Got 5.5 / 4.5 / 3.5 / 3.0. Wondering if 3.0 and 3.5 is too close, doing the same job basically.
chatgpt did the math :
- 3.5 -> 3.0 = only ~2 kt difference
- 3.5 -> 2.5 = ~4-5 kt difference
2 kt is less than gusts on any normal day, so it feels redundant. 3.5 + 2.5 would actually cover different wind range?
Counter argument: at low wind tight gaps make sense (underpowered = no foil, you sink). At high wind underpowered just means less fun, still riding. So maybe 3.0+3.5 is not worth it?
Does anyone actually feel a difference between 3.0 and 3.5 on water? Should I sell the 3.0 and get 2.5 for storm days?
thanks
Wing? Parawing?
Floater or sinker board?
What conditions do you see in your local area?
If you already have these, then you should be able to answer your question. Try the 3.5 on days you would normally go out on the 3.
Personally, I have one 3.5m wing that covers me for any conditions. Above 35 it can be a bit squirrelly for getting up, but I don't have these conditions often enough to carry a small wing (I used to have a 2.5m and got rid of it because I didn't use it).
Sorry, I should have been clearer. I wing on a floater board, planning to use 3 and 3.5 in Cabarete, it gets pretty windy there at times, peaking at 25+ knots
My idea is to go as small as possible on the inflatable wing size so I ride a 1300 sq cm front foil wing in any condition. For reference, I can easily fly 3.5m wing in 17 knots, so i wonder if 3m would cover the 22+ knots range or I should rather get a 2.5m
Thanks
Im 87Kg on an 85L ML and for higher wind strengths I have a 2.8 and 3.5 (different brands) and there is a noticeable difference in these. The 2.8 comes out when its really ON and gusty as its just easier to manage than the 3.5 and its usually windy enough that Im not trying to pump the wing to get on foil, its more about trying to hold the wing steady and pumping the board to get going/release. I also find that a bigger foil with more glide (CODE 860R or 680R ) is easier in super gusty conditions, as I can then focus on modulating my speed with the handwing instead of trying to keep a smaller, reactive foil under control as I get hit with big wind speed changes, wind driven chop etc
I have your exact quiver and I use them all. Depends on a lot of factors, but I would generally skew towards the 3 above ~25 knots or so (on a sinker) and while I've been lit on the 3m a handful of times, I haven't really needed anything smaller. Ive been to Cabarete a handful of times and haven't ever needed anything smalller than a 3.5m, but I never go in the summer when wind is heaviest.
I wing in the Columbia Gorge and have 5-4-3-2.5. I make it work but so often think how much I’d enjoy a 3.5 as I’m riding somewhat overpowered on my 4. Haven’t pulled the trigger (yet).
Select to expand quoteStumbleweed said..
I wing in the Columbia Gorge and have 5-4-3-2.5. I make it work but so often think how much I’d enjoy a 3.5 as I’m riding somewhat overpowered on my 4. Haven’t pulled the trigger (yet).
I wind up using the 3.5 a lot in the Gorge. Probably 30%/50%/20% for 4.5/3.5/3 when Im there.
My wing quiver is:
2m Strike v3
2.5m Ocean Rodeo Glide A
2.5m Ocean Rodeo Glide AA
3m Ocean Rodeo Glide AA
as an 86kg rider on a 68l or 77l midlength.
If you are looking to milk every last ounce of performance out of every single session then yes, having every size is great. I really don't think it's necessary though. Once you are riding 3.5m and smaller the gains of dropping a little bit of fabric here and there don't seem as valuable to me. If I was in your shoes I'd keep the sails you have and pick up a smaller foil for days when it's getting extra windy. That way you get the double benefit of if you trash your 3.5m one day you can probably force the 3m to work while you get a repair or replacement whereas a 2.5m will likely not save you if your 3.5 is dead.
I used to use a 5m for all conditions. Now switched to a 4.5m. Im 100kgs. I think you'll manage with either. 4.5m gets me 12-35+ knots of range.
Select to expand quoteWindMode said..
I used to use a 5m for all conditions. Now switched to a 4.5m. Im 100kgs. I think you'll manage with either. 4.5m gets me 12-35+ knots of range.
with the same front wing?
Select to expand quotecarlosk said..WindMode said..
I used to use a 5m for all conditions. Now switched to a 4.5m. Im 100kgs. I think you'll manage with either. 4.5m gets me 12-35+ knots of range.
with the same front wing?
Well, yes, I can do all those conditions with my F-One 1090cm2 Eagle, but above 17-18 knots or so I generally switch to a 750cm2 Sk8 because its allowed to jump with. The 1090 is quite handleable with the 4.5 in 35 knots though, not harder than the 750, maybe a little heavier on the arms but its still a fast foil.
I’m 75kg and have the exact same quiver as you. I find value in having the 3m.
Percentage wise it would be a big jump from 3.5 to 2.5.
Tony
In general, the stronger the wind, the smaller the gaps in the wing sizes. More recent wings do have more range, both bottom and top end. So you should be able to use a 3.5 in 30 knots, especially with a harness. But it depends on your goals. If you wish to use the smallest wing possible, then you should get both a 3.0 and a 2.5.
Chat GPT can't wing, so I don't believe it in this respect. As has been said, the difference between a 3.5 and a 2.8 is more than noticeable. So 2 knots between 2.5 and 3.0 is ridiculous.
if I were you, I would watch the days when your 3.0 becomes big/too big.
How many days are these?
Would you even want to wing them or are they welcome rest days, maybe even just scary?
I'm 90 kilos and when the 2.8 becomes too big, it depends a lot on the location and general conditions whether I find winging a clever idea. Open sea in cold water, gusty without sunshine in messy waves? Not for me. I'll chcken out and blame it on my age.
Summer, sunshine, flat water or swell? Give me a 2.5, 2.0 or 1.5 if that's the right size.
I find the gap between a 3.0 and 2.5 to be large enough that I wouldn't want a full 3.5 to 2.5 jump. I'd have a lot of awkward days where I'm either overpowered on a 3.5 or struggling to pump onto foil with the 2.5. My 3.0 is a Mantis and the 2.5 is a F-One Strike though, so that may account for some of it. For me, a three wing quiver of 4.0, 3.0, and 2.5 is perfect. If I had unlimited funds I'd get a 3.5 and a 5, but rarely miss it.
I have 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5 (so basically all sizes between 2 and 5).
I'm much lighter than you (65 kg) and think I could do without the 4.5 and 3.5.
In the small sizes however the difference feels much bigger. I couldn't do without the 2.5.
I started buying the 'in between sizes' when i was demolishing a lot of gear. My reasoning was that if you for example trash your 4.5 and have to wait for a week or so on repairs, you can at least rig a close size and have a good time. And the other benefit of course is that you can always rig the right size. It obviously costs a lot, but usage is spread between more wings, so i guess they'll last longer. Anyway, my advice would be, if you have the means, I'd do it. Especially for smaller sizes (depending on how often you sail high winds maybe).
I have both 3.5 and 2.9 (North). Like many have already said, in higher winds very useful. So I'll go a different direction, price. Wait for a clearance sale and pick up the 3.0, smaller sizes tend to not move as quick so they end up being discounted more often. Or go the used route, there are rich folks who will buy one of each size, then find out that they are not skilled enough to use the smaller ones, so they sell them on in near new conditions.
Hi Carlosk,
It might be a bit different for me as I'm 70kg, but I find a massive difference between 3.5 and 3. Given you're not scrawny like me, that difference might be a bit less noticeable for you. The big thing for me with small sizes is how much wind you need to get up on foil. If I take the 2.5 out, I'll need a gust of at least 15 knots to get flying. Take the 1.9, and that goes to 20 knots at minimum. Once up on foil, pumping the wing and foil gets me through most lulls. So I'd say chat GPT gives you some idea, but it's not necessarily dead right for you. As others have said, stick with what you have and see how it goes. Change if you find it's not quite right.
Hi Carlosk,
It might be a bit different for me as I'm 70kg, but I find a massive difference between 3.5 and 3. Given you're not scrawny like me, that difference might be a bit less noticeable for you. The big thing for me with small sizes is how much wind you need to get up on foil. If I take the 2.5 out, I'll need a gust of at least 15 knots to get flying. Take the 1.9, and that goes to 20 knots at minimum. Once up on foil, pumping the wing and foil gets me through most lulls. So I'd say chat GPT gives you some idea, but it's not necessarily dead right for you. As others have said, stick with what you have and see how it goes. Change if you find it's not quite right.
Select to expand quoteWhiteSalmon said..
I find the gap between a 3.0 and 2.5 to be large enough that I wouldn't want a full 3.5 to 2.5 jump. I'd have a lot of awkward days where I'm either overpowered on a 3.5 or struggling to pump onto foil with the 2.5. My 3.0 is a Mantis and the 2.5 is a F-One Strike though, so that may account for some of it. For me, a three wing quiver of 4.0, 3.0, and 2.5 is perfect. If I had unlimited funds I'd get a 3.5 and a 5, but rarely miss it.
The caveat is that wings even of the same brand and model can be different across different model years (not to mention the effect of wear if secondhand). For example, an older Mantis 3.0 that I tried (it was very high aspect model) was really gutless.
