Keep us posted on your x range thoughts. First thought was they seemed almost too similar to s series, but then again there wasn’t much I disliked about the s series. I’m probably after the 740, 965 or whatever it is for bay runs
Feels are very different to the s, don’t think they compare to any high aspect foils, x has way less glide, way better roll, more stable, more gentle lift, very neural footed and confidence inspiring
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Hey Steve, what x sizes and foil aspects have you tried so far? I’ve only had one day on a demo 810x under wing but haven’t tried it in the surf yet or with pw. I know you dw a lot up there so I’m curious if they have enough glide?
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After using the 810x, in my opinion the 810x would not be a very good wing for down winding unless the conditions were great. Lots of wings in the Code line up that would be better suited
I’ve had a few SUP dw bay runs on the 810x so far, ocean runs are shut down until spring when the wind trends south again, here’s my thoughts. good, solid short period conditions, it’s mental, surf your brains, plenty fast, easier to paddle up than the 850s, couldn’t believe how much fun it was and how hard I could push it. But… if conditions drop off and it’s a bit of a pump fest then it’s a wet dog. we have a pretty flat start on our bay runs similar to how Hood River tunnel 4 runs can be, accept usually it picks up by tunnel 5 and for us we have a good 2-3 miles before it get’s good. when you’re not tapped into energy you’re slowing down, it doesn’t glide anything like the code S or similar 10ish + aspect foils. that being said it does have way better low end than you’d think so you can co pretty slow and it’s fast so you can overtake bumps and at least carry a little bit of momentum. I’d love it if we didn’t have such a flat start, at 190+lbs in winter rubber and bay conditions I’m also on the heavier side for what I’m asking out of the 810. I have an 890 on the way at some point in the near future and I think that’s going to go a lot better for DW and I think the 985 will be fine too. I have a feeling the 810x will be fine in our normal ocean conditions, the glide is a sacrifice so you will have to think differently when downwinding compare to higher aspect foils but it’s totally doable and super fun. that being said it is my current foil of choice for bay downwind in proper conditions.
I’ve describe it as the best and worst foil I’ve ever ridden, which isn’t helpful for a lot of people lol but it’s because it can be a dog at times. For someone who wants glide dw and easy downwinding in all conditions, you don’t want this foil. if you want to surf as hard as you can downwind and are willing to sacrafice glide and maybe put some time in to learn some new technique and test / push your downwinding you’re going to love it. I love it for prone, one of our buddies was proning it and literally throwing spray like it’s a shortboard. personally can’t wait to get my hands on the 890x, it think that’s gonna be a killer daily driver for guys in my weight class who prioritize surf style tips out turns and hard carving both dw and prone.
I’ll reiterate that in the right conditions It was the most fun I’ve ever had on a dw run, unreal, rolls harder than the 720 and doesn’t lock in like the 720 does, way better low end too. pump fest conditions means you’re likely doing a lot of paddling and not a lot of foiling. any advanced foilers will enjoy it downwind, intermediate’s may find it more challenging and prefer the s. For prone it’s so user friendly any intermediate level rider can prone it, pump is easy and forgiving, I can grave dig on it which is impressive BUT.. you won’t cover much ground compared to the S foils so yes, it pumps, but it’s labor intensive and you’ll tire out a lot quicker but cardio and technique can fix those things to some extent.
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try a different brand tail and thank me later
Been hearing the flitelab tail is pretty good combo.
makes it twice as good
Great breakdown, thanks man! Sounds pretty awesome and I agree the bigger sizes may be money for us heavier riders.
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Which one and size?
I’m on my 2nd 142AR tail, about to replace it for a 3rd. Might try the Flitelab tail this time! Have you heard if it needs anything extra to fit? Or does it just bolt straight on?
What stabilizer donyou suggest?
It has a shim that needs altered, then bolts straight on I think. The shim has two bumps that need to be sanded flush.
I’ve not personally seen it fyi. Third hand info here.
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Ordered a 125. I’ll report back 
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too little nobs on the bottom hacksaw off and and file down. file front to back im on the 140 tail but i weight 90 kegs in a winter suit
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Should try the 707 why you are at it, makes it go even better 
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Tried the Flux fronts! Nice wings, but I like the X better 
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dont actually buy the flitelab tails they all started falling apart in my crew
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Little update on the X line. Originally on lift gear until about a year ago. (120ha 110 HA Florence 90ha). Then switched to code (720s 980s 680r) over the last year the 720 has been my daily driver. I prone, wing, and downwind sup it. It’s been a hammer for everything. Recently I grabbed the 740X from my local shop(green hat kiteboarding, yes that’s a plug). Iv now had a handful of session on it and I’m really liking it. Personally to me it seems to excel in everything the 720 was missing. Riding the 720 at speed I often felt I would get to locked in on a turn. And it was sometimes hard to whip it back the other way to complete the “round house” maneuver, with the 740x it’s feels much smoother and responsive at high speeds. With my old lift gear and with the 720s when I was doing fast turns I always felt like I was just holding on which was fun but I never truly felt in control. With the new 740x it feels much more in control and maneuverable rail to rail at either high or low speed. As for the pump ability 720s vs 740x I did not notice much loss of pump on the 740x. Yes it doesn’t glide as long but if you keep the speed where it should I had no problem a doing 3/4/5 for ones in the surf. The short and simple answer Iv found is the 740x is very similar to the 720s but the 740 excels in places the 720 was lacking without sacrificing much overall. I plan on using the 740x daily for prone, wing, parawing. And keeping the 720s for downwinding. With potential to use the 740x downwinding as well with nuking conditions.
Also one last thing. Tip breaching….740x handles that with ease!
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