So today was much better than forecast,
Wind got up to 22 mph, sunny and decent swell to play on, although this held back the speed a bit.
3 hours on the 683s and 40 minutes on the 633 for comparison.
I have used the 633 for the last 13 months, and spent many hours getting the best from it, 3 to 4 days a week on average, in all conditions on open sea, I have nothing negative to say about the 633, I am on my 3rd wing, my first one was the heavy sup edition, my two newer 633 wings are the lighter versions,
I decided to go out straight out on the 683s with a 10 MTR to test the lift from the off in early light wind, the lift was instant, smooth punchy lift, straight up and away, within 10 minutes the wind got up, so it was back to shore for my 8mtr , the swell was up and conditions were awesome, smooth wave faces with glossy flat sections out deep,with larger faces close in with white water, spacing was perfect guessing around 12 to 15 seconds,
The superior speed of the 683s is immediately noticeable, made even better by the fact the wings stayed more level with a lot less pogo stick feeling over the swell, giving me confidence to push on, turns were - well not much different than the 633, but I have used the 633 for so long I have learnt how to get the best from it and find it very fast to carve anyways, so for me the turns are much the same, apart from the 683s will remind you it is wider when you try to really crank it hard and fast at the bottom of a wave, a few times the wing tip popped out and gave me warning to cool it,
But then after my first turn to toeside I was in disbelief at the difference to the 633,
Firstly the speed upwind was far superior, the angle felt higher, the control I had attacking the swell was on a different level that blew me away, then bearing away on toeside over the fast swells was so fast and controllable that I was driven to swear and giggle through the experience, it was incredible.
I just had to keep repeating the experience, even going close to shore In the white water, the 683s rode through the white foam without dropping me to the surface which the 633 will do just as well, but no better.
As for outright speed the conditions prevented me from pushing to the max,
But the GPS showed a top speed over the waves of 39 kmph against 32kmph, in the 683s favour,
I have had the 633 up to 40kmph in flatter conditions, so there is much faster speed to realise on the 683s when the conditions are met for outright speed,
When I jumped on the 633 for a direct comparison there was one small difference I had missed,not a fault, but feature, that became apparent using the 633, something I have never noticed before until today,
the 633 sort of shimmers ever so slightly when going upwind on toeside, I have never noticed this before, well not until today, the 683s just remains solid, mostly level and silky smooth.
So in summary
Imho
The 683s is a more refined 633.
All the best bits.
With smoother/more stable, more accessible speed,
A startling extra speed and stabilty bonus when blasting upwind on toeside, or at speed downwind over decent swell and waves.
Mast position exactly the same for both wings,
Hardly any difference in kite size required, but if pushed to confirm then maybe half a meter more required, which will suit me when the wind is really honking when without doubt the 683s will be my wing of choice,
I fell in about a dozen times whilst using the 683s over near 3 hours, and only once did the board sit on its side, but even then it rolled over before I got to it, I was using my 101 masts.