Awesome… thanks for the info… just what I wanted to hear!
I’ve paddled and dock started etc with the 1675 on the A+ mast and IMO its pretty unruly without the PM
if you’re going to invest in the APF id definitely recommend the PM, especially for downwind it was difficult to control, even made balancing on the boat significantly harder do to wobble
Thanks for the info… I opted for the alloy mast and hoping that will give me the added stiffness!
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newdeal,
This is an older thread but did you ever get wake time on the apf 1675? I’m in the same scenario as you in respect to riding style and weight and am also considering changing over to an Armstrong setup with either the apf 1675 or 1880 foils for dock start, pumping and small wake surfing. I’d be curious how it worked out for you. Also, if your happy with the wkt board for that setup. Thanks!
Hey Niklus,
I’ve been riding the APF 1675 for just over a year now and can absolutely confirm that all the advice given to me above was spot on.
I’ve never ridden or seen the APF 1880 so I can’t give a hands on comparison, but based on the comments above and my experience with the 1675, I’m very glad that I went for the 1675 (I couldn’t imagine riding anything bigger like the 1880 - I would love to try just to see what it like, but I think it would be to much to handle for what I use it for).
The WKT board is great and I’m more than happy with it. Has allot of lift compared to my Axis Tray which helps with the pumping.
As an added note, if I had to compare my HS 1850 to my APF 1675, it’s like chalk and cheese. They are completely different rides and both have their pros and cons, but if you plan on pumping then the 1675 is hands down the way to go - It’s a beast.
The APF 1675 is massive compared to the HS 1850, and I think any bigger than the 1675 would be way to much.
Read all the above advice given to me because these guys hit the nail on the head.
Feel free to ask any other questions and i’ll do my best to assist.
Thank you for the feedback. I’ll go with 1675 based on your comments and all others posted here. I have quite a bit of time on the Axis PNG 1150 and some lower aspect wake/surf foils but I’m attracted Armstrong’s fuselage compatibility across their foil range. I’m curious to see how the APF compares to the Axis. Thanks again.
Looking forward to hearing some feedback and comparisons once you get the 1675 Armstrong.
BTW, since picking up an Armstrong APF-1350, I’ve sold my old APF-1675. Very little loss in low-end, and a slightly faster, more maneuverable foil for the weakest bay conditions, and flatwater popups. Still more ‘heads up’ to keep it down and in the water compared to the HA-1180, but a good ‘safety foil.’
For the past year I’ve been using the APF 1675 but also own the 1880. I’m only 160 pounds and the problem with the 1880 is once you get up it has a mind of its own to go left or right which can be hard to stop. The great thing about the 1880 is it taught me how to do flat water panel ups which then quickly translated to the 1675 and now to the 1350. If you’re over 90 kg like Armstrong recommends, then the 1880 may be a little better for you, but I definitely prefer the smaller ones.
Still happy with the 1675? Can you share your thoughts on pros and cons of the 1850 vs 1675. I’m looking for something for light wind winging that can get up in light winds and then pump during the lulls. Also would like to try DW with a paddle. Not sure if one foil is suitable for both
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Sorry I was so slow for a reply. I’m 160 pounds and I don’t need anything bigger than the 1350. It definitely pumps better than the 1675. And, it doesn’t do that side to side out of control that the bigger Foils do Love my 1350.
Hey guys, hoping for some advice. I’m about 94kg and I’ve been wing foiling for a few years on the armstrong hs 1860 and hs 1550. Just getting into wake foiling and im not able to drop the rope on these wings , when i do i just fall off the back of the wake, so I’m looking at a APF 1880 or possibility the 1675. Can anyone give me any guidance to how they would go behind a boat. The boat we have is big but not a wake boat. Thanks in advance
This could just be technique, if the wake is small you really need to be at the top of the mast to get the foil into the wave. Otherwise, the issue is that you’re too slow on those wings for the speed of the wave, I don’t think an APF would help with that.
Thanks mate, im sure my technique isn’t great.
I just cant seem to pump on the hs foils to stay with the wake
If you have an actual wake (foils are able to go behind the tiniest of wakes like PWCs) then you shouldn’t have to pump at all. The 1860 and 1550 should both work for you.
Are you on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd wake? Does the boat have an exposed prop? If not you just need to be driving towards the boat in the critical part of the wake.
Pump foils generally aren’t good on proper wakes. Something like the 1225 would be more suited.
Following up from an older post for anyone that may be interested. The Apf 1675 has been a great foil for wake surfing, pumping and learning to dock start. I’m 80kg and have lots of hours on it with great results from 1st wake to pumping around way back. I also have significant time on the Apf 1350, S1 1250 and HA 880 Armstrong foils for reference.
Koops, you would have no problem getting enough lift to surf just about any 1st/2nd wake on the 1675 if you have basic foiling skills to start and ride around with the rope. Your 1850 and 1550 should work but may be more dependent on the wake size, boat speed and technique.
The wide pump foils carve more deliberately and at a much lower cadence than smaller foils but offer the freedom to move around way back behind the boat once you calibrate to them and learn to pump a for short distances. They also don’t require an expensive ballasted wake boat to do so. I am mostly on a older v-drive ski boat with no ballast for reference. I have rode the 1675 on a tiny wake behind a jet ski as well and it’s doable but obviously not ideal.
On a related note, I had a few different brand foils starting out and would highly recommend Armstrong. The alloy mast system is great for those of any skill level unless cost is no object. The alloy system works very well and you can buy a few different lengths with an extra front front foil or some stabilizers with the money you save by not going with the carbon mast and fuse. Also, any Armstrong foil fits any Armstrong fuse which can’t be understated. It’s great for mixing an matching foils/fuses/masts or quick foil swaps during a session. I find for the average rider like myself, the ability to afford and try different configurations is far more fun than trying to pick one ultra high end setup to squeeze out the last 5% in performance that I’ll likely never achieve anyways.
@niklus How do you like the 1350 compared to the 1675? I learned how to dockstart on the 1675 and have used the 1880 and while I get longer runs on the 1880 I always seem to go back to the 1675 because it’s a bit faster and turns a little better. I find the 1880 a LITTLE draggy and harder to build speed back once you lose it, like after a turn. What is the 1350 like for dockstarting and pumping? Being the highest aspect of the three does it glide better at all? Any advice would be appreciated.
@Onyhr857 I felt the 1350 performed more or less as expected/advertised. It demands a bit more energy to pump than the 1675 but carves better in return. These tradeoffs are proportional in my opinion, there’s no free lunch or magic happening. Its likely similar to your 1880 to 1675 transition, just the next step down. The wind or swell powered guys probably have a stronger opinion but at wake speeds its not revolutionary for speed or glide.
Overall the 1350 is technically easier but physically harder to surf and pump. The 1675 required less push off speed to dockstart and required less energy to pump around. I can pump longer on the 1675 for sure. On the flip side, the 1350 was quicker, more intuitive and forgiving to carve on every wake. I got bucked less from a misjudgment on the 1350 but my legs definitely burned out quicker.
In the end I’ll probably sell the 1675 and keep the 1350 mostly because I’m the heaviest foil rider on the boat (80kg) and the only one who dockstarts. The 1350 is more than enough for the other 60-70kg wake surf riders. But if you only dockstart and pump, I don’t think the 1350 will be the best option of the three APF’s unless you are a lighter weight rider and/or have excellent fitness level.
I’d still like to try the 1880 or find a dedicated pumpfoil/freefoil strictly for dockstarting. If your thinking of selling your 1880, message me.
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