Hi All.
I have a Naish S26 5.3 as my one wing at min. im looking at a smaller wing to go with it. wind range I want to go out in will be 10-25 knts , I'm 80 kgs Just learning to get on foil.

question is, do I go for a 4m then replace the 5.3 with a 6 to cover the lighter wind days. Would that be to big of a gap? would I feel a big difference going from 5.3 to 6 In Lighter winds.

thanks for your thoughts.

I'd recommend getting the 3.6m to go with your 5.3m wing.

I started with 6m and 4m.Then 5m and 4m.Now waiting for 3.5 and 5m.I am 75kg suited up.

I think 6m is too big, as you get better at pumping up on foil a 5.3 will be fine for light conditions.I think i can pump harder on a 5 because a 6 touches the water too soon.

My 5m went for repairs and i have been forced to use the 4m for everything, it is kind of cool what you can get away with once you focus on pump technique.

Another thing to think about,in 5m wing half a meter increase/decrease will be less noticeable change than in a 4m.Less percentage of total area difference.
And lift depends on wind speed squared...so increasing wing sizes becomes less and less profitable(better low end) and more cumbersome above the 5m size IMHO.

For taller guys this sweet spot for max size/pumpability might be a 6m or more,of course.
But the pros tend to use ridiculously small sizes.

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DavidJohn said..
I'd recommend getting the 3.6m to go with your 5.3m wing.

Thanks for info. don't think I can get the Naish as no stock locally. Was thinking of the Ensis, they have a 3.5m, might have to look at that instead.

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mcrt said..
I started with 6m and 4m.Then 5m and 4m.Now waiting for 3.5 and 5m.I am 75kg suited up.

I think 6m is too big, as you get better at pumping up on foil a 5.3 will be fine for light conditions.I think i can pump harder on a 5 because a 6 touches the water too soon.

My 5m went for repairs and i have been forced to use the 4m for everything, it is kind of cool what you can get away with once you focus on pump technique.

Another thing to think about,in 5m wing half a meter increase/decrease will be less noticeable change than in a 4m.Less percentage of total area difference.
And lift depends on wind speed squared...so increasing wing sizes becomes less and less profitable(better low end) and more cumbersome above the 5m size IMHO.

For taller guys this sweet spot for max size/pumpability might be a 6m or more,of course.
But the pros tend to use ridiculously small sizes.

Thanks for info.

im prob 85kgs with all the kit on. Do you think the gaps should be around 1.5ms. im just starting out so hopefully as technique gets better low end increases.
Thanks.

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rgmacca said..

DavidJohn said..
I'd recommend getting the 3.6m to go with your 5.3m wing.

Thanks for info. don't think I can get the Naish as no stock locally. Was thinking of the Ensis, they have a 3.5m, might have to look at that instead.

3.5m would be good.. Where are you located?

I've had naish 5.3m and 3.6m for two seasons now and is a good combo. If you want to stick with Naish maybe consider the new 4m Matador as well. I'm a similar weight and the 3.6m is great for downwinding but a little more power for sailing back and forth is better IMO. Ensis 3.5 is probably good choice also, they are powerful for their stated sizes.

Ensis are powerful,3.5m could be spot on.
Wings have massive range.
Kane de Wilde says he can get on foil with his SUPdownwind board,3.5m and 6knots,but he is very good of course :)

Your local conditions matter, if you get plenty of 17-30kt days you will use that 3.5 a lot.

And the 5.3 from 10 to 20 no problem.
This are just guesstimates of what works for me,with a 1200cm2 foil ,i can tack and jibe,not much more.

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DavidJohn said..

rgmacca said..

DavidJohn said..
I'd recommend getting the 3.6m to go with your 5.3m wing.

Thanks for info. don't think I can get the Naish as no stock locally. Was thinking of the Ensis, they have a 3.5m, might have to look at that instead.

3.5m would be good.. Where are you located?

In the Uk, Edinburgh. wind here has been terrible this summer, non existent. Thinking about gearing up for the Autumn before they all sell out.

I have S26 6 and 4.2 and that works for me (I am tall and average weight for my height). I have a 3.6 from S25 for the days when it blows 25 or higher.

I am very happy with my Naish S25 5.3 and 3.6 combo.The 3.6 is my favorite, it works easily in 20kn and above for me (74kg). I took it in 30kn+ this week. I can get on foil in 18kn if I really focus on good pumping technique (and not shaking the wing like a monkey).