Anyone getting the Zaoli wing? First sale limited to 100 units.

Not sure. My biggest concern with the design is the zipper system. Will it be able to hold and sustain load such that canopy tension is not comprised? The canopy layout reminds me of the Takuma RS, which, IMO, is not a good wing. I don't know... Zaoli's execution could be brilliant.

I think it's just a polygon that assumes the shape of an ellipse.

Windbot said..
I had a windsurf sail called a MultiSail that had a zipper I could unzip to take it from a 5.0 down to a 4.4. It actually worked tremendously well for a broke teenage recreational sailor like me at the time, plus it made rerigging a cinch. For years I believed the industry eschewed the idea as it would have cut their sales in half.. I'm not sure what Zaoli's reasoning is for changing the sail surface, if it's to allow people to rig down or replace bagged out canopy? Either way, it's interesting.

Zaoli is marketing their replaceable canopy as being "economical" and "sustainable." The Dacron version starts at 1700 EUR and the Hookipa at 2200 EUR. IMO, Zaoli is trying to test the waters of the high-end wing market--and maybe open up the possibility of collaboration with a big brand.

paulweller2 said..

Windbot said..
I had a windsurf sail called a MultiSail that had a zipper I could unzip to take it from a 5.0 down to a 4.4. It actually worked tremendously well for a broke teenage recreational sailor like me at the time, plus it made rerigging a cinch. For years I believed the industry eschewed the idea as it would have cut their sales in half.. I'm not sure what Zaoli's reasoning is for changing the sail surface, if it's to allow people to rig down or replace bagged out canopy? Either way, it's interesting.

Zaoli is marketing their replaceable canopy as being "economical" and "sustainable." The Dacron version starts at 1700 EUR and the Hookipa at 2200 EUR. IMO, Zaoli is trying to test the waters of the high-end wing market--and maybe open up the possibility of collaboration with a big brand.

So the zip is the whole way round the leading edge ?
seems like will add weight and be a weak point

Here's a link, the sail had a detachable lower panel: www.winzurf.co.nz/co/com/multi/multi1.htm.

I get it with the sail just not on this wing? if it's to replace the whole canopy then surely you could just restitch a canopy in. if it's to adjust size then how does it work? I thought it might be the back panel coming off but still not seen any explanation ?

Windbot said..
Strange isn't it, I went to their website and they didn't offer any more information there either.

Zips are a really bad idea. They've got the least strength and they're putting it in the highest loaded spot.

Years ago, we made headsails with a zip across the foot. So you could swap between a smaller sail. It works, but you need to really beef up that section & the zip can't take load. Class 40's used to do the same with an A2/4. Zip across the foot, but this doesn't look anywhere near like that.
Not withstanding the screaming error - $4,700 AUD for a 7m.. Gonna be a no from me dog.

Grantmac said..
You would think some sort of lacing, plastic track and bolt rope or even Velcro would be a better option.

Velcro would be enough. Once one of the guys forgot to stitch a maxi batten pocket in. Did a 24hr race holding the batten under load just on the Velcro. Albeit 4" has a lot more surface to hold on than 20mm which is all your need for this. Keeping the shape as you go around corners might be a little tricky, but 100% can't stress enough that zip isn't a good solution.

Youngbreezy said..
Is it just me or does this look like a heavy overcomplicated mess?

Agreed.

Zaoali is an Italian big boat sail maker and there is a lot of wealth in this crowd. (think garages full of one off Lamborghinis and Ferraris). Anyone that needs to actually work, even as a dentist need not apply. Their kids of course want to learn winging.

Some the design ideas are pretty interesting with the elliptical leading edge and battens for flex control. It's not for me (yeah, too over complicated and probably heavy) but for racer types...

Given that the hand wing is the least important component in the system it's hard to justify any added expense there. Just look at what top riders can do with the Ozone product, probably the biggest turd on the market.