Our Wingfoil Progression, Part 3
Part 1: Our Wing-foil board progression
Part 2: Our Foil package progression
Part 3: Our inflatable wings progression
Picking the right wing to learn on and progress our foiling has been fun. When we started in October 2021 until now October 2024, the industry has made big improvements with inflatable wing designs and construction. We purchased our first wings before purchasing boards and foils. I purchased a used Armstrong 6.0. Carol purchased a new Ozone Wasp v2, 5.0.
We took these wings to the park for dry land practice. This was a good move, we learned the feel of the wings, how to load it up, flag it out, move our hands around for a displacement jibe. All of this was time well spent in the park. I think we each had about three hours of dry land practice.
I found the Armstrong 6.0 was twitchy. Power on power, power off was not a smooth transition. Armstrong being a flatter shape it had a narrow groove. Think of sails; it was like having a flat main setup for 18-22 kts of wind. The Ozone was more like a main you set up for 6-10 kts of wind. A little deeper and more forgiving, that is why it felt good in our hands as beginners. Once I tried Carol’s Ozone I felt it was a better option. Remember our first wings are two generations ago in design and build.
I purchased an Ozone Wasp, v2, 6.0, and sold the Armstrong 6.0. The Ozone v2’s offered great low end power. The soft handles were all we knew at that time so they were fine.
Once we had our boards (see part 1) & foils (see part 2) we both used these wings to get to know the basics. They were a good starting point, all the way through smooth foiling.
As we progressed, and started going out in more wind an Ozone Wasp v2, 4.3 was added. This let both of us go down a size with more wind. We normally foil one size apart. Also this is why the 5.0 wings we shared blew out faster getting double use.
In spring 2022 I sold the Wasp, v2, 6.0 and purchased the Wasp, v3, 5.7. This was a newer shape making foiling in the lighter wind easier for me. The shape was a little flatter and stiffer showing we were starting our progression.
Back at this stage of wing development we could actually sell used wings. Now it is tough with a flooded market of used wings. Makes sense, most people who are selling wings have blow them out. Unless you just did not like it, which happened to us a few times, and then you might get a great deal. I suggest you hand hold any used wing you buy in person checking the wear, shape, and feel.
2022 we purchased a second v2, 5.0. We had just put so much time on the first one the leech was very soft. By the end of the season my Ozone 5.7 was getting soft and needed replacing. During the summer we spend a lot of time on our big gear. But we held on till the end of the season with what we had.
Next spring I purchased an F-One CWC 6.0. This wing has excellent low end power, and a huge range. I could get out of the water sooner than any other wing I have used. I used this a lot in 2023. Carol purchased an F-One Strike 2, 5.0 thinking this newer shape than the Ozone might be a big jump. Neither of us liked this wing at all, and we sold it with only a few sessions on it. So then Carol purchased an Armstrong v2, 5.5 which is huge for her, still having her Ozone 5.0 as a half step down. The 5.5 did a great job getting her out early. We also added an Ozone 3.0, which never had much use.
The second Ozone 5.0 was getting soft, but we held on to the end of the season. At this stage we were staring to appreciate the stiffer wings with nice leech and great low end power.
Fall 2023 I purchased two Armstrong XPS wings, a 5.3 & 4.6. These wings were a level above the last Ozone 5.7 I had. They were stiffer and flatter. Great for advanced riders which was not me at this time.
Spring 2024 we foiled in Antigua with the 2023 gear. Leaving Antigua we sold the F-One CWC 6.0, and Ozone Wasp V3, 4.3 with our boards so we needed two wings. Our foiling buddy Dan Neri lent Carol a North prototype 4.2 wing, and Carol loved it. While using the wing the leading edge blew up. See towing Carol. Not North’s fault at all this was a prototype that had a huge amount of abuse, and sessions on it with prototype material. But the good news Carol loved the feel, speed, and handling of the wing.
Dan let us know this was the 2023 North Nova. So Carol purchased 2023 North Nova 5.0 & 4.2. Both wings performed fantastic. The hard handles took no time at all for Carol to adjust too and like. One problem we have had with all the North 2023 Nova wings is the leech. We pumped up to recommended pressure and first day out the leech is fluttering, this is not fast, and wears out material quickly. Twice Carol tightened the leech line with advice from Dan, and after the second time it was better but not perfect. Dan recommended to go one pound of pressure above what is recommended on the wing, as he was doing. This makes a huge difference and the wings feel better with a lot less leech flutter. They still need to work on leech flutter.
At times I had the Armstrong XPS wings dialed in, and wow they were fast upwind. But the handles did not fit my hands. Very strange, but the handles were just beating up my hands, they were too small. So I sold them in the spring 2024 with very little time on them. I know a lot of people love these wings, but this is a good time to mention, you have to use what is right for you. We all don’t like the same gear.
Now I needed to replace the sizes I sold. I tried Carol’s Nova 4.2 in powered up 4.2 conditions and was very impressed. Handles were perfect for my hands, wing is balanced. You can see my review of the 2023 Nova 5.0 here. I went right away and purchased 5.0 & 4.2 Nova 2023 both in yellow. We like yellow or orange so we can be seen. Nothing stands out better on the water than my CWC 6.0 orange wing.
Once I got use to the hard handles (first time out) I purchased a 2023 Nova 6.0. This wing took some getting use to since it is so much heavier than my CWC 6.0. But the CWC has soft handles and once you use great hard handles, it is hard going back. A few times we were both out on the 4.2’s and Carol was way over powered, so she added the 2023 Nova 3.5 which fills the lineup. I have used this recently in 25-35 kts on a weekend Nor’Easter and I can tell you it is a great wing.
So that is were we stand now. Carol has 3.5, 4.2, 5.0 all 2023 North Nova, I have 4.2, 5.0, 6.0 2023 North Nova. All of those wings are yellow. I still have a 2022 F-One CWC 6.0 orange that I no longer use with 12 sessions on it. But does not seem to sell so I will keep it for a rainy day. To date we have owned 22 wings from Armstrong, F-One, North, Ozone. I am sure we will keep looking at different brands that have the right features and colors. But for now we are happy for the rest of this season and the start of next.
How long will the wings last. That is a question that only you can answer. If the wing is blow out and you still like it, enjoy. How many days do you wingfoil in a year? And in what conditions? We have been going about 120 days a year. With our big wings getting close to half that time. At 50 days I feel my wings are on their way out. But if it is the end of the season I will wait till spring and buy the previous year. This means our small wings will get a couple years use.
Leashes are a whole other subject. We both use waist leashes for board and wing. We don’t jump and do aerial tricks, to us it is all about the flow. I use a Dakine Fly harness with board leash off the back, and wing leash attached to the belt on the front. Carol uses both on the same waist leash. Some like wrist leash we do not.
There are so many option with boards, foils, wings, leashes, safety gear, and nothing is wrong, it is just what works best for you. Find what fits your sailing conditions, style, and have fun with the gear.
Lessons from using all of these wings:
- We feel .7 M^2 difference in size seems about right.
- I like to buy Yellow or Orange, or bright colors that are easy to see. Some manufacture have blue, and black which makes no sense to me. We have a lot of powerboats, sailboats, commercial traffic and you want to be seen. For other safety concerns, see my post on Wingfoil Safety.
- North hard handles are very nice, but we have not tried others. I am sure there are others that are great.
- Pumping up the wing an extra one pound of pressure is a good thing.
- Harness lines on the handles works well with dyneema. Lots of options and we both do it a different way. Find what works for you and make it easy to adjust. It is rare I use the harness even on long session. But when needed it nice to have it easy to hook in.
- We do not rinse our gear all season. They mostly dry while de-rigging. And being salt water it is ok for the wings, and of course Armstrong foils. That is not what is going to age the wing. Falling in the wing, pulling hard on the wing with a lot of water in it, poor packing will age it a lot quicker. If you rinse with fresh water you need make sure it dries or you will get mold. At the end of the season we wash everything, and let it dry, then store in a cool dry spot.
- Buy previous model year wings and save the money.
Thanks for reading,
See you soon, Paul