So, I have a (growing) collection of the latest/greatest surf wings. This morning I was too lazy to unpack/rig them so just grabbed the first wing and mast from the old “board room”. This wing i’ve been slightly disappointed with in the past. It did not provide the pump and turning I was looking for in small waves when I bought it 2 years ago. Today in glassy 2-3ft beachy it just put a massive smile on my face. Pumping as well as the awesome latest, greatest other surf wings, super low stall speed and even recovered from a tip breach without any fuss. It could be the DIY stiffened 75cm mast (previously only use it on 83cm older gen mast). Maybe it’s the odd combo on backfooted tail with a 1deg shim. No idea but it felt perfect, easy and fun.
Had a similar experience with another smaller wing in the same line - Hyper 150. Exhilarating speed, turning, accessible fun.
Both these wings I picked up for an absolute steal. And they will not be gathering dust anytime soon.
Not another Uni fanboy post - seriously interested if other’s experienced the same on any other gear. Stiffer mast or new tail combo revitalizing “old” wings. Or can a marginal progress in skills make “old” gear more fun?
I have the same 190, currently listed for sale after picking it up for a steal and selling for even more of a steal but zero interest. I didn’t love it winging nor prone as it just didn’t have much on the progression 140. Maybe I should give it another go as I didn’t give it too many sessions. I didn’t have such a good experience winging, instant bails on tip breaches and I think that was what settled it for me.
Interesting you mention the 140. That’s the other wing i had high hopes for but still not doing it for me. The 190 H1 was also on the way to the bargain bin, superceded by the amazing P170. Until today. Sam3 or better low end. Noice pitch stability and… Just very interesting how older gear with the right tuning can still produce the goods.
I broke a foil (and lost it) on a trip and had to borrow a Cabrinha Fusion (think it was an x1300). It had basically zero glide, but it could RIP a turn. I think it had an AR of 4, which I had never used before and it was fun for some things (and not fun for others). Point is that it is fun to try gear that is very different than what you are used to. As bad as that setup was, I think four days on that foil made me a better foiler.
Also, with several comments on the Hyper 190 above - I maintain that the H2 190 is an excellent foil that doesn’t get the love it deserves. I wouldn’t say the same of all sizes in the range, but the 190 seems to work well for a very broad spectrum of conditions and usages.
I feel this way about the V1 kujira foils. Yes, it’s taken me a while to cobble together (from used gear buys) my setup, but I love it. Good pump, glide, and stiffness (75kg). 1210, carbon T-bar mast, kd Marlin 14 tail w/ 0.25 shim (leading edge down). I DID end up “potting” the front wing to achieve a bomber fit.
For the past year, I’ve been mostly riding the Lift 150HAX. Just recently, I rode the Takuma Kujira 1095HA, for a week straight. It was set up with carbon T-bar mast, 13" KD marlin tail with 0.5 deg shim, leading edge up (less front foot pressure, less drag, more glide).
Compared to the Lift 150HA, the 1095HA turned very similar, easier to grave dig with the 1095HA. However, it takes slightly more energy to pump around on the 1095HA.
Considering that I couldn’t break through my pumping plateau until I learned how to dock start, my progression for the past year would not have been affected if I had just stuck with the 1095HA.
It is annoying that I have to re-apply teflon tape to the foil/fuselage connection on the 1095HA every few sessions. Not having to deal with the Takuma connection hassle is what really made the switch to 150HAX worthwhile.
Yeah I feel like foil design - not peaked - but least plateaued with the original kujira. We’ve gotten some new and novel combinations of area, span, aspect ratio, etc but it’s mostly been trade offs between turning, pump, glide, low end, etc. not a lot of foils are better at everything.
I sold my Kujira setup but I still think about it occasionally and wish I could take it out for a session Lift came out with Havoc, I thought that could be the right trade offs for great turns but haven’t had a chance to try it and don’t hear/see much about it.
I wonder how much experience plays a role in our enjoyment of “old” gear - being able to work around the design’s weaknesses and really milk it’s strengths. Learning to pump a mid aspect, working the pocket on slower wings, etc.
Lift came out with Havoc, I thought that could be the right trade offs for great turns but haven’t had a chance to try it and don’t hear/see much about it.