So, I’ve learned to wing with the Naish WingSurfer s26 and it has served it’s purpose. But it’s a 2021 design and if it was good by 2021’s standards (idk) it’s definitely not by now. I feel I can start riding my 5.3m when other people can go around with 4m wings, and I can barely go upwind with it on lower winds.
I will keep it for stronger winds and waves as I always like having gear that I don’t really fear of damaging, but I’m looking for something better for lighter winds without having to break the bank. I’m scrolling through second hand ads and would like to know if there are “ways” to see if something is worth it or not. For example, I wouldn’t buy a surfboard with FCS 1 fins as I know it’s too old and probably beaten up.
For wings, I’ve seen that windows and soft handles usually mean older models that I should discard, is there anything else?
Inflation pressure and a tight canopy. Even excluding exotic materials regular current season dacron wings are recomending 9-10 PSI. Makes a huge difference.
Tight canopy means less degradation. Any time a wing is going flappy flappy thats the fibers breaking dow leading to a stretched out bagged out sail. Also a tight canopy transfers power better when pumping. Look at the brand’s promo videos, look for flagged out conditions (like in the video above) and see how much the wing goes flap flap. Modern tight canopy wings just kind of sit there.
You’ll find that you’ll never use that Naish again. Give it to someone. Even a 2022 cab mantis (still available new for $250) wich has a tight canopy (but still old school infaltion pressure) will be lightyears better in both underpowered and overpowered conditions. I remember when i switched from that s26 trash to the cheap cheap cab mantis and i sailed the 6 M in 25 kts and it had a better top end than the 3M Naish.
New old stock is the way to go. Wings are disposable - don’t buy someone else’s trash unless you really trust them AND your financially prepared to replace the bladders after your first session.
Look for… if it handles well enough for the type of riding that you are after, and if it has the power to get you going. In 2021 the wings were pretty amazing already.
