Since I already own some AFS gear I was thinking about the new Enduro 1600GLT.
I already tried the Enduro 1300, but for my weight, skill (and dock) its just too hard.
I was wondering if the AFS all carbon setup and fuselink connection are durable enough to withstand regular dockstart use. Has anyone broken their gear yet? It feels super durable for prone and winging, I’m just not sure about wings with a big span (wingspan of the 1600GLT is ~130 cm).
My other option would be to get the Axis 1300v2, but I would need to invest more money, since I only have the aluminium mast and would need everything else. Also I would need to carry two different setups on vacation
AFS clearly is on the more fragile side of foil brands, shitload of masts cracking even with small foils.
That being said, they also have a good after sale service.
For your usage, I would take AFS only if I have a good retailer close to me, and I accept potential downtime due to gears breaking.
And go with the 80cm mast, the 75cm is a noodle even with a 1100 cm2 wing.
Axis is much more robust and mature, it’s a brand that kinda specialized in unreasonably large foils a while ago.
I’ve not heard of any breakages with fuselink setup that didn’t appear to have some type of abuse/user error. Even then, its not many.
Earlier AFS apparently had a couple reports of breakage.
I personally ride my gear hard. Its been put through the paces going over the falls in double overhead surf, smashing into sand bars etc. I also pump quite a bit…
Not a single issue and I wouldn’t hesitate to dock start it.
Some other brands could be redundantly stronger, but they aren’t going to give you the same performance AFS does. I’d compare it to driving a Ferrari. Sure it won’t rock crawl like a jeep, but its way more fun to drive down the road.
I would trust afs , but in case you don’t , instead of going with axis, I’d suggest the code for dockstarting their setup is way more stiff than axis due to their monobloc design
Leaving this here to balance the impression. I’ve always found that after a year the Axis mast needs the foot recast, which explains why they have a tutorial. (I bought an old used AFS mast and it is still rock solid)
I have found the AFS Enduro 1300 to be the only tolerable big foil to ride, having ridden all of the Axis pump foils and hating them all pretty much equally, granted this is in the surf and downwind, but I do dockstart occasionally and started foiling on Axis dockstarting.
All foil tips are equally fragile and that is the only thing that regularly gets damaged, otherwise I think AFS, Code and Axis are all equally positioned as viable dockstart
I haven’t had any durability issues w my Afs kit other than wingtips (which is the nature of fine profile foils)
Heard that some (maybe most) of the mast issues were due to using incorrect hardware that didn’t seat far enough into the threads, or baseplate bolts that weren’t seated - which is why they switched to the weird button bolts. I have two of the older HM masts and ride them hard including jumping (and subpar landings) with zero issues.
Personally i would get the 1300 and send it rather than investing in a whole new system with its own potential shortcomings.
I would disagree with this. The Code connection between the mast and front wing can come loose over time and will require foil tape to make the socket snug again.
I haven’t tried the 1540S but I have tried the 1300S and the 1250R and wouldn’t recommend either to someone who is struggling to have fun with the E1300. I wouldn’t recommend the 1300S at all, but the 1250R is nice once you get it up to speed but it doesn’t like slow starts.
I don’t have any experience with AFS but I think the E1600 with the 80 cm UHM mast would be trustworthy, I would have a bit of worry about the strength of the carbon fuse but I think I would give it a chance.
The Axis 1300v2 is a good foil to learn dockstarts on but I didn’t find it amazing for flat water pumping and sold it and stuck to my 1401. You could get a used 1401 pretty cheap and it’s the better option for flat water IMO. The 1300v2 is a great LW SUP / parawing wing though, crazy easy to paddle / pump up. The 1400v2 is also another good option more suited to flat water. All the big Axis wings will be wobbly on the ALU mast, but they still work okay.
My recommendation would be a KT Atlas 1340 or maybe even 1130. I have 1340 and 960 personally and the 1340 has replaced my Axis gear. It’s got amazing low end, pitch stable, easy to pump, good pump/glide cycle and amazing turns. I wouldn’t hesitate to teach someone on it. The 1340 is a little bit wobbly on the 70 cm mast but it’s for sure stiff enough, the 960 is rock solid on it. Starting the 960 takes a few steps but it’s very doable, I wouldn’t suggest learning on it but you could if you were already proficient pumping it. I would put the 1340 startability equal to the Axis 1300v2 and every other stat better. I don’t have experience on the E1300 but from what I’ve read it’s probably a little bit easier to start than the Axis 1201 and I find the Atlas 960 about the same in startability as the 1201.
Also why do people keep recommending the E1300 when the OP has said he’s struggling with it and looking for something easier …
I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone breaking AFS gear even close to your weight. I’ve also only ever heard of the mast issue which was earlier in production and I believe remedied, never a breakage of the fuse. AFS is unrivaled in customer service as far as I know so even if something did happen you’ve got three years coverage. You could pick up the dockstart mast too, dirty cheap, absurdly rigid.
Agree with other AFS users here - have had zero issues other than user error damage (smashing into a rock at full speed). Even then, I’ve just had to sand down any damage until recently I smashed my Enduro 900 so hard into a rock I needed to use a little JB weld. Still rides great!
For reference, I ride my Enduro 1300/900/700 almost daily.
Buy the 1600 and send it! It’s literally designed exactly for dockstarting. And as others have said if anything happens AFS stands by their products more than most brands as they are the actual manufacturer and they take a ton of pride in that.
Good to hear that almost all of you don’t have any issues with AFS at all. I’ll go get the Enduro 1600 from my local dealer then!
I would have loved to make the E 1300 work for dockstart, but since my dock is very small (1-2 steps max.) and I don’t get to practice often, it is a very tedious process. Not good if you just want to have a bit of fun.
I had the Axis 1401 before. While it was easy and nice for pumping a straight line, I found it a bit cumbersome (and wobbly in combination with the alu mast).
I’m an every other day dock guy with the AFS 80UHM/1300 and now the 1600(wow). Love the glide, feels, and maneuverability of the Enduro foils for dock. They are very breach friendly. When I get an opportunity to catch a solid wake, the 1300 is surprisingly fun to surf a couple wakes back. Short fuse or long fuse, short tail position, your tail of choice. You will be very pleased with the bigger Enduro size. I downsized from the Axis 1150 to the AFS 1300 and yeah, it took me three sessions to get it started, so keep at it and you’ll get it down. The 1600 is definitely more forgiving than the 1300 to start. Get the UG41 tail, super stiff for how thin it is, fast, great glide, turns pretty good, but I prefer my Mako Glide v2 if I want to get turny.
Let me start this by saying I Love my AFS Enduro quiver i have 700,900,1100,1300… but i have managed to break an UHM 80 carbon last month, separating the bolts and inserts and almost lost my foil in micro 1-3’ surf not heavy just bumps, and i have unfortunately broken 2 fuselages one today again in dreamy small surf 1-2’ and a previous fuselage in similar conditions. Foildriving and pump practicing in very small waves both times the fuselages broke i was using Cedrus 80 surf mast. No jumping, nothing crazy and it wasn’t from crashing into a sandbar or rocks. My local retailer has been awesome about immediately replacing broken gear with new but i am seriously worried about using my 1300 and im nervous to break another fuselage. I may have been unlucky with the three items that broke. Im not even a serious ripper or a very big guy (190lbs) i do carve turns but nothing like the pros. Anyway be cautious about the AFS fuse and larger foils even in small surf. This is not intended to fuel any negativity about the brand i am beyond stoked on performance and feel.
