NicoDC said..
It's been 3 years since I had my last windfoil and windsurf sessions. Since then, I've been dedicated to winging. While winging is a lot off fun for and you can get going in crazy light conditions, it becomes a bit dull in lighter, flatter conditions after a while imo. Which makes me nostalgic to cruising on a windfoil set.
What's the current state of the art freeride gear like? I still got my 4.4 tot 5.8 freestyle sails, a custom 180x65cm 115l board and deep tuttle f-one levo carbon foil, as well as a variety of foiltrack wing foils (750 to 1450 ar7.8). The board doesn't have the best low end and there's a jp freefoil 115 for sale, which is more stretched so probably more suited. What would be a reasonable windrange for such a 70cm wide freeride board be with a 5.8 sail?
What is your feeling, motivation and kit to go windfoiling sub 15 knots?
I'm lucky to have lots of choices and I love them all.
7-20 kts VMG Race kit. 91cm wide board. HGO 8.0 (I'm small). Great for getting sessions when you don't see a white cap. Also great for actually going places. Even better because this set up has a big range and even when the wind shuts off, you get home. Some people hate big sails, I get that. But the feeling being totally powered on flat water is like powder snowskiing or riding a fast bike on smooth pavement: exhilarating.
11-23+ freeride kit. 195x75 board 15 yr old 5.4 freeride sail and 1100cm2 MA wing (smaller wings available). lots of hard carves, playing in puffs and working on transitions. Powered up, goes plenty fast and upwind well. Can pump through some pretty big lulls. I'd think the JP with a 5.8 would have a similar range. For higher wind, I step down in sail size down to a 3.4
10-20+ slalom kit. 83cm board and smaller foils (800, 680). zoom zoom. Sometimes, it's fun to go fast (or at least feel/pretend like it in my case).
In the 10-20 wind range, one thing my winging friends often comment on is how well I get upwind and hard and fast a windfoil will carve a jibe. I've got nothing against winging - I have a full quiver - but I can wring so much out of my kit and there's so much more I want to do that winging keeps getting put on the back burner.
Something to ponder is that something like an old JP 135 with a 6.5 (foil or 2 cam freeride) may give you more range and less overlap with your present gear.