It's been 3 years since I had my last windfoil and windsurf sessions. Since then, I've been dedicated to winging. While winging is a lot off fun for and you can get going in crazy light conditions, it becomes a bit dull in lighter, flatter conditions after a while imo. Which makes me nostalgic to cruising on a windfoil set.
What's the current state of the art freeride gear like? I still got my 4.4 tot 5.8 freestyle sails, a custom 180x65cm 115l board and deep tuttle f-one levo carbon foil, as well as a variety of foiltrack wing foils (750 to 1450 ar7.8). The board doesn't have the best low end and there's a jp freefoil 115 for sale, which is more stretched so probably more suited. What would be a reasonable windrange for such a 70cm wide freeride board be with a 5.8 sail?
What is your feeling, motivation and kit to go windfoiling sub 15 knots?
Select to expand quoteNicoDC said..
It's been 3 years since I had my last windfoil and windsurf sessions. Since then, I've been dedicated to winging. While winging is a lot off fun for and you can get going in crazy light conditions, it becomes a bit dull in lighter, flatter conditions after a while imo. Which makes me nostalgic to cruising on a windfoil set.
What's the current state of the art freeride gear like? I still got my 4.4 tot 5.8 freestyle sails, a custom 180x65cm 115l board and deep tuttle f-one levo carbon foil, as well as a variety of foiltrack wing foils (750 to 1450 ar7.8). The board doesn't have the best low end and there's a jp freefoil 115 for sale, which is more stretched so probably more suited. What would be a reasonable windrange for such a 70cm wide freeride board be with a 5.8 sail?
What is your feeling, motivation and kit to go windfoiling sub 15 knots?
I'm lucky to have lots of choices and I love them all.
7-20 kts VMG Race kit. 91cm wide board. HGO 8.0 (I'm small). Great for getting sessions when you don't see a white cap. Also great for actually going places. Even better because this set up has a big range and even when the wind shuts off, you get home. Some people hate big sails, I get that. But the feeling being totally powered on flat water is like powder snowskiing or riding a fast bike on smooth pavement: exhilarating.
11-23+ freeride kit. 195x75 board 15 yr old 5.4 freeride sail and 1100cm2 MA wing (smaller wings available). lots of hard carves, playing in puffs and working on transitions. Powered up, goes plenty fast and upwind well. Can pump through some pretty big lulls. I'd think the JP with a 5.8 would have a similar range. For higher wind, I step down in sail size down to a 3.4
10-20+ slalom kit. 83cm board and smaller foils (800, 680). zoom zoom. Sometimes, it's fun to go fast (or at least feel/pretend like it in my case).
In the 10-20 wind range, one thing my winging friends often comment on is how well I get upwind and hard and fast a windfoil will carve a jibe. I've got nothing against winging - I have a full quiver - but I can wring so much out of my kit and there's so much more I want to do that winging keeps getting put on the back burner.
Something to ponder is that something like an old JP 135 with a 6.5 (foil or 2 cam freeride) may give you more range and less overlap with your present gear.
Select to expand quotePaducah said..NicoDC said..
It's been 3 years since I had my last windfoil and windsurf sessions. Since then, I've been dedicated to winging. While winging is a lot off fun for and you can get going in crazy light conditions, it becomes a bit dull in lighter, flatter conditions after a while imo. Which makes me nostalgic to cruising on a windfoil set.
What's the current state of the art freeride gear like? I still got my 4.4 tot 5.8 freestyle sails, a custom 180x65cm 115l board and deep tuttle f-one levo carbon foil, as well as a variety of foiltrack wing foils (750 to 1450 ar7.8). The board doesn't have the best low end and there's a jp freefoil 115 for sale, which is more stretched so probably more suited. What would be a reasonable windrange for such a 70cm wide freeride board be with a 5.8 sail?
What is your feeling, motivation and kit to go windfoiling sub 15 knots?
I'm lucky to have lots of choices and I love them all.
7-20 kts VMG Race kit. 91cm wide board. HGO 8.0 (I'm small). Great for getting sessions when you don't see a white cap. Also great for actually going places. Even better because this set up has a big range and even when the wind shuts off, you get home. Some people hate big sails, I get that. But the feeling being totally powered on flat water is like powder snowskiing or riding a fast bike on smooth pavement: exhilarating.
11-23+ freeride kit. 195x75 board 15 yr old 5.4 freeride sail and 1100cm2 MA wing (smaller wings available). lots of hard carves, playing in puffs and working on transitions. Powered up, goes plenty fast and upwind well. Can pump through some pretty big lulls. I'd think the JP with a 5.8 would have a similar range. For higher wind, I step down in sail size down to a 3.4
10-20+ slalom kit. 83cm board and smaller foils (800, 680). zoom zoom. Sometimes, it's fun to go fast (or at least feel/pretend like it in my case).
In the 10-20 wind range, one thing my winging friends often comment on is how well I get upwind and hard and fast a windfoil will carve a jibe. I've got nothing against winging - I have a full quiver - but I can wring so much out of my kit and there's so much more I want to do that winging keeps getting put on the back burner.
Something to ponder is that something like an old JP 135 with a 6.5 (foil or 2 cam freeride) may give you more range and less overlap with your present gear.
Thanks for sharing. I get that regarding winging. It's a loose feel but to make the most out of it, you need to ride small kit.
any idea what the ss levitator v1 160l or fanatic stingray 140 2021 would be like? Not super keen on using bigger sails.
If you are competent on windsurf recommend 20+lltr body weight board (with tracks),, medium aspect foil (1300cm2)ish and 6m sail to start. As you improve down size sail size first.
For reference I am 85kg my go to in 12 knots is 111 ltr board, 4.8 sail, 1000cm2 foil. Note all foils are not created equal....
Select to expand quoteNicoDC said..
Thanks for sharing. I get that regarding winging. It's a loose feel but to make the most out of it, you need to ride small kit.
any idea what the ss levitator v1 160l or fanatic stingray 140 2021 would be like? Not super keen on using bigger sails.
I have the Stingray 140, and love the board for windfoiling. Currently I'm mostly winging since it takes me forever to learn the turns, but I always liked the light wind windfoil sessions best. The Stingray makes both tacks and slogging very easy. I can tack it all day and stay dry, and love the feel of being on the foil while pointing straight into the wind (although I always drop down when switching sides). I've used the Stingray both with beginner foils and with faster 800-1100 cm freeride and race foils. The 1100 FR was hit the sweet spot for me - plenty fast for my skills to be exciting even in light wind, but easier to get going in light wind.
I've used the Levitator 160 several times. With enough wind to get up, I thought it was ok, but I prefer the more stretched out outline of the Stingray. Feedback I've heard and seen from owners of the Stingray 140 tends to be very positive, while Levitator owners are more likely to talk about the next board they plan to buy.
Probably good to review this thread which covers a lot of the same ground and it's fresh and current. We're happy to answer more here if you wish. 
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/General-question--Pumping-style-vs--board-shape-to-get-up-in-minimum-winds
Select to expand quoteNicoDC said..
It's been 3 years since I had my last windfoil and windsurf sessions. Since then, I've been dedicated to winging. While winging is a lot off fun for and you can get going in crazy light conditions, it becomes a bit dull in lighter, flatter conditions after a while imo. Which makes me nostalgic to cruising on a windfoil set.
What's the current state of the art freeride gear like? I still got my 4.4 tot 5.8 freestyle sails, a custom 180x65cm 115l board and deep tuttle f-one levo carbon foil, as well as a variety of foiltrack wing foils (750 to 1450 ar7.8). The board doesn't have the best low end and there's a jp freefoil 115 for sale, which is more stretched so probably more suited. What would be a reasonable windrange for such a 70cm wide freeride board be with a 5.8 sail?
What is your feeling, motivation and kit to go windfoiling sub 15 knots?
Do you have a long fuse eg ~90cm, to go with your pedastal winging stuff?
Your custom board shouldn't be a barrier to getting going in light wind, you are gonna be limited by the foil options you have with your Tuttle stuff.
Pad summarized the two general options you have for windfoil well. You kind of need to decide which style you are leaning towards. Board width is much more important for the racier set up (big sails/smallish HA wings).
Re the levitator IMO it's a big guy (>100kg) light wind free ride board, it's not really intended to do the racier set up. If you are in the 80kg range you will do just as well with a 114 or 130 wizard
My DT foil is the f-one levo 900 which is 88cm from LE of the front wing to TE of the stab. Foil is more like 76. I'll try what I have for now, but the front wing of the f-one is right behind the back foot so probably to much lift.
Select to expand quoteNicoDC said..
My DT foil is the f-one levo 900 which is 88cm from LE of the front wing to TE of the stab. Foil is more like 76. I'll try what I have for now, but the front wing of the f-one is right behind the back foot so probably to much lift.
Looks like a great set up. I agree just go with the tuttle foil and board
