320 posts
I'm 95kg, have a 6.5 Slingwing V3 and a 4.5. What should be my next wing down? Was thinking 3.5 but maybe should consider a 2.5 to gap it out. Anyone have any experience/thoughts on their smallest wing?
DC
877 posts
Im 80kg and my quiver is 7/5/3.5, which gets me from 10-30s and is probably my ideal three size quiver. That being said, I was pretty overpowered this past week on a 3.5 at mid/high 20s gusting mid/high 30s. It worked fine, but the gusts were a lot to manage. Given my current quiver, Im considering adding a 2.5.
If I were to start again with a 4 wing quiver it would be a 7/5/4/3 or an 8/5.5/4/3. I think high 20s gusting to high 30s or 40 would be okay for me on the 3 and given my conditions I probably don't need more high end than that.
If I were you (adjusting for weight) I would go with a 3, which should be an ok gap to the 4.5. I think 2.5 would be too much of a gap to the 4.5, unless you foresee some super high wind riding.
your foil quiver also makes a difference. I'm on two foils for most of my riding - so I get a lot more range than if I were only on one foil.
Just my $0.02
NSW
320 posts
Big one here, but are you also playing with mast positioning in the box? Dropping foil size? 4.5 is probably a good size, not too big.
If you're on 1800cm2 foil at the front of the box. yah you're overdoing it. 20 knots + on a bigger board, you need to shave power somewhere, so move back in the box, go a smaller foil. Even go -1 on your tail if you're already on a small foil. Get a mast shim and reduce foil AoA. The latter are some cheaper options which could save you $$$.
143 posts
I've found a 15-20% difference between sizes seems to be a comfortable step down for a quiver , without leaving you underdone if the wind is gusty. Which is why having a quiver in nice round 1m increments doesn't work so well when you get to the small sizes . Also depends on how much overlap you want. For my quiver my 5m tops out around 25kts, and my 3.5 only gets started at 25kts. So no overlap. I therefore have a 4ish metre size to give me the overlap
NSW
1559 posts
I think as you go to smaller wings the gaps need to be small. Think of it as a percentage difference.
6.5 to 4.5 is roughly 30%, 4.5 to 2.5 is almost 50% ...... I would be looking at 30% or less as you get smaller. So 4.5 to 3.5 would be fine, 4.5 to 2.5 would be too big.
WA
8131 posts
If you mix brands it gets even more complex. I have 6 and 5 Smik and a 3.8 and 2.8 PPC. The 5 and 3.8 are very close but the 3.8 and 2.8 are well spaced. PPC are over size so the 3.8 is at least 4.5 Smik size.
At 105kg I would, in a perfect world, go 6.5/5/3.8 same brand and Smik sizing and have a spare 5 for when I break the 5. It is the goldilocks size for my weight and the conditions I am out in 90% of the time.
WA
3509 posts
I think 3.5 would be good for you at 95kg
I'm 90kg and started with a 3.5 & 5 F One Swings then got a quiver of Smiks 4, 5 & 6 but still have the 3.5 F One.
There is a noticable difference in power and wind range between the 3.5 and 4 so the 3.5 still gets used occasionally.
Having a range of foil sizes helps too, these days when the wind picks up I am more likely to stay on my 4 for longer but use my smallest foil which is an ART899
