Picked up the new HA1440 from Briskites here in Brisbane luckily they had stock. I tossed up between the HA1240 and the 1440 and decided on the bigger wing as it was a light wind option for me. My regular ride is the Mach 1 900.
I'm 80kgs riding a 74ltr x 5'3x22 board, I really don't like big boards as a light wind option and wanted to stay with my regular ride.
I rode the old S27 1400 once, and only once, definitely not the wing for me, slow and I found difficult to ride and gybe. How different is the new 1440, such a nice front wing to ride.
I paired the HA1440 with the 85cm 100% carbon mast and the 220 stab. Yes the table recommends the 280 but I found the 1440 works great with the 220. I was using a 5mtr wing, my largest wing.
The wind was 10-12 knots but built to 12-14 knots during the session. No drama's getting going at 10knots, this wing is very low drag but also a low stall speed so gets flying with a few pumps. Foot pumps are extremely effective and you can almost jump the wing into flight.
Back and forth foiling you know you have a big span wing underneath you, not uncomfortable but it is happiest at 12-14 knots, pushing up over 16knots is possible if you're keen. Foot pressure remains the same throughout the range.
Where this wing shines is its glide, I pulled off more heel side or toeside tacks in a session than ever before. Even when you muff one it just keeps gliding, not stalling like my Mach 1 900. It's going to be so good for learning 360's and other transitions.
The huge glide also offers great swell riding, just pick up one, glide and pump downwind easily crossing fuller sections with ease. Big wings usually become a handful in higher wind but I think this one might be perfect for mini downwinds, then crank upwind for another go.
I'm now a convert to using smaller boards and with larger foil wings in the light stuff. I know the trend is big downwind boards for the light stuff but how much lighter than 10 knots do you want to go?