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rgmacca said..
Thanks for advice guys, appreciate it. think I'm leaning towards 2 wings, the 5.2 and 3.5 Score. could always add bigger next summer or give up on the marginal days. cheers.
Marginal days ... in the honeymoon period, you want to chase anything! But beyond that, for flat water, I tend to agree with the commenters that say if wind is less than 12kt, maybe ride a bike or something else, wait for some decent wind. As there's no wind swell to play in anyway when wind is that light.
The exception is in actual surf. When it's blowing 10-14kt and there's perfect rideable waves to be had ... that pushes the desire for an effective light wind option! I have had a couple pretty epic sessions this early surf season where the wind was barely enough to get on foil....you slog until wave comes, then pump hard as it crests behind you, just enough forward momentum that it pushes you up on foil, immediately luff the wave and surf foil it. My 5m aluula was able to keep up with buddy's 6m fone, though he had a slight upwind advantage.
At the high end, I was able to make my ozone 4m work in 45kt wind, as you can spill off wind effectively. Borrowing my friend's 3m was SO much more comformtable. I have been riding a duotone unit 4m lately -- I suspect from high 30s up it would be uncontrollable, very strong and powerful wing, I doubt I could feather it same way as my ozone. So, for your 3.5m...seems these wings either have a great low end or great high end, you don't get both.