Debrief after first MA1750 wing session:
I just had my first MA1750 session in very light (3-10 knt guessing) side-off conditions (high tree line) that gradually picked up to steadier 15 knts briefly before backing off again. Used the 195 stab (new 180 arriving Monday) and took out the big 7M OR Glide and 86L DW board (65kgs here).
Starting off I was worried I wouldn't have enough wind, as I was literally scooping air to get forward speed, almost like slow SUP strokes. I can't really pump the 7M beast like my 5 and 4m wings, so I was thinking the 7M was a joke and pointless with big foil and efficient board.When there was the tiniest amount of positive pressure in the wing, not even enough to pump against, just a few rapid back hand pulls and a few front foot bounces and the DW board released and presto. There were no signs of a gust on the water.definitely the lightest take off for me to date!
The foil acelebrated to a cruising speed around 11 mph and handled really nicely, feeling very easy going and maneuverable for its size (same width than the HA1325). The low end is very impressive, as it looks like it gets on foil between 5-6.5 mph when looking at my stats. It is not a fast foil when paired with the 195 stab, with my speed maxing at 15.3 mph, with the main thing holding me back being the forward pitching moment (leaning back to keep nose up). I think the new HA tails have a bit of camber to help offset this, much like the MA tails. I tried removing the blue shim I was running, but that just made things slower. Despite being rather slow, it doesn't feel draggy. The vortices it throws off are crazy - after gybing and running though the first one I thought I hit a fish! Would hate to be caught behind one in a race!
Nailed all my toeside tacks, with so much time to make corrections it was a welcomed change from the smaller faster foils I often ride. Gybes were crazy, as I would be negative wind speed on many of them and pushing the big 7M around into the backwind as I was pumping. The 1325 would sometimes stall out in those scenarios, but no problem for the deeper chord of the 1750! 'Grave digging' is definitely easy to do with this wing, which will be great for pushing DW to correct mistakes. I ended up venturing the furthest from my launch to date this session, mostly because I knew there was almost no way I couldn't get back up on foil or have trouble going downwind. Heading back DW, I basically pumped the whole way for the workout and to sus the pump. Pumps great.
So far I'm stoked to have this wing in the quiver and I can't wait to send some DW attempts next week. This thing is also going to turn any slightest sea breeze into a ticket to wave ride!
Sorry for the long winded posts! Sometimes it's a good way to unwind.