Got my butt handed to me today in heavy, large, low period chop. Summer wind felt heavy but didn't pack a punch. I'm on a semi sinker board and I need maximum lift from a wing so I can get to standing and then pump up on foil. Which 5m - 6m modern wings are optimized for lift rather than performance?
I hate it when that happens. Looks like its nuking, gauges say it's nuking, the wind in your sail says it's definitely not nuking.
I've never flown a 5m or 6m wing but Cloud IX does a lot of light wind stuff and I always felt like my 3.5m and 4.2m from them had plenty of grunt. BRM is also known for being grunty.
The North Nova Pro has a lot of lift and low end grunt. The 5m had the punch of a 6m+ but they do feel big as well. Still an okay handling with flagging, tacking etc.
Depending on you foilsize you can consider sizing up the frontwing, or go for a slightly longer board. That both makes an huge diff as well in my experience (Being 188x97kg and riding a 90+56l board always in very short period windswell/windbumps).
I'm using the nova pro 3.5 / 4.2 and 5m. With boom. Compared to the previous nova V3. The pro feels light IMO. Tacking is easy, I really like the wing. Low end on the 5m is perfect.
Ozone Flow 5.7 works fine for that. Has a lot low end und easy power. You can feel it immediately, it wants to pull you up. Overall handling is also amazing. Could compare it with the 6.5 unit and the flow was easier to get going.
I'll second the Ozone Flow. At about 90kg with a sinker board (60L mid length) I use the 4.3M from 13 to 25 knots.
Remarkable wing with wide capture range that generates instant lift, very similar in that behavior to the F-one of old Strike V2.
Third for the Ozone Flow. I haven't used the big sizes, but the small sizes definitely punch above their weight for grunt. You often have to trade upwind for grunt, but the Flow also goes upwind great. I have a 4.3 Flux and a 3m Flow and the low end on the 3m is only slightly worse (2-3 knots) than the bigger Flux. Personally I prefer the Flux overall, but for grunt the Flow wins (and the longer front handle is great).
Select to expand quoteVelocicraptor said..
Third for the Ozone Flow. I haven't used the big sizes, but the small sizes definitely punch above their weight for grunt. You often have to trade upwind for grunt, but the Flow also goes upwind great. I have a 4.3 Flux and a 3m Flow and the low end on the 3m is only slightly worse (2-3 knots) than the bigger Flux. Personally I prefer the Flux overall, but for grunt the Flow wins (and the longer front handle is great).
Interesting! I have the 5m flux, and looking to get a smaller Ozone. Can't decide between Flux and flow, but thinking a small Flow will be great for waves and strong wind. Any other input on the differences?
The flux feels stiffer and extremely stable when overpowered. Also cranks upwind like no other wing I've used. Feels like the materials are a lot more premium and probably more durable vs the flow.
flow is gruntier, slightly worse upwind (although still quite good). I like the longer front handle on the flow a lot as you can balance it for one-handed riding. Pretty basic materials, but craftsmanship is still excellent - what you would expect from Ozone. Given the materials its kind of surprising they are so similar in price.
The luff handles are different on both, but I might prefer the flux. Flux luff handle is a bit bigger and easier to grab and neither is particularly stiff (biggest weakness of these wings). Ozone says the flow luff handle is semi-rigid, but its really not. Both wings luff really nicely, flow might be a little more stable, but I'm comparing different sizes and its splitting hairs.
You can ride a smaller size flow vs flux in any given wind condition given the grunt and less top end.
I have a 5.7 and 4.3 flux and 3m flow. I'm very happy with the quiver but if I did it again I might have been better off with a 5.7 flow for grunt and 4.3 and 3m flux since I ride these sizes overpowered more. Ive used a lot of wings and previously had Aluula OR Glides, but I definitely prefer these even though they weigh a lot more.
I agree with Velocicraptor on everything but the luff handle I much prefer the flow's.
For me the Flow is more suitable for wave riding and it's a more playful wing.
I've ridden the Flux from sizes 3-5.7.
If I had to build a quiver, Flow 5, Flux 4.3, Flow 3.6 or 3
The Flux 5.7 does not carry that moniker proudly, it a very sluggish wing and does not scream performance.
I would be more excited to see a LightForce 5.5 to complete the 6.6 and 7.7.
KT has HUGE low end size for size. Still handles overpowered conditions pretty well too!
I have 5.7, 4.3, 3.6, 3 flux, loads of power to get up and great at generating appearant wind. I think they're all about 10% bigger than stated when I've laid them over my old f ones. Awesome top ends too. I'm 83kg and spend most of my time on 4.3/3.6
Select to expand quoteJakeDawg69 said..
Got my butt handed to me today in heavy, large, low period chop. Summer wind felt heavy but didn't pack a punch. I'm on a semi sinker board and I need maximum lift from a wing so I can get to standing and then pump up on foil. Which 5m - 6m modern wings are optimized for lift rather than performance?
Never ridden one, but wasn't the Naish Matador range built specifically for low end grunt? Max grunt from the smallest wing, so wing-surfers can use the smallest size possible, since you only care about getting out to the waves, and not about speed/jumps etc.,
Another good option is the Slingwing V4 by SlingShot. Really good low end and top end is decent as well. Well made too.
The handles on this wing are the most ergonomic I've seen, especially if wearing gloves, though need a rubber bump to protect the board.
Select to expand quoteDTee said..JakeDawg69 said..
Got my butt handed to me today in heavy, large, low period chop. Summer wind felt heavy but didn't pack a punch. I'm on a semi sinker board and I need maximum lift from a wing so I can get to standing and then pump up on foil. Which 5m - 6m modern wings are optimized for lift rather than performance?
Never ridden one, but wasn't the Naish Matador range built specifically for low end grunt? Max grunt from the smallest wing, so wing-surfers can use the smallest size possible, since you only care about getting out to the waves, and not about speed/jumps etc.,
It def has huge grunt and flags great. I'm waiting on sale for the 2.0 w handles to pick one up for the surf.
