The progression project forum has a little bit of feedback. I'm eager to hear more too.
Have ordered but shop here in Perth saying we won't see them here til some time in January
I have a Nomad 830 for the last month. It is fairly easy to ride, fast with good glide and a low stall speed. It could be a one foil solution for many. My other foils are F one sk8 950 and 1150. The 830 is faster than the 950, turns quicker and can still compete with the 1150 at the low end. Everything feels solid. I think it is a good system and is a high performance foil.
I have the Atlas 960, 790, and 680, and I've done a downwinder on the 790 and a gutless surf session on the 960. I come from using Lift foils, where my daily driver was the 130/21 Florence, and I was also riding the 150 HAX and 180.
Yesterday, I did my first downwinder in winds blowing 20-25 knots, and I'm absolutely blown away by the 790/145. I literally can't describe how easily this foil takes off, just 3-4 strokes and you're up on foil! The flight felt incredibly predictable and easy. I was going fast with no concerns about breaching or falling. For the first time on a new foil, I felt like I had ridden it multiple times before.
In terms of speed, I think the 790 sits between the 130 and 150 HAX, faster than the 150, but maybe not quite as fast as the 130. I need to test it more to be sure. However, it turns better and safer than any foil I've ridden. You can push it hard without any worries. At my weight (80 kg), I think the 790 will be my go-to foil in winds up to 20 knots, and for anything above 20 knots, I'll switch to the 680.
I've also ridden the 960 with the 155 Nomad tail during a gutless surf session, and it performed fantastically. It has the same incredible characteristics as the 790: the take-off, turning, and pumping are phenomenal. I also tried the 960 with the small fuselage, and I really liked it, it makes the foil feel more lively. Next time, I plan to test it on a downwinder.
I believe these foils are a total game changer. They make the experience of foiling, specially downwind foiling, so much easier and allow you to push your limits with confidence. KD is a wizard!
I have the 790 Atlas with the 145 Atlas and 155 Nomad tail. The 790 is an amazing wing with a lot of lift for its size but it is also very fast for downwinding.
It is my go to wing for all conditions.
Was very fortunate to meet a fellow travelling from Canada that had a 980 Nomad that I was able to try - 85cm mast /65fuse/190 tail - first impressions compared to my 980S Code:
Nomad felt a bit slower & not as efficient as the 980S but this could have been due to the longer mast & bigger stab or camber ? (with Code I'm on the 80plus mast & 135R/AR150 tail).
Nomad was much easier to initiate turns than the 980S, should be a really fun wing to lay down some nice carves & felt like it would pump well once tuned correctly.
I'm about 75kg, thinking the 830 might be the size for me & a bigger Atlas to pump around on....no demos available atm.
Now, I have the 2025 Duotone Glide 2.0 750 to try, very nice looking setup & imo big step up in quality.
The short story
I'm 65, 87 kg and an intermediate.
I'm using a Gen1 FD+. At 87kg and in crappy Wellington waves and trying to prone in 20-30 knots the Sk8 1050 felt great but just didn't have enough low end and so was a bit unforgiving. The 1150 Sk8 solved that for the most part but still felt like a struggle at the low end. In decent waves the 1150 sk8 was fabulous in up to head high waves. Smooth and carvey and gorgeous.
The 980 and 830 nomad are a whole new world. Heaps of on-foil bottom end, pumping/gravedigging is light years easier. The 980 is about the same in terms of takeoff to the 1150 Sk8 ie it'll take off on flat water if I double paddle. The 830 needs only a little wave to get up and once up the pump feels almost as easy as the 980.
I loved the 1150 Sk8 and didn't expect the KTs to be a huge advantage, there's always another bloody unicorn foil on the market etc. I tried the Armstrong HA 980 and 880 and wasn't that impressed although my friends thought they were amazing.
I was ready to buy the 980 after the first minute, similarly with the 830. If I could only get 1 then it would be the 830 and then I'd only go out if there was a semblance of a wave. I wouldn't need much!
The detail
I'm running a FoilDrive+ Gen1 with a Magic Hub.
The KT rig was 63 cm fuselage, 190 nomad rear, 77 cm Carbon mast.
The F-one rig is 80 cm 14mm mast and 200 carve rear.
The board was an Amos Sultan prone, 5 foot/55 L/18 inches wide.
Further comments/questions may ensue where I posted this earlier today at:
forum.progressionproject.com/t/f-one-sk8-vs-kt-nomad-comparison/8100?u=tangogeoff
full vid coming . nearly done. Local rider has ridden both now.
DW and dock start.
www.instagram.com/reel/DEI759tTMMs/?igsh=MTUza2tiandueHE4Nw==
The KT gear has arrived in the far far west, and it's absolutely been worth the wait! Really cool to feel how much things have leveled up with these new designs.
Currently have the Atlas 1130 for river / dock / light wind dw sessions and the Atlas 790 for prone and 15 knots + downwind runs. Also the Atlas 170 and Nomad 155 tails.
Below link shows the Atlas 790 front and 170 rear flying in 18 knots Perth bumps.
www.instagram.com/reel/DEYvw0qyo4Z/?igsh=dThwMzcxc2p4YjRp
Select to expand quotetoppleover said..
Was very fortunate to meet a fellow travelling from Canada that had a 980 Nomad that I was able to try - 85cm mast /65fuse/190 tail - first impressions compared to my 980S Code:
Nomad felt a bit slower & not as efficient as the 980S but this could have been due to the longer mast & bigger stab or camber ? (with Code I'm on the 80plus mast & 135R/AR150 tail).
Nomad was much easier to initiate turns than the 980S, should be a really fun wing to lay down some nice carves & felt like it would pump well once tuned correctly.
I'm about 75kg, thinking the 830 might be the size for me & a bigger Atlas to pump around on....no demos available atm.
Now, I have the 2025 Duotone Glide 2.0 750 to try, very nice looking setup & imo big step up in quality.
Those duotones unibody look sick. How does it compare to code
Select to expand quotemeoweth said..toppleover said..
Was very fortunate to meet a fellow travelling from Canada that had a 980 Nomad that I was able to try - 85cm mast /65fuse/190 tail - first impressions compared to my 980S Code:
Nomad felt a bit slower & not as efficient as the 980S but this could have been due to the longer mast & bigger stab or camber ? (with Code I'm on the 80plus mast & 135R/AR150 tail).
Nomad was much easier to initiate turns than the 980S, should be a really fun wing to lay down some nice carves & felt like it would pump well once tuned correctly.
I'm about 75kg, thinking the 830 might be the size for me & a bigger Atlas to pump around on....no demos available atm.
Now, I have the 2025 Duotone Glide 2.0 750 to try, very nice looking setup & imo big step up in quality.
Those duotones unibody look sick. How does it compare to code
The Duotone DLAB quality & design is imo a step up from Code, have not had enough time to honestly compare performance.
Below is the full vid with a local rider going through his DW experience. Sam has also used the nomad now in the waves a few times and seems super stoked.
www.instagram.com/reel/DEo4aqCz_gO/?igsh=MXBjN2cxdGFka2syMA==
KT Atlas 960 performing effortlessly in light winds. Love it!
?si=sbkdR1q3gZpK_m2t
