The New axis art pro line is out for 2 weeks ish. I am desperately waiting for wind to try them. I only manage to try the 1121 in very low winds for 45 min. I was impressed about its low end and how manoverable it is. It pumps easy with some wind swell support. I can't say much about its top speed, but it feels fast.
Anybody having some experience?

Dominic hoskyns did a very comprehensive review. I am trying to share the link...didn't manage...

I rode the 999 and 1099 extensively and replaced them with 1051 and 1201. Its a pretty huge upgrade in ride feel. Quite a bit smoother, faster, even more efficient, and both foils turn better than the ones they replaced. Interestingly though, the 1201 has better low end than the 1099 while the 1051 has significantly worse low end than the 999. The 1201 is a pumping machine and I can't imagine it gets much better than this for pumping - its just so efficient. The 1051 is challenging to pump - it is very efficient, but you can't slow down at all or you'll stall. And you can't push down on it too much - you have to have very good technique. That said, the 1051 is VERY fun to ride in waves, it turns great.

Would love to hear how far the ART pro's are from the high end race foils eg. Mikes Lab as the original ARTs were not really speed machines. Getting close or still some way off?

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wingbob said..
Would love to hear how far the ART pro's are from the high end race foils eg. Mikes Lab as the original ARTs were not really speed machines. Getting close or still some way off?

Long way to go

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wingbob said..
Would love to hear how far the ART pro's are from the high end race foils eg. Mikes Lab as the original ARTs were not really speed machines. Getting close or still some way off?

Funny how the ARTs were considered "fast" when they came out and now they've been cannibalized by the ARTPro range. I have been riding the 999 and 799 for quite a while and while I wouldn't call them slow, I find that there's an upper limit to these foils where they still seem somewhat in control. In researching more speed/race oriented foils, it seems that the common things I hear is that the race foils accelerate quicker, are more predictable when running at speed and don't necessarily run into a speed "wall" toward the top end. I assume that with these advantages come disadvantages such as more effort to get on foil, less glide, higher stall speed and perhaps less maneuverability.

For me, not being able to try other foils has kept me on my current setup. While $ is always an issue, I'm not sure the increased top end is worth all of the drawbacks of a more race oriented foil. At least that's what I'm telling myself. haha

I look forward to the day I get to try a ML, AFS or Chubanga.

The usual suspects you see riding ML foils in Youtube videos are typically riding no bigger that 800cm2 front foils and often MUCH smaller. That's why they seem to be going slightly faster than the average foiler. Wanna go fast? A 500cm2 foil requires speed, be it a ML or an ART 699. There is no magic going on there, just reasonably efficient tiny foils.

The new ART Pros with appropriate tail will easily out glide anything coming out of the ML shop but even the 951 is a pretty big foil in the racing world. MLs are much lower aspect foils.

Been borrowing a 1201 after using 1150, 1099 and 899 for a year or 2. I'm winging, supping, learning dw and prone and 75kg. Found the 1201 about halfway between the 1150 and 1099 lift wise. The 1150 turns better downwind, but the 1201 glides better and doesn't top out so quickly. 1150 a better learning wing IMO. Supping, the 1201 needs a constant arc to turn. It's really unforgiving to changes in radius through the turn. It pumps beautifully. I think I'm too light to really appreciate it in these disciplines. It's fantastic as a light wind flat water wing foil. I can get it up in about 12 knots on a 2.5 Mantis. And it's amazing to windward. Tip breach makes a big difference compared to the 1099, which was my go to light wing winging foil. My question is has anyone been prone foiling the 951? I'm looking to upgrade(?) the 899 which I love. I have a Spitfire 900 coming which is way bigger, and I've tried an 840 which was mental on a wave but not that easy to pump. I only tried it twice prone, so maybe there's some technique issues going on there. Anyway anyone tried 951 vs 840/ 780?

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mojoflex said..
My question is has anyone been prone foiling the 951? I'm looking to upgrade(?) the 899 which I love. I have a Spitfire 900 coming which is way bigger, and I've tried an 840 which was mental on a wave but not that easy to pump.

Believe it or not, I think the 1051 is the most similar to the 899 in terms of early lift and turning - but it is noticeably more efficient and faster. I used to ride the 899/999/1099 so I am pretty certain of this comparison although the 1051 is now my smallest ART Pro. I also have the spitfire 900, and it turns more or less like the 1051 but is much less efficient and has much more low end. Nice foil but you probably want something smaller than the 900 if you are used to the 899.

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jondrums said..

mojoflex said..
My question is has anyone been prone foiling the 951? I'm looking to upgrade(?) the 899 which I love. I have a Spitfire 900 coming which is way bigger, and I've tried an 840 which was mental on a wave but not that easy to pump.

Believe it or not, I think the 1051 is the most similar to the 899 in terms of early lift and turning - but it is noticeably more efficient and faster. I used to ride the 899/999/1099 so I am pretty certain of this comparison although the 1051 is now my smallest ART Pro. I also have the spitfire 900, and it turns more or less like the 1051 but is much less efficient and has much more low end. Nice foil but you probably want something smaller than the 900 if you are used to the 899.

Ok good tips thought the artpros must feel a lot smaller for the width. What are you using the 1051 for?

@mojoflex
How did you decide in the end?
I also have the ART899 and was wondering whether its worth upgrading.

I also found the characteristics of the AFS Silk or the Fone Sk8 very interesting, but I guess there is nothing similar from Axis (.yet?)

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nikflewlow said..
@mojoflex
How did you decide in the end?
I also have the ART899 and was wondering whether its worth upgrading.

I also found the characteristics of the AFS Silk or the Fone Sk8 very interesting, but I guess there is nothing similar from Axis (.yet?)

Definitely consider the sk8 if you're mostly carving and want to have fun

Definitely considering it - just want to make sure that there's no way of achieving a similar feeling with a new front wing for my Axis setup.
Dont like the idea of carrying different brands (screws, masts, fuselage, backwings ...). storage space is limited.

I am in an similar position. I got the ART 999 and wanted an more turny surffoil. I owned the HPS 930 and sold it because it's more an winging foil with less glide. It drops fast when in weaker wind. So next what comes in mind it's the spitfire range. But I tested the unifoil progression 170 and I guess it's more like the fone sk8. Both are around AR 8 and its looks like an malange of ART and HPS. It was so loose and skaty but same time got good glide. Small spitfires got less AR. So I guess it's not the same. But I have not tried sk8 or spitfire. And finally to buy an complete Unifoil setup would be hard. So I agree with you. I think I would bite the bullet an buy 960 or 900 spitefire to see how it performs. At least it's possible to just buy an sk8 or progression plane and fly it with adapter on an Axis Mast. But I tried the progression on Alu and I think I can't switch back from carbon mast. It got so much more drag and the well know ventilation problem with higher speed.

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nikflewlow said..
@mojoflex
How did you decide in the end?
I also have the ART899 and was wondering whether its worth upgrading.

I also found the characteristics of the AFS Silk or the Fone Sk8 very interesting, but I guess there is nothing similar from Axis (.yet?)

Ok here's what I found. I got a SF 1030 and 900. The 1030 is better than the 1099 at just about everything. The 900 is better at some things than the 899 but is just different really. It surfs better, but doesn't glide as well. It pumps out of a hole better and in white water, but once at speed the 899 I prefer. To my mind the 1099 has been surpassed but the 899 is still relevant. And I just tried it with a skinny tail which is a whole new can of worms. I just got a 1051. It feels easier to pump than the 899 and at speed it's just unstoppable. The tips breach better than the SF. What it comes down to is the sort of waves I have, and want to ride. My wing spot has fast moving g swell so the 899/ 900 have pros and cons both ways. The 1051 is mental for glide and speed (and turns well) but a bit harder to get going than 1030. Such a wide range that I can compare it to a sf 1030 and 899.

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mojoflex said..

nikflewlow said..
@mojoflex
How did you decide in the end?
I also have the ART899 and was wondering whether its worth upgrading.

I also found the characteristics of the AFS Silk or the Fone Sk8 very interesting, but I guess there is nothing similar from Axis (.yet?)

Ok here's what I found. I got a SF 1030 and 900. The 1030 is better than the 1099 at just about everything. The 900 is better at some things than the 899 but is just different really. It surfs better, but doesn't glide as well. It pumps out of a hole better and in white water, but once at speed the 899 I prefer. To my mind the 1099 has been surpassed but the 899 is still relevant. And I just tried it with a skinny tail which is a whole new can of worms. I just got a 1051. It feels easier to pump than the 899 and at speed it's just unstoppable. The tips breach better than the SF. What it comes down to is the sort of waves I have, and want to ride. My wing spot has fast moving g swell so the 899/ 900 have pros and cons both ways. The 1051 is mental for glide and speed (and turns well) but a bit harder to get going than 1030. Such a wide range that I can compare it to a sf 1030 and 899.

Good rumour from Axis FB page is a new line of front wings are about to be released, a cross between the ART and Spitfire.

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airsail said..
Good rumour from Axis FB page is a new line of front wings are about to be released, a cross between the ART and Spitfire.

Sounds great! That would be the exact frontwing I am looking for :)
Is there any additional info out yet? Pics or a release date?
Don't use FB anymore.

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jondrums said..

mojoflex said..
My question is has anyone been prone foiling the 951? I'm looking to upgrade(?) the 899 which I love. I have a Spitfire 900 coming which is way bigger, and I've tried an 840 which was mental on a wave but not that easy to pump.

Believe it or not, I think the 1051 is the most similar to the 899 in terms of early lift and turning - but it is noticeably more efficient and faster. I used to ride the 899/999/1099 so I am pretty certain of this comparison although the 1051 is now my smallest ART Pro. I also have the spitfire 900, and it turns more or less like the 1051 but is much less efficient and has much more low end. Nice foil but you probably want something smaller than the 900 if you are used to the 899.

When you say that the ART Pro 1051 is more similar to the ART 899, how is the low end? I ride the 899 often, but it's a workout. I would love something that fast, BUT with ever so slightly better low-end and more predictability. The 899 is fast and fun, but you have to be paying attention all the time. You have to keep your speed up... don't cross someone else's wake and be deliberate and precise in your moves, specially when carving aggressively. I find that at my weight of 83kg, it punishes mistakes much more so than the 999. I ride it really aggressive, but then after about an hour and a half I have to take a break and switch to the 999 to make things more mellow.

Essentially, I'd like something that's right in between the 899 and 999, or slightly above those.

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FoilWays said..

jondrums said..

mojoflex said..
My question is has anyone been prone foiling the 951? I'm looking to upgrade(?) the 899 which I love. I have a Spitfire 900 coming which is way bigger, and I've tried an 840 which was mental on a wave but not that easy to pump.

Believe it or not, I think the 1051 is the most similar to the 899 in terms of early lift and turning - but it is noticeably more efficient and faster. I used to ride the 899/999/1099 so I am pretty certain of this comparison although the 1051 is now my smallest ART Pro. I also have the spitfire 900, and it turns more or less like the 1051 but is much less efficient and has much more low end. Nice foil but you probably want something smaller than the 900 if you are used to the 899.

When you say that the ART Pro 1051 is more similar to the ART 899, how is the low end? I ride the 899 often, but it's a workout. I would love something that fast, BUT with ever so slightly better low-end and more predictability. The 899 is fast and fun, but you have to be paying attention all the time. You have to keep your speed up... don't cross someone else's wake and be deliberate and precise in your moves, specially when carving aggressively. I find that at my weight of 83kg, it punishes mistakes much more so than the 999. I ride it really aggressive, but then after about an hour and a half I have to take a break and switch to the 999 to make things more mellow.

Essentially, I'd like something that's right in between the 899 and 999, or slightly above those.

So I've found that the 1051 has slightly but noticeable better low end than the 899. But the 899 is still better on a,wave, esp after I rounded the leading edges of the tips and thinned out the profile of the last 2cm. The 1051 is better at the bottom end, and is less flighty at its top end and easier to pump, but once in its (smaller) sweet spot, the 899 still has the goods. And with a skinny (45) compared to a 300p the pump is significantly better, at the expense of some carve, which I've managed a bit with a mast shim in the back. Negative shimming the skinny gives it another gear again. It's not that the low end is better, it's more to do with having extra time to deal with problems before I slow down too much, and less effort to get it going again giving an illusion of better low end.

Anyone used the 901 or 851 yet? I demo'd a 951 recently and found it had similar take-off requirements to my 799. I'm thinking a 901 might be a good fit for me for winging on flatter water in 18+kts wind.

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Stretchy said..
Anyone used the 901 or 851 yet? I demo'd a 951 recently and found it had similar take-off requirements to my 799. I'm thinking a 901 might be a good fit for me for winging on flatter water in 18+kts wind.

I had a very quick foil on the 851 in sub 15kn gusts before the wind dropped.
I am 74kg plus winter wetsuit and got foiling without a huge amount of pumping and jybed ok with good speed and glide. I doubt I could get on the foil at 12kn but once foiling 12kn seemed ok.
I also have the 951 and 1051 which I feel provide a good gap in sizing.