Hi everyone,
I would like to ask for your help / opinions in choosing a foil for cruising local lake (I live in Czech Republic / Europe) in the light wind days.

Conditions I would like to cover with new equipment:
- lake / flat water
- 8 - 10 kt (with some gusts not exceeding 12 knots)

Considering the purchase of:
- Aero Glide 1595 (to be able to get enough speed to glide or pump over windless windows)
or
- Starboard Glider mk2 1700

+ New Ventis 7.0

My current setup:
- Slick 6.0 (2023) / for 12-18 kt wind
- Unit 3.5 (2024) / 18+ kt wind
- Starboard 100 L board
- Starboard S-type 2400 (quickly losing speed in light wind)

More context:
This year is my 4th wing foil season. I can pump to get foil up / going. I still keep learning jibes without landing though.
I have 185 cm / 85 kgs.
No budget for new dw board this year.

What's your take on my choice, please?

Luke / CZ

Worth finding an earlier post about gear choice and Craig from Duotone added the 1595 wasn't really for winging,vrhe 1305 is.

FranP said..

Viri said..
Hi everyone,
I would like to ask for your help / opinions in choosing a foil for cruising local lake (I live in Czech Republic / Europe) in the light wind days.

Conditions I would like to cover with new equipment:
- lake / flat water
- 8 - 10 kt (with some gusts not exceeding 12 knots)

Considering the purchase of:
- Aero Glide 1595 (to be able to get enough speed to glide or pump over windless windows)
or
- Starboard Glider mk2 1700

+ New Ventis 7.0

My current setup:
- Slick 6.0 (2023) / for 12-18 kt wind
- Unit 3.5 (2024) / 18+ kt wind
- Starboard 100 L board
- Starboard S-type 2400 (quickly losing speed in light wind)

More context:
This year is my 4th wing foil season. I can pump to get foil up / going. I still keep learning jibes without landing though.
I have 185 cm / 85 kgs.
No budget for new dw board this year.

What's your take on my choice, please?

Luke / CZ

the Aero Glide, it's fast, perfect for lakes -no waves- easy lift and pump.... you might consider the 1305I'm 93Kg naked, 1.86m, intermediate rider, Duotone Unit 6m2 for low wind days I ride the Glide 1305 in a mid length board (6'4'' x 20'', 98L)

Thanks for sharing. What is the lightest wind you can get your 1305 going with 6m unit, please?

Hi Viri, the 1595 is primarily a foil for downwind/pump foiling. I have used it myself a few times with a downwind board 6'10" and 8sqm Ventis in conditions where Kites could not launch off the beach - so well below 10knots in the holes, I weigh 76kg's/5 yrs winging experience, usually riding Carve 850/1100, mainly Bayern Lakes, Garda, Cape Town.

It is a very big/high aspect wing, so needs quite some attention for light wind winging - but for sure very good lift, pump. But I don't think you need such a big size, for your 85kg's, the 1305 Glide should be more than big enough for the conditions you mention. If you want a bigger foil, then go for a Free 1500 or 1750, in lower aspect than the Glide 1595 - these will both be faster and easier to turn, maybe a slightly easier drop in size from your existing 2400. But with 4 yrs of winging, you should be able to handle the 1305 easily.

Personally at 10kg's lighter, with a 6.0 Unit, I would say I can get up in about 10-12 knots on the 1305, but can easily stay up then in 6-10knots - but you need a gust, with just about any foil, to actually get up and go. Everyone talks about getting going in sub 10knots winds, but you need to be really skilled to pump up without any higher gust.

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions. I got my 1305 Glide and 7.0 Ventis last week...and I took the 1305 out for a ride today with Slick 6.0 (2023) - 12 kt (16 kt gusts, lake with little chop).

I was a little nervous about switching from the LA 2400 to the HA 1300. It went better than I expected. The ability to get the foil up to the right speed, lift and maneuverability. It does exactly what I need - at the right speed I can easily get over the windows with little pumping in almost no wind (our lake is surrounded by trees that create little to no wind areas). Happy : )