phantasm setup. Pic below is with slingshot 76 in B. It is hard to see but the wear marks do seem to show the mast position would place it further back than the phantasm.

Hi Aero,

Yes, I've got the i99 on the fuse in "position C" with the jackplate all the way forward. Although the balance is better, I'm thinking about trading my FoilX 145 for the Levitator to have greater flexibility with the track for mounting the foil mast and (hopefully) better light air performance (this may be wishful thinking on my part).

As always, I appreciate your sharing your expertise.

Ahh that sucks. Nico was here and showed me the newer FoilX's that have track boxes and no tuttle, which is really the design they should've had as a freeride foilboard. I almost rode it but the wind died that day so I didn't get a chance. But it's also much more expensive than what I got the older model for

I haven't tried the v2 but I have the v1 160 levitator and use it with 8.2 flyer and i84 wing.I can get going in about 8 knotts I weigh 100 kg. I think with a 99 wing and lighter rider you would be very good in the light wind

Upgrade your foil first.

Select to expand quote

Grantmac said..
Upgrade your foil first.

Any suggestions? I see that Slingshot has a new line of Phantasm foils.

Ptm 926 and pfi 730 are what I am getting next

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..

Grantmac said..
Upgrade your foil first.

Any suggestions? I see that Slingshot has a new line of Phantasm foils.

Depends on how you want to ride.
Fast freeride, slower carvy stuff etc.

The new Slingshot stuff is definitely a good freeride option.
So are a bunch of other ones like Simmer, SAB, etc.

The Levitator V2 with the i99 under it in C position will foil up without pumping once the board speed reaches a fast walking pace. You get in the front strap, bear off a little, pump the back foot maybe a couple of times and you're gone - or sort of gone because it'll stay foiling at no more than a fast jog - say 7kt boardspeed. The limitation is that the top speed is also really low (maybe 17ish), it'll be a beast at your weight in anything over about 12kt windspeed, so the window of happiness is pretty small, and that wing is cumbersome to jibe. The board will balance well over the i76 too, in B position, and will have a higher top speed, but still far below what you might achieve on the FoilX with a good Starboard foil underneath.

If the wind is mostly 6-10 where you are, it's be hard to do better than the SS (or Phantasm) stuff. If you're more ambitious and the typical wind is more like 12, sell the SS stuff, keep the FoilX and buy a big SB foil.

I see the Levitator V2 is on sale now, so I'm tempted to pull the trigger on it. Anyone else have any experience with the Levitator V2 in light winds?

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
I see the Levitator V2 is on sale now, so I'm tempted to pull the trigger on it. Anyone else have any experience with the Levitator V2 in light winds?

I had the 150L v1 and its a great lightwind board. I prob would spend the extra 350 and get the bottom handle V2. Looks like the V2 160 is shorter than the V1 160 which is probably a good thing.

However, if you are under 90Kg you probably do not need so much volume ever for free ride foiling, so you may be better off looking for wizard 130 for a more versatile lightwind board. If you are leaning towards freerace foiling with big sails and small wings I think you need a board with strap inserts more outboard than the levitator.

Thanks, Door: as always I appreciate the advice. I spoke to Cal and Britt at NB Windsurfing and I've ordered a Wizard 130 V4: can't wait for it to arrive! I like the idea that it's wider than my FoilX 145 and I'm hoping that the mast track for the foil will allow me to achieve better balance which has thus far eluded me on the FoilX.

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
Thanks, Door: as always I appreciate the advice. I spoke to Cal and Britt at NB Windsurfing and I've ordered a Wizard 130 V4: can't wait for it to arrive! I like the idea that it's wider than my FoilX 145 and I'm hoping that the mast track for the foil will allow me to achieve better balance which has thus far eluded me on the FoilX.

What are the upgrades on the V4 vs V3? V3 is on sale; are there that many features that would make you spend 1k more? Thinking on the same lines like you.

Foot strap placement?

There are construction changes between v3 and v4.

Select to expand quote

ZeroVix said..

Foulweatherjack said..
Thanks, Door: as always I appreciate the advice. I spoke to Cal and Britt at NB Windsurfing and I've ordered a Wizard 130 V4: can't wait for it to arrive! I like the idea that it's wider than my FoilX 145 and I'm hoping that the mast track for the foil will allow me to achieve better balance which has thus far eluded me on the FoilX.

What are the upgrades on the V4 vs V3? V3 is on sale; are there that many features that would make you spend 1k more? Thinking on the same lines like you.

Foot strap placement?

The V4 is lighter and has a carry handle on the bottom of the board. I believe it also has a center rear foot strap option.

Select to expand quote

ZeroVix said..

Foulweatherjack said..
Thanks, Door: as always I appreciate the advice. I spoke to Cal and Britt at NB Windsurfing and I've ordered a Wizard 130 V4: can't wait for it to arrive! I like the idea that it's wider than my FoilX 145 and I'm hoping that the mast track for the foil will allow me to achieve better balance which has thus far eluded me on the FoilX.

What are the upgrades on the V4 vs V3? V3 is on sale; are there that many features that would make you spend 1k more? Thinking on the same lines like you.

Foot strap placement?

The V4 is lighter and has a carry handle on the bottom of the board. I believe it also has a center rear foot strap option.

V4 also has longer foil tracks in case you want to use a 710 fuselage.

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
Thanks, Door: as always I appreciate the advice. I spoke to Cal and Britt at NB Windsurfing and I've ordered a Wizard 130 V4: can't wait for it to arrive! I like the idea that it's wider than my FoilX 145 and I'm hoping that the mast track for the foil will allow me to achieve better balance which has thus far eluded me on the FoilX.

Can't go wrong with a wizard. IMO

Thanks. I know the major differences, but just questioning if it's really worth 1000 USD difference. Sure the handle is nice, 2.5 pounds lighter and rear center foot strap. I find the extended track valuable.
Are the foot straps more/better for free race? It looks like they are further outwards. Anyone taken both for a ride?

I'm still waiting for the board to arrive: it should be here in a few days. Is it worth it? Great question. Probably not, but I'm turning 61 next week and I don't know how many years I'll still be able to do this, so I figure I'll get the best gear I can afford.

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
I'm still waiting for the board to arrive: it should be here in a few days. Is it worth it? Great question. Probably not, but I'm turning 61 next week and I don't know how many years I'll still be able to do this, so I figure I'll get the best gear I can afford.

Judging from a friend I foiled with today, at least another dozen or more.

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
I'm still waiting for the board to arrive: it should be here in a few days. Is it worth it? Great question. Probably not, but I'm turning 61 next week and I don't know how many years I'll still be able to do this, so I figure I'll get the best gear I can afford.

Amen! Keep us posted. Nice looking board and great upgrades.

Looks like they made the 160 V2 the same length as the 150 Levitator, except it's 2.5" wider. Love the bottom handle too! I still love my Levitator 150. Would like to see them do some upgrades to it as well.
Looking forward to hear how you like the new 160 V2.

Just had my first session on the Levitator 160 v2. I'm retiring a 2018 Wizard 150. I couldn't believe that changing boards could give that much better results. In particular the levitator V2 gets on a plane and lifts off the water much easier. It was well worth the $995 price tag that currently on the board. Anyone else have this experience?

Select to expand quote

lakeeffect said..
Just had my first session on the Levitator 160 v2. I'm retiring a 2018 Wizard 150. I couldn't believe that changing boards could give that much better results. In particular the levitator V2 gets on a plane and lifts off the water much easier. It was well worth the $995 price tag that currently on the board. Anyone else have this experience?

Never rode the wiz 150 but my levitator 150 got going real early. Is the v2 levi thicker than your wiz 150?

Select to expand quote

Foulweatherjack said..
I'm turning 61 next week and I don't know how many years I'll still be able to do this, so I figure I'll get the best gear I can afford.

Ya, me too in June. Same mentality. I payed a premium for the wide body 103W carbon mast. So totally worth it (as far as I know ). I've only have the HG 92 aluminum mast for comparison, but wow, what a difference in stability. I love foiling so much, haven't touched the wave slapper in 2 years. Tiny sails in big winds is such crazy fun. Plus the loading on all the joints is so much less. I finned on a 7.5 sail which is now 3.7 for foiling.

No experience here with the new Levitator. But I love my Levitator 150 I bought 2 years ago. No intentions of selling it, even with my one off Reef Warrior coming this weekend.