Agreed. It will be a quality wing for sure.

I had my 3rd session on the V2 4m today (30km mostly downwinder). Here are my thoughts but I can only compare to the V1. The new handles are very nice, they're much rounder and stand proud so easy to find when reaching under the sail and more comfortable while riding. The front de-power handle has moved a bit lower (missed it a few times when getting onto a wave) and is a bit skinny, this is my only fault with the wing so far. The pump up and deflate is much easier thanks to separate valves on the strut and leading edge. The window fabric feels very flexible even in the cold (I'm currently in Scotland the water is about 6 degrees) so I don't think you need to worry about it when folding. The windows are very close to the strut so you have to pull the wing down to see through them but I'm used to not having them so it doesn't bother me, they were handy to see the wave though when you accelerate down a wave and the wing flops in front. In terms of riding it's very very nice, the power is instantaneous (I'd say digital compared to the V1), I think I can start in a couple of knots lighter than the V1. There is much more load on the front handle now so the backhand doesn't get so tired when you're sheeted hard, this also keeps you going better downwind when you're between waves. I found I rarely switched to the de-power handle because the wing sits really nice when just held by the front. Overall the feeling is a noticeable step up from the V1 so I'll be interested to see the feedback compared to other new wings just out.

eppo said..

Grantmac said..
F-one and Ozone definitely had great V1 product. I'm not looking to upgrade my Wasp for a while although I can clearly point to the things about which I'd change.
PPC/Armstrong/etc weren't really on the V1 wave, more akin to V2 products and compared to most of the V1 stuff they are revolutionary.

But I think we are just going to see incremental changes from here on out, it's not going to be like windsurfing in the 80s with huge changes every year. Although I'm sure the manufacturers will try to spin it that way to generate upgrade sales.

Yeh I think you really totally correct above. Good points.

V3 wings are lighter

Grantmac said..

Goofcat said..

eppo said..

Grantmac said..
F-one and Ozone definitely had great V1 product. I'm not looking to upgrade my Wasp for a while although I can clearly point to the things about which I'd change.
PPC/Armstrong/etc weren't really on the V1 wave, more akin to V2 products and compared to most of the V1 stuff they are revolutionary.

But I think we are just going to see incremental changes from here on out, it's not going to be like windsurfing in the 80s with huge changes every year. Although I'm sure the manufacturers will try to spin it that way to generate upgrade sales.

Yeh I think you really totally correct above. Good points.

V3 wings are lighter

I'd rather they work on durability. These are turning into 12-18 month, at most, pieces of equipment.

Apart from punching a hole through a wing with a stabiliser and having a twisted bladder, I haven't had any issues with the equipment. I am mostly cruising around a lake or in small swell, so not much wave stress. I never dry my gear and I never stuff it back into the little bags either (roll them to the half inflated centre strut and stuff them in nylon tubes with a draw string top).

Apart from discolouration, I cannot see any wear or tear at all.

Gradient said..
I had my 3rd session on the V2 4m today (30km mostly downwinder). Here are my thoughts but I can only compare to the V1. The new handles are very nice, they're much rounder and stand proud so easy to find when reaching under the sail and more comfortable while riding. The front de-power handle has moved a bit lower (missed it a few times when getting onto a wave) and is a bit skinny, this is my only fault with the wing so far. The pump up and deflate is much easier thanks to separate valves on the strut and leading edge. The window fabric feels very flexible even in the cold (I'm currently in Scotland the water is about 6 degrees) so I don't think you need to worry about it when folding. The windows are very close to the strut so you have to pull the wing down to see through them but I'm used to not having them so it doesn't bother me, they were handy to see the wave though when you accelerate down a wave and the wing flops in front. In terms of riding it's very very nice, the power is instantaneous (I'd say digital compared to the V1), I think I can start in a couple of knots lighter than the V1. There is much more load on the front handle now so the backhand doesn't get so tired when you're sheeted hard, this also keeps you going better downwind when you're between waves. I found I rarely switched to the de-power handle because the wing sits really nice when just held by the front. Overall the feeling is a noticeable step up from the V1 so I'll be interested to see the feedback compared to other new wings just out.

Do you think you can get more even pressure on your arms on any wing just by moving your front hand back a handle, or is it in the design of the wing where the power is delivered ?

gription said..

bigtone667 said..


Apart from punching a hole through a wing with a stabiliser and having a twisted bladder, I haven't had any issues with the equipment. I am mostly cruising around a lake or in small swell, so not much wave stress. I never dry my gear and I never stuff it back into the little bags either (roll them to the half inflated centre strut and stuff them in nylon tubes with a draw string top).

Apart from discolouration, I cannot see any wear or tear at all.

Curious what you use for a bag? I would much prefer this way of packing my wings down when Im using them regularly.

A friend had a sail maker make a bunch of bags from 1.5m to 2.5m in length .... cost about $50 each. Diameter is probably around 30cm...... with a draw string end.

I dry the wings out (a very loose term) by simply standing them up against a wall.

eppo said..

kobo said..

Gradient said..
I had my 3rd session on the V2 4m today (30km mostly downwinder). Here are my thoughts but I can only compare to the V1. The new handles are very nice, they're much rounder and stand proud so easy to find when reaching under the sail and more comfortable while riding. The front de-power handle has moved a bit lower (missed it a few times when getting onto a wave) and is a bit skinny, this is my only fault with the wing so far. The pump up and deflate is much easier thanks to separate valves on the strut and leading edge. The window fabric feels very flexible even in the cold (I'm currently in Scotland the water is about 6 degrees) so I don't think you need to worry about it when folding. The windows are very close to the strut so you have to pull the wing down to see through them but I'm used to not having them so it doesn't bother me, they were handy to see the wave though when you accelerate down a wave and the wing flops in front. In terms of riding it's very very nice, the power is instantaneous (I'd say digital compared to the V1), I think I can start in a couple of knots lighter than the V1. There is much more load on the front handle now so the backhand doesn't get so tired when you're sheeted hard, this also keeps you going better downwind when you're between waves. I found I rarely switched to the de-power handle because the wing sits really nice when just held by the front. Overall the feeling is a noticeable step up from the V1 so I'll be interested to see the feedback compared to other new wings just out.

Do you think you can get more even pressure on your arms on any wing just by moving your front hand back a handle, or is it in the design of the wing where the power is delivered ?

Umm do you wing kobo ?

Yes I wing , but I've only owned a 4m V1 wasp and I generally Velcro strap a paddle onto the handles and use that as a boom for DW so I have a back up if the wing deflates when I'm several kms out to sea. I go on my own as no one is winging around here.With the paddle as a boom I find I can shimmy hands up and down to get balanced load on both arms ,which I find a little harder to do just using the handles.
So my question relates to the new V2 wasp and does it deliver the power more toward the front ( as in more camber forward ) so that it feels more balanced across both arms or are the handles just placed in a different position.No one with wings around here so I don't get to ask or compare any differences.

Ah soz I see now what you were asking.
it was a specific question regarding the balance of power across your two hands specifically for the wasp.


I know with 5m unit I had, handles 1 and 3 there more back hand pressure (too much) to haul it into the position for maximum haul upwind (as vertical as possible). 1 and 4 was more balanced in that you were sheeting the front handle in and out and the back could be locked into position.
The PPC wing I now use is very balanced at 1 and 3. Given the coming wasp is a new gen wing it makes sense the balance would be better distributed across the ha does where most users would use unless you are a 7 foot giant with a gorilla arm span.

eppo said..

bigtone667 said..

gription said..

bigtone667 said..


Apart from punching a hole through a wing with a stabiliser and having a twisted bladder, I haven't had any issues with the equipment. I am mostly cruising around a lake or in small swell, so not much wave stress. I never dry my gear and I never stuff it back into the little bags either (roll them to the half inflated centre strut and stuff them in nylon tubes with a draw string top).

Apart from discolouration, I cannot see any wear or tear at all.

Curious what you use for a bag? I would much prefer this way of packing my wings down when Im using them regularly.

A friend had a sail maker make a bunch of bags from 1.5m to 2.5m in length .... cost about $50 each. Diameter is probably around 30cm...... with a draw string end.

I dry the wings out (a very loose term) by simply standing them up against a wall.

So you re inflate them when you get home ??

Nope, just stand them up in the tubes and let them drain.

I do a similar thing where I drape the loosely rolled wing over my drying rack. Hanging overnight is usually enough to dry the dacron, handles and bladders.

The canopy usually dries while I am getting changed and packing my foil.

My last few sessions I have left the strut clipped and deflated the leading edge. I can bunch the wing under one arm and carry it with no risk of dropping it in the sand or getting water in the valve. The deflated wing sits fairly well on the grass to dry. I'm not sure there much benefit in leaving the wind inflated while it dries. In between sessions I eased the pressure in the strut but did not deflate it. That's enough to stop the retracting strut bladder without making things a pain to deal with.

The North Nova has strings attached to the front of the strut bladder to secure it. The Wasp V2 has a zipper at the front of the strut and places to secure the bladder so it doesn't fall down.

See the 37 minute mark on the video.

Got to test my 5m Wasp V2 today in 12 to 18 knots on Swan river in gusty SE winds. Wing ate it up and extremely light in hand/ and super neutral in flight- but sheet in or pump and instant power and float. Canopy is tight and rigid more like a contoured fixed wing when you pump up to 6psi. Way, way improved bottom-end compared to V1. V2 doesn't over-sheet at all and cranks up wind and then floats perfectly on bumps downwind. Build is next level. A very pretty wing. So easy to fly. Window's are surprisingly easy too see through( haven't really used windows before)and really liked them a lot, as the river was super busy today due to Easter weekend, with lots of large fast boats passing everywhere. New waist leash excellent. My only complaint is they have taken away the second front handle so you can't do powered bottom onto bumps or waves any more, ahhh... so you can really only float wing off front your hand in turns(boring as bro). IMO this is a big mistake and sucks for me the way I like to wing. I'm going have to work out a fix. Otherwise superb upgrade from V1. Winging just got way easier.

Waist leash just works

Yes that's a real shame about removing the second handle because the only forward handle is actually....too far forward. I struggled to find a nice balance. Not sure about those spongy kind of handles. At least they have added harness line loops which is an improvement.
However no scruff pad on the front handle which is too thin and floppy (same as v1) is a big let down.

Not particularly a fan of windows but this is the best practical window wing I've used. You just need to lift it up a bit and you get a nice wide view. Plus the windows can be folded. Much lighter than the duotone window material.

Canopy material is top ozone quality however the trailing edge where there's a double layer of the material tends to trap water for a while after a session.

Alysum said..
Worth noting that each end of the bladders in the strut and LE there's a tiny Velcro which attaches it to the wing. Supposed to prevent them from folding over which leads to bladders popping when you pump them. Hopefully this becomes industry standard.

Great idea