the aspect ratio mystery

[PrfctChaos]

Aspect ratio is only one out of a huge number of factors.

Fuselage length, stab size, stab tips and di/anhedral, position of mast to wing, wing area, wing dihedral, wing sweep, wing taper, wing camber line, wing thickness, wing LE diameter, wing washout, wing profile change towards the tips, and the list could go on and on.

But keeping all else the same and JUST increasing the aspect ratio is going to make it less willing to initiate the turn. That is the point.

And most of the high aspecs wings on the market at the moment are pretty flat (not much dihedral). Likely because the manufacturers are trying to minimise area and drag. It should be remembered that the main testing for the high aspect wings come from downwind SUP racing (Gofoil, Axis, Takuma), where they care about speed, low drag and not at all about turning ability.

[tegirinenashi]

There is nothing in the fancily shaped wing that makes it superior to flat wing. It might offset the center of the lift, perhaps, one centimetre, that's it. At the expense of increased drag. Arguably, adding that centimetre to the mast is much more efficient solution. The honest reason for curvy wing existence is that they look more "sophisticated", which warrants higher price. In couple years they will follow the "birdy" Naish kites -- to oblivion.

[jakemoore]

There is nothing in the fancily shaped wing that makes it superior to flat wing. ... In couple years they will follow the "birdy" Naish kites -- to oblivion.

Time will tell. I think it does something to keep the whole wing from ventilating at the same time.

Wing is Ketos Kool 1200 which has a small gull wing anhedral Wave XL is a little deeper and IMO a little more forgiving to ventilate the top surface.

[joriws]

Here is a lot of information on foil design by Mr. Gong.. AR, foil thickness, thickness location from LE, chord, stabilizator, hull, distances, carving etc..

https://www.gong-galaxy.com/en/magazine ... oil-range/

[TomW]

Basically its really complicated and interdependent.
If you are in first 2 years, just get a 1200cm2 foil and learn to fly all the time. Once you have 200 hours flying, you start geeking out and try something else, bigger or smaller and you'll feel the difference.
Personally, I dislike skatey feeling, i like my wing and stab to grip. But look at Stefano, that dude rips on a skatey foil. Carving vs slashing

[nixmatters]

can't figure it out.

By far the best answer to all your concerns:

Basically its really complicated and interdependent.
If you are in first 2 years, just get a 1200cm2 foil and learn to fly all the time. Once you have 200 hours flying, you start geeking out and try something else, bigger or smaller and you'll feel the difference.
Personally, I dislike skatey feeling, i like my wing and stab to grip. But look at Stefano, that dude rips on a skatey foil. Carving vs slashing