My Veloce L-H arrives today. No wind in the forecast but it's autumn here so that'll change.
Review: new Gong HM85 cm mast - gong fluid LT and Fluid XLT new fluid pro stab 45cm.
ok I wanted to upgrade to a more pro set. Here is my review.
First of all the GONG HM mast is a recommendation! Far better than the Aluminium V2 mast and other competitors. The difference? It fast and never wobbley, more safe at higher speeds. A solid base to increase your future level.
I'm 75kg's and bought a Fluid XLT(1550cm) for the lighter days and a Fluid H stab (45cm) and backordered a Fluid LT (1250)
The combo with the Fluid XLT was really easy to get going compared to my old low aspect (1600cm/Takuma) set. I thought it would be much more difficult with such a thin and higer aspect foil. just needed a bit more forward speed before lifting. Very good glide, in turns realy smooth but not tight (with 95cm wingspan). Easy and fast cruising between 12 and 20 knots of windspeed.
A month later I received the smaler Fluid LT. This one is a different ballgame. Fast, loose and thight turning. Wow this is my magic combo. Jibes, fast tacks and 360's no problemo! The difference in the windspeed to get going compared to the XLT is really small. Just 1 or 2 knots or just an extra pump. So this one will be my default set for now. A big recommendation! Maybe a little smaller stab in the future will work even better but for now this is great!
Select to expand quotesveng said..
Review: new Gong HM85 cm mast - gong fluid LT and Fluid XLT new fluid pro stab 45cm.
ok I wanted to upgrade to a more pro set. Here is my review.
First of all the GONG HM mast is a recommendation! Far better than the Aluminium V2 mast and other competitors. The difference? It fast and never wobbley, more safe at higher speeds. A solid base to increase your future level.
I'm 75kg's and bought a Fluid XLT(1550cm) for the lighter days and a Fluid H stab (45cm) and backordered a Fluid LT (1250)
The combo with the Fluid XLT was really easy to get going compared to my old low aspect (1600cm/Takuma) set. I thought it would be much more difficult with such a thin and higer aspect foil. just needed a bit more forward speed before lifting. Very good glide, in turns realy smooth but not tight (with 95cm wingspan). Easy and fast cruising between 12 and 20 knots of windspeed.
A month later I received the smaler Fluid LT. This one is a different ballgame. Fast, loose and thight turning. Wow this is my magic combo. Jibes, fast tacks and 360's no problemo! The difference in the windspeed to get going compared to the XLT is really small. Just 1 or 2 knots or just an extra pump. So this one will be my default set for now. A big recommendation! Maybe a little smaller stab in the future will work even better but for now this is great!
Just read this and it sounds like you and I are almost identical in size, gear and maybe even riding style. I'm also 75 kg and was riding the Fluid LT, HM 85 mast and Fluid H42 stab as my favorite everyday go-to foil rig. I briefly owned a Fluid High Aspect L front wing (as well as time on an ART 999) and decided HA's just didn't quite fit my riding style. With the new 2023 Fluid and Veloce mid aspect models just being released (and the old ones being discontinued), I figured it was time to take a chance on the new Fluid since I also liked the LT so much. Here to report that the new 2023 V2 Fluid L (1150 sq cm, 86cm span, 6.5 AR) I just bought did not disappoint at all. It felt a notch better than the Fluid LT in every important category; looseness, low end, glide, pumping, etc. I also ordered a 2023 Fluid XXL for light wind days to replace my 3 yr old Veloce XXL that I actually still occasionally use. I admire, but don't have enough interest in the new big ultra-wide foils or the long skinny boards all the Gongists are gushing over for light wind winging.
I know Gong is always gonna get bashed as "fan boy cultist". Let's face it, they are to the point of being a bit irritating, but their newest foil gear really performs well and that's all I care about (and the foil brand logo is generally buried underwater while riding anyway
).
This was my very first session on the 2023 V2 Fluid L. Felt great right from the get-go. Never thought my old guy main go-to foil would be this small but times have changed.
Update on my last review: due to my progression ;-) I also ordered a new and smaller 2023 Fluid M (950cm2) next to my 'older' Fluid LT (1250cm2 early 2023). And again, major improvements! More agile and fast. The glide and pumping/lift are even better compared to the Fluid LT. Even though it's a bit smaller ;-) It takes just a few extra knots to get going. From 14knots or so it's all ok. In general i use this Gong Fluid M now as my 'go to' foil on 7 out of 10 sessions. It's just more fun. Only in lower wind (12-16knots) I use my Fluid LT.
I use the 45cm fluid pro stab in the lighter winds and the 42 fluid pro stab from 16 knots and up!
have fun everyone!
