Anyone tested any prototype or first 2026 production units ?

Funny.. I just searched for 2026 Unit, nothing came up. Then jumped on Seabreeze to see that someone else is also curious.

AWSI is only weeks away, they are probably going to release it then.

I've seen it... that's all I can say haha. there's a funny, very colorful SLS version out there on the internet somewhere which is not what is coming... the guy who showed it to me was very disappointed that this super colorful version wasn't the 2026 production version.

There's a few photos on the German forum oaseforum.de/showthread.php?t=187719&page=3

Screenshots from the latest German "Wingsurfer" magazine.
The New Skybrid SLS and also the New Skybrid Dlab (hollow construction board) is featured

White ist "concept blue", Orange ist "SLS" and the green one is standard Dacron.
There are jokes running in the german forum that "Duotone" should change their name to "Monotone"
From "Insiders" over there are some informations as that the span should be reduced and the Profile flattened out a bit. And of course better lowend, more highend and so on.....

From what I can see:

-The overall shape has significantly more panels than last year.
-4 battens instead of 2.
- The central section of the wing might have reduced camber (flatter profile?) AND slightly less dihedral ? ... I'm not entirely sure.

Hollow dlab skybrid? Nice but will be very expensive probably. Will there be 3 builds then? Heavy normal, sls and dlab? Any insight in if there will be changes to the shapes?

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itsmark1974 said..
Hollow dlab skybrid? Nice but will be very expensive probably. Will there be 3 builds then? Heavy normal, sls and dlab? Any insight in if there will be changes to the shapes?

Yes, new shape of all sizes.
For the dlab version you should start negotiating with your Bank now ??

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FranP said..
From what I can see:

-The overall shape has significantly more panels than last year.
-4 battens instead of 2.
- The central section of the wing might have reduced camber (flatter profile?) AND slightly less dihedral ? ... I'm not entirely sure.

Today I tested the 2026 Unit SLS 4.5m2 with boom in 18-25 knots, and here's my first feedback:

Normally ride the 2025 Unit SLS 6.0 and the regular Unit 4.5m2 - both are great wings.

PROs;

- Noticeably faster (stiffer frame, flatter profile/less dihedral, extra battens)
- Improved upwind performance (stiffer, flatter, more battens)
- No flapping at all when overpowered or pointing upwind (stiffer, flatter, more battens)
- Better in waves - smoother drifting and super stable float (less dihedral, improved handle design)

CONs

- Less low-end grunt (due to flatter canopy curvature), although it pumps great due to it's stiffness.
- Maybe less stable in gusty strong wing (due to less diheadral) ? Not 100% sure yet.

PS: I'm ordering a 2026 Unit SLS 5m2 + boom

In bella Italia the first ones have landed...

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FranP said..

CONs

- Less low-end grunt (due to flatter canopy curvature), although it pumps great due to it's stiffness.

This is the visual, but they added more camber depth further from center. So what we see "at center" might not reduce low end at all when all is considered.

Have not ridden one yet, only read the design brief on it.

All those design details are known for many years now. Why should it make a better wing in 26? Is there any changes to the wingspan?

5'2 18" (45 Liter)
5'5 20" (60 Liter)
5'7 20.5" (70 Liter)
5'9 21" (80 Liter)
5'11 21.5" (90 Liter)
6'1 22" (100 Liter)
6'4 23" (115 Liter)
6'7 24" (130 Liter)

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FranP said..

FranP said..
From what I can see:

-The overall shape has significantly more panels than last year.
-4 battens instead of 2.
- The central section of the wing might have reduced camber (flatter profile?) AND slightly less dihedral ? ... I'm not entirely sure.

Today I tested the 2026 Unit SLS 4.5m2 with boom in 18-25 knots, and here's my first feedback:

Normally ride the 2025 Unit SLS 6.0 and the regular Unit 4.5m2 - both are great wings.

PROs;

- Noticeably faster (stiffer frame, flatter profile/less dihedral, extra battens)
- Improved upwind performance (stiffer, flatter, more battens)
- No flapping at all when overpowered or pointing upwind (stiffer, flatter, more battens)
- Better in waves - smoother drifting and super stable float (less dihedral, improved handle design)

CONs

- Less low-end grunt (due to flatter canopy curvature), although it pumps great due to it's stiffness.
- Maybe less stable in gusty strong wing (due to less diheadral) ? Not 100% sure yet.

PS: I'm ordering a 2026 Unit SLS 5m2 + boom

Ken & the team are bringing several innovations into the wing.

Innovations? What no Infill?

I received a 6.5 Dlab Unit 2026 today and had a short session in about 10kn breeze. It felt light, nicely balanced and fast.

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Okkervile said..
Innovations? What no Infill?

:-) bit simplistic summary of 12months of hard work by one of the most experienced designers in watersports, with over 150 prototypes and a full time test team?...innovation is always a big word, here Ken explains the IMPROVEMENTS on the Unit and how much fun it was/is to be able to make such improvements in a relatively new sport - so it's up to everyone to judge if these changes/improvements are innovations, or incremental performance increases, or a mix of both. So far the feedback on the 26 wings is excellent, so as Ken mentions, the amount of work and money invested is well worth it. Personally loving the new wings, as Warick says, more stable, better for tacking and waves, quite a bit faster and great hang time for jumping. Looking forward to hearing more from customers here and elswhere, so far only positives.

Damn that new Dlab looks so preeeeeetty!

Keen to hear first tests and if it's worth the spend over a close out 25 deal.

I really enjoyed the Ken video.

Better upwind, top end, and speed are always on my wish list. Love that. I knew the flagging would improve due to tricks learned in developing the Float last year. Excited for that.

Learning more about of the hidden differences between the Original, SLS, and D/Lab was really nice to know. Leading edge diameter differences in each model. Canopy tuning differences with each model. Stiffness differences and fabric stiffness. Really helpful in understanding why you'd want to choose between all of them. Brilliant! It's not marketing BS, the difference is real!

I am curious about the sales percentages of the regular vs the SLS vs Dlab. They will probably not disclose that. I had the original ones this year. Perfectly happy with them. Weight difference is minimal. Didn't even try to test the SLS or dlab as my finances don't allow such spendings. but also the shop I bought said the originals would be great for my riding. I don't care about speed or racing or freestyle extreme. Do care about a bit of flexibility due to poor shoulders after surgery. So a bit of flex is good for me. and luffing whilst wave riding.stability. and I always think a bit like; what if I buy a Dlab this year and the shape for next year becomes a lot better. Then an original from this year will be better then a Dlab from last year, so why spend a fortune now as it's old next year and an original is better. if you can still follow my reasoning. But hey if you have the money or want the ultimate performance I totally understand

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itsmark1974 said..
I am curious about the sales percentages of the regular vs the SLS vs Dlab. They will probably not disclose that. I had the original ones this year. Perfectly happy with them. Weight difference is minimal. Didn't even try to test the SLS or dlab as my finances don't allow such spendings. but also the shop I bought said the originals would be great for my riding. I don't care about speed or racing or freestyle extreme. Do care about a bit of flexibility due to poor shoulders after surgery. So a bit of flex is good for me. and luffing whilst wave riding.stability. and I always think a bit like; what if I buy a Dlab this year and the shape for next year becomes a lot better. Then an original from this year will be better then a Dlab from last year, so why spend a fortune now as it's old next year and an original is better. if you can still follow my reasoning. But hey if you have the money or want the ultimate performance I totally understand

The very first DLAB Units were very light. 2025 was quite a bit heavier. 2026 is light again.

Sailed again yesterday, back-to-back testing the Unit 4.5 m2 - comparing the 2025 (9 months of use)cwith the new 2026 in overpowered conditions.

The 2026 clearly stands out:
- Excellent stability, handling 25Knt gusts
- Upwind performance
- Silent riding (no flapping) noticeably stiffer frame and more balanced handling
....Overall, a far better wing.

The 2025 is bagged out after 8 months of use in overpowered condition- gruntier and probably easier to pump, but structurally weaker. It also flaps too much when pushed at high upwind angles.

The 2026 Unit is an amazing upgrade, and hopefully it will retain its stiffness and performance over time

Bring back the Slick.

Get off my lawn.

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itsmark1974 said..
I had the original ones this year. Perfectly happy with them. Weight difference is minimal. Didn't even try to test the SLS or dlab as my finances don't allow such spendings.

Your budget will thank you for not trying the SLS and DLAB versions!! (I demo'd them and then somewhat justified the extra lol..)

Has anyone compared the 26 unit to a float yet? It seemed that last year was a no brainer if your focus was waves to go float due to how the unit may have misbehaved a little when flagged out. I went the float route then but my focus is 60/40 waves/flat water so looking forward to hearing more now. I'd happily sacrifice a little loft performance for better upwind/speed but not that much.

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HoverTuna said..
Has anyone compared the 26 unit to a float yet? It seemed that last year was a no brainer if your focus was waves to go float due to how the unit may have misbehaved a little when flagged out. I went the float route then but my focus is 60/40 waves/flat water so looking forward to hearing more now. I'd happily sacrifice a little loft performance for better upwind/speed but not that much.

The 2026 Unit performs better in waves compared to the 2025

-Reduced dihedral compared to the 25, giving improved float and stability.

-Larger, rigid handle design (inspired by the Float) for better control

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FranP said..

HoverTuna said..
Has anyone compared the 26 unit to a float yet? It seemed that last year was a no brainer if your focus was waves to go float due to how the unit may have misbehaved a little when flagged out. I went the float route then but my focus is 60/40 waves/flat water so looking forward to hearing more now. I'd happily sacrifice a little loft performance for better upwind/speed but not that much.

The 2026 Unit performs better in waves compared to the 2025

-Reduced dihedral compared to the 25, giving improved float and stability.

-Larger, rigid handle design (inspired by the Float) for better control

Any reason to buy the Float then? (I also wonder how many of the 2025+ Units have been sold with handles vs boom).

Every year it's always "flags better than last year's unit" rather than "flags really well"

Anymore feedback on the 2026 unit vs float?

Also, do Units come out big like the Ozone wings do you know? I'm wondering a 5.5 rather than 6m sls as I'm only 175cm tall, then moving to the dacron in 4.5 and 3.5....or go 6,5,4

If you want for waves get the float 100%. 5.5 float also has power of a 6 unit and has shorter wingspan
@FranP are you sure 26 unit has less dihedral as your 2 pics clearly show the 26 has more. I've not measured but tested 4m unit & 4m Float back to back on waves and Float was way way more stable of flag handle. Unit much easier to tack and rotate due to more dihedral but I did not have a 25 to compare to

To me it looks like 2026 has more dehidral. Anyway when I tried the 2026 ist was a little bit less grunty or power full. That's imo due to the flater profile. It is faster and goes better upwind then 2025 modell.
However the Float flags way better and has better sheet and go when powering back up while DW