86kg, gybe, up to head high waves and choppy seas, 3m-6m wings, Duotone HA Glide foils 905, 1085, 1305. I use Fanatic 85l (OK in all sea states) and 75l (needs power in wing to stink bug start without losing balance and tiring to wobble home), but both are breaking and out of warranty.
I used to have an Armstrong 88l and think an 80l version of that would be OK, but hear the new ones are less stable waiting for a gust to stink bug start. So any experience/advice?

I like the dims on the 80 more than 90 but don't have real works experience on the new ones. The old ones were decent for sizing down.

I rode the 75 a lot last year and moved to the 70. I am 84 kg. Its been tough in stronger winds with 1-1.5m swell first learning the stink bug. I now have a reliable stink bug start and and a not so reliable kneeling start. You should be fine on the 80 but will find it less stable than the 88. Great board once up. You really notice the reduced width on turns since the rails don't touch.

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patronus said..
86kg, gybe, up to head high waves and choppy seas, 3m-6m wings, Duotone HA Glide foils 905, 1085, 1305. I use Fanatic 85l (OK in all sea states) and 75l (needs power in wing to stink bug start without losing balance and tiring to wobble home), but both are breaking and out of warranty.
I used to have an Armstrong 88l and think an 80l version of that would be OK, but hear the new ones are less stable waiting for a gust to stink bug start. So any experience/advice?

I was in your exact same situation.
read here: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Wing-Foiling/Wind-Wings/Armstrong-Wing-FG-boards-2

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Foilnut said..
I rode the 75 a lot last year and moved to the 70. I am 84 kg. Its been tough in stronger winds with 1-1.5m swell first learning the stink bug. I now have a reliable stink bug start and and a not so reliable kneeling start. You should be fine on the 80 but will find it less stable than the 88. Great board once up. You really notice the reduced width on turns since the rails don't touch.

I tried stinkbug with the FG 80L few times but it was hard. Do you have any tips on how to do it?

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patronus said..
86kg, gybe, up to head high waves and choppy seas, 3m-6m wings, Duotone HA Glide foils 905, 1085, 1305. I use Fanatic 85l (OK in all sea states) and 75l (needs power in wing to stink bug start without losing balance and tiring to wobble home), but both are breaking and out of warranty.
I used to have an Armstrong 88l and think an 80l version of that would be OK, but hear the new ones are less stable waiting for a gust to stink bug start. So any experience/advice?

You will be fine on the 80L one session and you will have it dialed in. The Stink bud is all i use on any size board i've used as i'm not sure why anyone would want to be balancing on your knees trying to get a wing in position in heavy seas.

Infact it will be a lot easier on the 80L as you will partially sink some of the board - won't be as corky.

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eppo said..

patronus said..
86kg, gybe, up to head high waves and choppy seas, 3m-6m wings, Duotone HA Glide foils 905, 1085, 1305. I use Fanatic 85l (OK in all sea states) and 75l (needs power in wing to stink bug start without losing balance and tiring to wobble home), but both are breaking and out of warranty.
I used to have an Armstrong 88l and think an 80l version of that would be OK, but hear the new ones are less stable waiting for a gust to stink bug start. So any experience/advice?

You will be fine on the 80L one session and you will have it dialed in. The Stink bud is all i use on any size board i've used as i'm not sure why anyone would want to be balancing on your knees trying to get a wing in position in heavy seas.

Infact it will be a lot easier on the 80L as you will partially sink some of the board - won't be as corky.

Any comments on light winds with 6m wobbling home when wind's dropped. My 75l Fanatic is very tiring.

Can only speak from my 60L (at 75kg) and when using my prone board. gonna be harder for sure, with the volume difference and also the smaller width. But you are closer in body weight / volume. you can't have your cake and eat it as well as they say. Always trade offs. Have had my fair share of paddle ins and in the end i eventually started using my body weight in volume boards for that reason.

How often does this occur for you?

Can only speak from my 60L (at 75kg) and when using my prone board. gonna be harder for sure, with the volume difference and also the smaller width. But you are closer in body weight / volume. you can't have your cake and eat it as well as they say. Always trade offs. Have had my fair share of paddle ins and in the end i eventually started using my body weight in volume boards for that reason.

How often does this occur for you?

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eppo said..
Can only speak from my 60L (at 75kg) and when using my prone board. gonna be harder for sure, with the volume difference and also the smaller width. But you are closer in body weight / volume. you can't have your cake and eat it as well as they say. Always trade offs. Have had my fair share of paddle ins and in the end i eventually started using my body weight in volume boards for that reason.

How often does this occur for you?

This is helping to clarify what I need to know, which is how much more (un)stable is 80l FG than 75l Fanatic TE on knees waiting for a gust?
Worries with 80l are:
1. With big 6m wing if wind drops I can use big wing to pull myself onto feet then it's a fight to keep balance on small board to wobble home. 75l Fanatic is veryhardwork, 80l FG should be easier?
2. On 3m, 4m, 5m I can stink bug a Fanatic 75l (24 wide) if as soon as I lift wing I get power in it, so should be OK on 80l FG. However, if there is a lull with 75l and I lift wing I cannot keep balance even just on knees in choppy sea, I could easily on 88l WingSUP and 87l custom board (23" wide straight sides).

When the wind drops below 6kt and you can't foil. If your board is not +10 + 15L or above, standing and balancing on it in light wind is always tiring.

I recommend saddle on the board, bring the wing up then lift your legs out of the water and extend your leg on the board in front of you. and use the wing to get back. You still need to balance on your butt and can be tiring and uncomfortable but it is less tiring compared to standing or kneeling but you can't go upwind in this position just crosswind to downwind.

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patronus said..

eppo said..
Can only speak from my 60L (at 75kg) and when using my prone board. gonna be harder for sure, with the volume difference and also the smaller width. But you are closer in body weight / volume. you can't have your cake and eat it as well as they say. Always trade offs. Have had my fair share of paddle ins and in the end i eventually started using my body weight in volume boards for that reason.

How often does this occur for you?

This is helping to clarify what I need to know, which is how much more (un)stable is 80l FG than 75l Fanatic TE on knees waiting for a gust?
Worries with 80l are:
1. With big 6m wing if wind drops I can use big wing to pull myself onto feet then it's a fight to keep balance on small board to wobble home. 75l Fanatic is veryhardwork, 80l FG should be easier?
2. On 3m, 4m, 5m I can stink bug a Fanatic 75l (24 wide) if as soon as I lift wing I get power in it, so should be OK on 80l FG. However, if there is a lull with 75l and I lift wing I cannot keep balance even just on knees in choppy sea, I could easily on 88l WingSUP and 87l custom board (23" wide straight sides).

All true but how often do you get caught out like that? I mean the extra 10L and some extra width will always be welcome in shifty winds. And will it make that much difference performance wise? Probably not at your stage. maybe the 90L is the go. It's all about water time and having fun for us mere mortals anyhow.

Thanks for the advice guys, went for90l

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patronus said..

eppo said..

patronus said..
86kg, gybe, up to head high waves and choppy seas, 3m-6m wings, Duotone HA Glide foils 905, 1085, 1305. I use Fanatic 85l (OK in all sea states) and 75l (needs power in wing to stink bug start without losing balance and tiring to wobble home), but both are breaking and out of warranty.
I used to have an Armstrong 88l and think an 80l version of that would be OK, but hear the new ones are less stable waiting for a gust to stink bug start. So any experience/advice?

You will be fine on the 80L one session and you will have it dialed in. The Stink bud is all i use on any size board i've used as i'm not sure why anyone would want to be balancing on your knees trying to get a wing in position in heavy seas.

Infact it will be a lot easier on the 80L as you will partially sink some of the board - won't be as corky.

Any comments on light winds with 6m wobbling home when wind's dropped. My 75l Fanatic is very tiring.

I'm riding the new narrower armstrong 58L wing board at 68-73kg (depending on wetsuit). Riding a smaller board is a blast for carving deeper turns and jumping. But, it comes at a price which could cost you dearly (getting stranded) if you are not aware of the limitations.

I use a rodeo-type start: from straddling, to kneeling, to standing. Generally, I try to:

1. Make sure I have enough wind by paying attn. to the forecast and following the local experts,
2. If I'm in doubt, I ride close to shore
3. I try, at all costs, not to wobble - that's where you expend useless energy,
4. I sit with my wing down rather than up and wait for gusts,
5. If the wind has really died, I lie down and start paddling - at least the narrow design helps with that.

[Addendum]
I see that you've gone with the 90L. I agree with eppo, it's about time on the water. Choosing a slightly bigger board that can get you through lighter-wind days is a smart choice. Having a smaller board that you use strictly for big wind days might be an option for you too.

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BoardMaverick said..

patronus said..

eppo said..

patronus said..
86kg, gybe, up to head high waves and choppy seas, 3m-6m wings, Duotone HA Glide foils 905, 1085, 1305. I use Fanatic 85l (OK in all sea states) and 75l (needs power in wing to stink bug start without losing balance and tiring to wobble home), but both are breaking and out of warranty.
I used to have an Armstrong 88l and think an 80l version of that would be OK, but hear the new ones are less stable waiting for a gust to stink bug start. So any experience/advice?

You will be fine on the 80L one session and you will have it dialed in. The Stink bud is all i use on any size board i've used as i'm not sure why anyone would want to be balancing on your knees trying to get a wing in position in heavy seas.

Infact it will be a lot easier on the 80L as you will partially sink some of the board - won't be as corky.

Any comments on light winds with 6m wobbling home when wind's dropped. My 75l Fanatic is very tiring.

I'm riding the new narrower armstrong 58L wing board at 68-73kg (depending on wetsuit). Riding a smaller board is a blast for carving deeper turns and jumping. But, it comes at a price which could cost you dearly (getting stranded) if you are not aware of the limitations.

I use a rodeo-type start: from straddling, to kneeling, to standing. Generally, I try to:

1. Make sure I have enough wind by paying attn. to the forecast and following the local experts,
2. If I'm in doubt, I ride close to shore
3. I try, at all costs, not to wobble - that's where you expend useless energy,
4. I sit with my wing down rather than up and wait for gusts,
5. If the wind has really died, I lie down and start paddling - at least the narrow design helps with that.

[Addendum]
I see that you've gone with the 90L. I agree with eppo, it's about time on the water. Choosing a slightly bigger board that can get you through lighter-wind days is a smart choice. Having a smaller board that you use strictly for big wind days might be an option for you too.

Thanks for good advice. I've got a 75l Fanatic I'lI keep unless the 90l FG surprises me in more hectic conditions. Being a bit stiff can't rodeo until even narrower which makes lulls extra tiring unless on 90l.