What foil.

[Floating around]

Hi all,

I’m trying to decide on a new foil and kites. I would like some assistance.

A little background on my experience and ability level. I have been TT’ing on and off since about 2000. I’m just a lawn mower, nothing special.
Started foiling in 2018, but haven’t been on the water many times. Probably about 25 to 30 times all up. I can start directly on to the foil on port tack and quite quickly on Stbd. Very happy going up, across and off the wind. I have not yet made it around a jibe…. ¾ but never completed one. I expect another couple of sessions and I will get it. I have been using Gong strutless kites, mostly the 9m, I typically use it for everything (well over and underpowered) as I like the way it handles.
Foils, started strapless with a Nobile infinity foil and the all-around wing, I get on with it well but it is heavy and slow. I found a good deal on a North speedster and pro foil board, bought it on the spur of the moment. using it with front straps. I like the board but not so much the foil, feels a bit indirect and soft. Probably the very flexible fuselage. I have tried a Fone mirage 800 and their pocket board, with front straps. had a couple of hours on it. loved it! Smooth comfortable direct and effortless. Recently tried an RRD foil and board. I don’t remember the model, it was around 1500cm2 and on a 75cm mast. Good to try something different. I found that I don’t really enjoy cruising along at walking speed. Or feeling every little wave through the foil.
Why do I want some new kit? Well all my stuff is on the other side of the world and given the current world situation I don’t know when I will be able to get it. Plus who doesn’t want a shiny new carbon foil!

Leaning towards Moses or J shapes. I’m open to suggestions of other brands.

being able to keep things lite and packed down small is important to me as i travel quite a lot for work.

J shapes only has 2 foils, seems a bit limited. Love the full carbon low maintenance design. Very clean without the plate mount foil.

Moses, so many choices! Probably to many! I really don’t know what wing to go for. For sure the 90 cm mast and probably staying with just a kite fuselage. Was thinking about the newer style high aspect higher area wings, such as the 695 wing or even a 800. Or??? would they be suitable for my level? They seem to have a slightly higher low end than the 633, but much better top end? No thoughts on the rear wing till the front is decided.
Board, I would like to keep it short. I already have the north board ( 159cm) when I can get to it, so was thinking of the T35. A little shorter than the 120cm Fone that I tried. It never felt to short.

As for kites, I will get a 5m peak 4 to try. And probably a Gong single strut 9m. Any good and cheap single struts that are available from dealers in the US? Gong have to be shipped from France. Might not be a great idea at the moment.

Thanks for your help.

[windmaker]

If you enjoyed the Mirage 800 why not go for that? Never seen or tried a J shapes but having repaired a few foils here and there for friends can say that although they look good on the outside (shinny) Moses wings carbon layup (wood core?) construction is nowhere as good as F-One's which is solide pre preg carbon. Admitedly F-one's are also more expensive.

[Floating around]

Good point. I had thought about it a little. I’m not so convinced with the design of the foil system, the wing connection dose not seem great.
Just checked out there website and see that they have come out with a whole new range of foils. Guess there won’t be any reviews for a little while.
Main reason I was thinking of Moses is because of the wide range of wings available, lots of user reviews and relatively ok price.

[grigorib]

...

What’s your weight?

695/425 would be amazing combo
800/425 is better setup as long as you’re fine with wingspan

679/450 is awesome for heavier slower riders
633/450 is pretty awesome for 220+ lbs and extremely slow rides
790/450 would be the lowest end wing

You can substitute 450 with 425 stabilizer and expect slightly looser/faster feeling

You can substitute 425 with 421 or 420 if you can’t get a 425

[neilhapgood]

I can really rate the fone kit. I started on the Ic6 and then got the mirage 1000 to learn to gybe which worked a treat, then got the mirage 650 to get back to cruising with less drag and more glide which was a great wing. I then moved down again to the escape 510 for again less drag and just pure glide, I now use the mirage 1000 with a 4m gin maroubu (same as peak 4), amazing to use a big wing with these kites, and if on a 9m lei or 12m foil I love listening to some music on a waterproof mp3 and using the escape 510 for that effortless relaxing glide. I have dropped the board in the waves numerous times and a wave has taken it until the wing hits the sand with some force and none of the wings have a scratch, I appreciate sand isn't rock but they seem durable. Also you use the same stabiliser with all front wings, this may be normal now but when I bought it I was also considering moses but at the time you needed different stabilisers with different wings.

[Floating around]

Hi Grigorib,

Thanks for the detailed reply. Great info.

I weigh around 82KG.

W800. Regarding the wingspan, are you referring to breaching or is their other things to be aware of for larger wingspan wings?

My take on your reply is that for my weight and for general lawn mowing the W800 would be the best. if the wingspan is too much then the W695 is a good second? the others mentioned are better for heaver and/or slower riding?

Thanks again.

[grigorib]

Hi Grigorib,

Thanks for the detailed reply. Great info.

I weigh around 82KG.

W800. Regarding the wingspan, are you referring to breaching or is their other things to be aware of for larger wingspan wings?

My take on your reply is that for my weight and for general lawn mowing the W800 would be the best. if the wingspan is too much then the W695 is a good second? the others mentioned are better for heaver and/or slower riding?

Thanks again.

Wingspan of 800 wing is a concern in regards to breaching or running into bottom. 695 is amazing but 800 flies even better, yet 695 is “rounder” and less prone do damage.

For 82 kilos and optimized for travel weight pick between 695 and 800 on kite fuselage. If you want to add weight and lowend - 679 (on surf fuselage).
For a beginner I’d say 679 but at your expertise go for a kite fuselage and 695 or 800 with 425 stabilizer (421 or 420 if you can’t get 425)

You’d be comfortable on 590 or 671 wings too and they’d run faster top and cruising speeds but they don’t have as good lowend as 695 or 800

Kite wise - 5 and 7 UFOs are great. If you prefer having a strut - 6 and 8 Ghosts - these are quite light and pack tight for travel besides riding great

[Floating around]

Hi Neilhapgood,

Thanks for the first hand review.
I have been having a little look at online stores in the US, dosent seem to be much available at the moment. it is a shame as they are nice. I particularly like the new wing/fuselage design, tidy.
Your comment regarding the rear wing is something i have noticed about Moses, so many options and everyone seems to have a large collection of wings. VS the Fone or more so the J shapes with the limited choices. but people seem to be very happy with them.....

[Floating around]

Hi Grigorib,

Thanks for the edit and pictures. Great to see the 2 wings side by side.

[Janus]

I can suggest the brand Ketos, WaveXL as an allround wing with S2 rear wing (my first setup), pocket 118 is my board.
Im very impressed by the brand, people and the smooth feeling of the ride.
Very easy to mount and dismount, light and a great finish & workmanship.