Postby Foil » Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:28 pm
I used the 590 new front wing whilst on holiday last week on Flag beach Fuerterventura.
I took along my 548 and 550 wings along with the 101 mast and 91 mast.
My time on the water which was every day was in mixed winds and water conditions, for 2 days I went out on my twintip as the conditions were to nasty for the foil.
On my first day out in 20 knts the waves had still not settled down which made for an interesting day on the tall mast and 590 wing, the rise out of the water was solid but then I found I was hitting the crest of many waves and had trouble maintaining height, after a few hours of sailing round and trying to figure out what was wrong I came in and changed back to my 548 wing,no such problems as with the 590, but I did notice the ride was much less stable on the 548, and the stall speed was noticeably higher.
Before getting to the beach the next day I bought a crosspoint screwdriver and removed all the 3 footstraps and moved them all back one hole,
The difference was immediate, the board sailed higher with even foot pressure, the set up felt so silky smooth like never before, speed was up there I believe, but was hard to believe as the ride was so smooth, but as I was blasting past twintips and windsurfers I just knew I was not going any slower than with my other wings.
On the other side of the speed dial I found it amazing just how slow I could go without stalling, this felt really weird being high on the foil and almost at a stop.
So to say there is a big difference I believe is correct, and it's a big difference.
For pure speed on flat water I don't know which wing will suit best, as I never got those conditions and I need my speed watch to confirm the difference.
But for now all is good, I am booking lessons when over there again in 2 weeks, Gunner who sails there is a pro foil boarder and simply amazing to watch, he reckons he can get me full foil tacking and gybing at full speed in a very short time.
Whilst there I got the chance to try out a Ozone Hyper link 9mtr(closed cell foil kite) I refused the demo at first as I have owned a few foil kites over the years and all were not up to the hype, but then when I came in for a drink later on and Pauline landed my 15 MTR Fone Breeze I noticed the said demo kite being taken out, I laughed and told Pauline to watch this as he will never get going with such a small kite, one dive of the kite and he was off like a shot, so I just had to try it, and I found it simply amazing to use, no power spikes like you get with a normal tube kite, the kite was quick, very quick, on the first run out I turned downwind and looped the kite both ways high on the foil and was amazed to find myself just using one hand to loop the kite, the smoothness just inspired confidence, I did turn for the beach later on but decided to just stay out and enjoy this amazing kite.
Before I left a few days later I ordered the same kite which will be waiting for me on my return to Flag beach in a few weeks.