We are learning to downwind with the jet ski. Trying to jump through a few hoops before getting on a downwind board and paddling up. I've been using my Armstrong prone board 4-5. 1225MA 80 performance mast, 70/205. I've been getting some pretty long runs and learning to pull off onto the swell behind. 1225 is pretty lifty but seams to have good glide. 70 fuse is easier than the 60. Just interested in the different set up choices and other Armstrong riders experiences.

Armstrong are working on the larger Ma foils right now - prototyping 1475/1750 ish type sizes id say with view towards this DW game and dock starting. They arr also developing some "pumping foil" my son said that pumps forever - not sure what that is all about.


not sure pumping and linking on a prone board being pulled into via a jet ski is preparing you for much - maybe reading swells - but thats about it.



Even using the ski and getting slowly
pulled into with an actual downwind board might be a better solution - learn how to ride, pump and link a bigger / narrow DW board.


but ulitmately you gotta just put in the hard yards by the looks of it. cant be naffed myself - tried once and went F this lol. - watching this space though and cheering on mates taking the plunge. Respect.

I've been trying my 1325 with various tails and fuses with my 6'3 DW board. No luck paddling up sup or prone yet, but each attempt is one step closer. I've been limiting my first attempts to a tide against wind spot so a short walk upwind yields a bit longer downwind paddle into the current. I'm starting to think the current opposing wind may be making it more difficult to get up, as the peak speed generated seems more difficult to attain and errors in paddling technique is accentuated.
I've been winging with the same setup on those same days to work on bump reading and longer rides. I just can't wait to ditch the wing, as the wing makes it that much harder to change direction on a dime. The 1325 seems to work really well for my weight when up (65kgs). 70 fuse is a non starter for me with that wing span. The 60 and 50 have been my go to. 205 tail with two reds and an blue and 50 fuse is intriguing but need more sessions to dial it in.
I'm intrigued by the 1425 size ma, but that just might be too big for my weight. I'll need to demo the 1225 and 1425 to know for sure to see if they are better than the 1325 glide machine.

I've been using the 1550v2 with 232 tail as it's the biggest foil I've got and it's not bad at sea for linking up wind swells. I have paddled it up on river entrance current swell so I'm pretty sure I will be able to a sea also. I would prefer to use my HA1125 as the glide is much better for staying on foil in the bumps but also the stall speed is also higher so I don't think it will paddle up as easy. I'm considering 1325HA,1225 MA but I think I'll wait until the 1475, 1750 MA comes out.

Il try my 1325 next with the 60 fuse. The 1225 has a lot of lift and I'm 90kg. The bigger MA's may have to much lift.

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NICKKernow said..
The 1225 has a lot of lift and I'm 90kg. The bigger MA's may have to much lift.

I have a 1225 on the way so the idea that it might be plenty big for DW is encouraging. Based on my limited experience DW I would expect to need something bigger as a novice. Wonder how much of your opinion is biased from being towed in? I'm using a foildrive instead of a paddle so it may work for me as well? BTW if I had someone towing me into bumps I would be just fine with riding a prone board and never picking up a paddle again.

Here's a couple of pics of something new from Armstrong and what looks like a prototype foil..

Love the wooden stand..

WHS. we have been trying to keep the speed down when letting go of the rope and I'm presuming after we have gone some distance we have washed off that speed. When I get more consistent at reading the bumps and not falling in so much. I will get a downwind board. A bonus to the 1225 is it's great fun winging in light winds and small bumps. But who knows if it's the right wing for paddling up.