Wing design seems to have been deeply modified to accomodate a shorter strut in the new model. Has anybody tested? How does it compare to 2026 version?

Nice report Yertle. Change from SLS to Dlab should probably make a diference.

Nice report Yertle. Change from SLS to Dlab should probably make a diference.

YertleTheTurtle said..
Alright, I had a great opportunity to test the low end. Again, comparing a 2025 SLS 6m with a 2027 D/Lab 5.5m, so take what you will. In maybe 8 knots, i immediately noticed it didn't have the same "grunt" as the 2025 6m. However, the smaller size allowed me to pump quite a bit harder (I'm 5'10"). I quickly figured out the required pump cadence (much faster) and found myself up on foil, no problem. Once on foil, the efficiency was obvious and I had a blast. I would caution that good pumping technique is required; I've had a lot of light air practice and even a year ago I think I would have struggled as my board pumping wasn't as good. I'd probably still advise beginner/intermediate towards larger and gruntier wings to get going in light wind.

Interesting! From what you say you see a higher efficiency on the new model but a harder take off in low winds.

I didn't reply initially as I also can't compare to 2026, having left my 2025 midseason SLS pinkies behind 🥲😄 I can second all above written. My home spot is a beautiful lake in the german alps with pure thermal winds. Gusts are my daily business accordingly. My biggest wing was and is a 5.5m SLS, so I stayed medium price level. First impression of the 27 is that it feels light when you pick it up. Also the handling on the beach comes with this lighter taste. On the water before any take off a really huge step forward is the brilliant panoramic view through the big and now ideally placed windows. I have to confess that I had not planned to sell the smaller sizes, as 5.5 is my approx. 70% to go, but once you've adapted to not needing to lift your wing to clear leeward, you won't accept anything else anymore.
The 25 5.5m had massive leech flutter in higher winds and heavy gusts, really lowd "pengs". Now 3 battens care for absolute silence. If a gust hits the 27 5.5m you instantly feel the pull forward/upwind. It absolutely stays composed, the upper limit seems endless. No backhand pressure at all. I have used the new 5.5 in far higher winds than its predecessor, nevertheless I prefer sailing smaller wings in their sweet spots. A friend a mine, who got his new Units 2 weeks before me had resumed: be aware, it's a Porsche !! He was right. But a handsome. I love how it behaves in small windswell. It's an upwind machine but can hide it's power next second and follow you like a "good boy" 🦮. Tacks are a dream, it cuts through windward pressure like a hot knife through butter.
Bad days at my home spot come with gusts which are not connected, so that pumping onto foil gets a frequent task. I guess here comes the price of the shorter strut/higher AR into play, as of course a 25 Unit had more grunt in its easy accessible kind. The 25 Unit nedeed a deep downwind angle to pull you up. The 27 also needs to go this direction BUT can completely loose its pull overriding a certain angle. Hard to explain. But as YertletheTurtle had stated above, not ideal in beginners hands. It's a Porsche. The gliding side of its low end, the kind of stall speed wingwise I'd rate very good though, as perfectly angled to the apparent wind, it keeps you on foil very very long ! This wing rewards you with lots of performance if you like to investigate its boundaries.